Ask Mary

Assuming you have iron deficiency anemia, you need to eat more of the following high iron foods: Liver, lean red meat, shellfish, egg yolks, salmon and tuna, and poultry, as well as dried beans and lentils, iron-fortified cereal and starches, dried fruit, and green leafy vegetables.  In addition, do not drink tea with meals because it reduces iron absorption, but eat a source of vitamin C because it increases iron absorption.  Also increase your protein intake because iron and protein are intimately involved.  In addition, your doctor will want you to take a daily iron supplement.