With iron deficiency prevelant in our community, TheSource.com’s HH 101 shows you how to supplement your iron
By Nakeasha Johnson
The beauty of hood health is that it approaches health and diet from a simplified perspective. The concept a healthy diet seems only to be accessible to the wealthy and this is a huge misconception. Being healthy is not as complicated as society would have you think. It’s about approaching everything from a step-by-step perspective. It took months or years to become unhealthy, and conversely it will take time to get back to being healthy. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the proper diet can prevent many ailments. Something as simple as using the food in your fridge or the spices in your cabinet can make all the difference.
Foods that contain iron:
Green Leafy Vegetables, Whole Grains, Enriched Whole Grain Breads and Cereals, Avocados, Beets, Blackstrap Molasses, Brewer’s Yeast, Dulse, Kelp, Kidney Beans, Lima Beans, Millet, Parsley, Peaches, Pears, Pumpkins, Raisins, Brown Rice and Wheat Bran, Sesame Seeds, Soybeans, Black Beans, Prune Juice, Raisins, Lentils, Pinto Beans, Tofu, Eyed Peas, Peas, Oatmeal
Spices that contain iron:
Thyme, Parsley, Spearmint, Marjoram, Cumin, Dill Weed, Celery Seed, Oregano, Bay Leaf, Basil, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Anise Seed, Tarragon, Curry Powder, Rosemary, Black Pepper, Sage, Paprika, Pumpkin Pie Spice, Fennel Seed, Coriander Seed, Chili Powder, Ginger, Cloves, Peppermint, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder
For the sake of this article we will keep the list of the foods and spices rather short. With this information you can began to plan meals using combinations of these foods and spices. Listed below are a few of the combinations that I use.
• Kale seasoned with Curry, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, and Sea Salt
• Black-Eyed Peas seasoned with Onion Power, Garlic Powder, Sea Salt and Black Pepper
• Oatmeal with Raisins/Pumpkin Seeds/Pears, or Peaches
• Curry Lentils
• Cabbage seasoned with Sea Salt and Pepper
• Cabbage and Peas seasoned with Curry Powder, Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper, Cumin, Coriander, and Fennel Seed.
Have fun experimenting with different combinations. The more ingredients that you can get into one dish the better. I am not saying that eating a diet rich in iron will definitely prevent or alleviate issues like anemia (iron deficiency) or others. I am however saying that it does make a difference and I am proof of that. There are also a slew of herbs that contain high amounts of iron that you can look into as well. I choose the things that I thought you more than likely would have in your refrigerator or cupboard. Follow me on Instagram at MELANATED_BEAUTY to see pictures of my dishes or for more recipe ideas.
