https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 04 Jun 2026 05:58:15 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568658 Thu, 16 Jun 2016 08:29:17 +0000 josina 2568658@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes to cereal, DS was low on iron at 12 months, but fine at his follow up. We did the iron supplements and Honey Nut or Fruit Cheerios. He would carry them around in a little snack cup constantly, loved them and no work involved for you so win-win. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568604 Thu, 16 Jun 2016 07:12:43 +0000 MrsSRS 2568604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another vote for iron fortified cereal. Serve it with a glass of orange juice (not the calcium fortified kind) because it helps with iron absorption. We also do a oj/spinach/berry/banana smoothies. After you blend just toss some water and soap in the blender, turn it on for a few seconds, then rinse. Keep offering beans! LOs often have to be exposed to food multiple times before they are willing to integrate it into their diets. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568572 Thu, 16 Jun 2016 05:44:48 +0000 cam 2568572@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I routinely add veggies (usually broccoli) and sometimes meat to LO's pasta sauce. I do it in the magic bullet so I just do his portion if we are all eating pasta </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568501 Wed, 15 Jun 2016 21:31:38 +0000 sapphire 2568501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>other ideas:beans esp black (THs makes a black bean flour pasta that LO loves), lentils (can make them into a muffin or I make a lentil/turkey meatloaf for LO), egg yolks (fry scramble or slices hard boiled), spinach in a muffin. We also give LO a mandarin or else a Vitamin C gummy with 1 meal per day to help iron absorption. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568498 Wed, 15 Jun 2016 21:27:15 +0000 MamaCate 2568498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: pinto beans and kidney beans have more iron than black beans. Black beans have a decent amount but we just had this discussion at my house. My LO loves to self feed them (rinsed from the can).</p> <p>My older DD is pickier about eating but she loves dipping things. So if we make hamburgers she won't eat them as is. But if it cut her burger into "meat sticks" (4 long strips), then she will pick them up with her hands, dip in ketchup, and eat. </p> <p>Oatmeal also has a ton of iron if that is something he will eat. Raisins are great too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568495 Wed, 15 Jun 2016 21:25:45 +0000 macintosh 2568495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>And btw The CNP didn't mention the dairy thing. I only heard this from researching on dr. Google! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568494 Wed, 15 Jun 2016 21:24:37 +0000 macintosh 2568494@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>These are some great suggestions! Look at this article I found after googling, duh</p> <p><a href="http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2013/01/08/boosting-the-iron-in-your-toddlers-diet" rel="nofollow">http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2013/01/08/boosting-the-iron-in-your-toddlers-diet</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568491 Wed, 15 Jun 2016 21:16:44 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2568491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The I'll try to find one of my old posts but dietary iron is really difficult when hemo is really low. One thing to try is buy one of the iron fortified grain cereals and add it to soft foods. Also fairy inhibits iron absorption so avoid it around the supplement especially. We had to give a supplement for Nearly two years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568489 Wed, 15 Jun 2016 21:15:04 +0000 irene 2568489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Cereals! Read all the boxes and buy the one that has the highest iron content. DS was low on iron too, and it got so bad at one point he would pass out from holding his breath from crying. Doc said it happens because he had an iron deficiency. Then I realized I seldom give him cereal. He actually grew out of it quickly after I started giving him more cereal. I am not sure if it was the cereal or if he grew up.</p> <p>Other than that, broccoli and spinach has iron right? Just have to do some research on Dr. google :) Try blending/pureeing some spinach (not a lot) and mix into the tomato sauce. The key is not a lot or they'd see and taste the difference. If he likes it and doesn't know the difference, then blend a bunch and freeze them in freezer cubes. Add 1-2 cubes (or whatever works for you) everyday when you make his pasta sauce. </p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568483 Wed, 15 Jun 2016 21:08:29 +0000 macintosh 2568483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: I'm only aware of results from the 2 tests, 6 weeks apart. I was a little surprised that they made me come in just for that follow up. I'm not too worried about it but of course I just want to make sure he's healthy. It's probably just the standard mom guilt for not providing the "optimal" nutrition for my boy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568463 Wed, 15 Jun 2016 20:43:56 +0000 regberadaisy 2568463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: how often have they checked his levels. What you told me on the other thread really isn't shockingly low. So, I wouldn't worry too much. FWIW my DD1 was around a 3.5 when we started at 9 months. But she also has thalassemia minor. So we made it our mission to include iron in every single meal! We literally started cooking everything in the cast iron. That really was when we saw the biggest jump!<br /> Spinach in smoothies, eggs (I hide them in mini quiche, meat near the bone has the most iron. Lamb has the highest iron content.<br /> American Red Cross has a great list. Iron from meat is more easily absorbed than iron from veg! Eating with vitamin c helps with absorption. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568441 Wed, 15 Jun 2016 20:20:35 +0000 Foodnerd81 2568441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Raisins actually have a decent amount of iron. They are one of my LOs favorite snacks. And we do dry fortified cereal, even Cheerios has some. We also put spinach or kale into fruit smoothies- for the blender I just rinse quickly then put it in the dishwasher. It's never really been an issue with cleaning it and I am not great at cleaning things right away. </p> <p>You could try different types of beans- mine will eat red kidney beans but not black beans. Not sure on the iron levels for each. </p> <p>And I don't really see anything wrong with fruit and veggie pouches. Keep offering the whole stuff but he will get the nutrients from pouches and the flavor, to some extent. Whatever. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568439 Wed, 15 Jun 2016 20:19:38 +0000 MrsRcCar 2568439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: we use a magic bullet or our regular blender. I think they both clean very easy. I also buy smoothies at least once a week from a smoothie shop. It's like a huge treat for them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568432 Wed, 15 Jun 2016 20:10:59 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2568432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: We have a magic bullet. It works ok depending on what you're trying to make. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568431 Wed, 15 Jun 2016 20:09:53 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2568431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ground beef, meatballs and meatloaf have always been a favorite for our kids. You can make in small servings and freeze the rest so you only pull out a batch at a time. You can make meatloaf in muffin pans. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568430 Wed, 15 Jun 2016 20:09:32 +0000 macintosh 2568430@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: what if I don't clean it right away? I can totally see that happening :silly: </p> <p>@NorthStar: thanks. He actually does love fruit, just not veggies. </p> <p>Anyone have a Magic Bullet? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568425 Wed, 15 Jun 2016 20:06:07 +0000 gingerbebe 2568425@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Blackstrap molasses is a good source of iron too. You might be able to make him "special milk" by mixing some into his milk to sweeten it up. You can also mix it into his maple syrup or pancake syrup or basically anything that needs a little sweetness, like oatmeal or yogurt or whatever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568420 Wed, 15 Jun 2016 20:04:35 +0000 NorthStar 2568420@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: Smoothies are a great way to sneak in stuff. I've done spinach, avocado, chia seeds and other items. You can get a cheap blender, have the fruit or other frozen stuff not as solid (I microwave a few seconds) so that it blends ok. It's really not that hard to clean and if it gives him the nutrients he needs, why not? Then he could also get some fruit in his diet since you said that he won't eat any. Good luck! I know how hard it can be.. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568415 Wed, 15 Jun 2016 20:02:57 +0000 erinbaderin 2568415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: For what it's worth, a blender is very easy to clean - put some warm water and a few drops of dish soap in it and run it for a minute. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568411 Wed, 15 Jun 2016 19:59:42 +0000 macintosh 2568411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ocean81: those look good, but I'm so afraid I'll make something and he'll just throw it on the floor.</p> <p>@MrsRcCar: I grabbed a tasty green smoothie from Red Mango the other day and he did like it. I don't own a blender and I'm hesitant to buy one and then have to worry about cleaning it. Sorry I sound so negative.</p> <p>@Tanjowen: I think I saw him eat one black bean last time I served them. I've done "refried" black beans in a quesadilla but he refused it,</p> <p>@sunny: good idea on the pasta! Is there a certain brand I should look for?</p> <p>@skipra: I do use cast iron already, it's my main cooking vessel. he will eat dry cereal, so I'll look for some with extra iron. I wondered about the dairy interaction. He loves his milk, drinks it with every meal. I guess I can switch out w cup of milk for water or if he's having the iron. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568397 Wed, 15 Jun 2016 19:47:44 +0000 skipra 2568397@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Could you cook on cast iron more? Like for pancakes, grilled sandwiches, even heating up pasta sauce.<br /> You could also try a dry cereal fortified with iron, like Total as a snack with some fruit or oj.<br /> Try to limit dairy whenever you are able to get him to eat something with iron. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568396 Wed, 15 Jun 2016 19:46:50 +0000 sunny 2568396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about iron fortified pastas or cereal? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568394 Wed, 15 Jun 2016 19:46:09 +0000 Tanjowen 2568394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: Is he willing to eat black beans? One of the few.foods my LO will willingly eat are black beans and I serve them straight out of the can. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568393 Wed, 15 Jun 2016 19:45:00 +0000 MrsRcCar 2568393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Will your LO drink smoothies? I have been successful in sneaking more iron rich veggies in smoothies for my boys. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568391 Wed, 15 Jun 2016 19:41:40 +0000 ocean81 2568391@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is SO easy and fast to make and I feel like the cheese hides the spinach. My 14 month old loves them.</p> <p><a href="http://www.onesmileymonkey.com/recipes-2/easy-to-make-spinach-nuggets-recipe/" rel="nofollow">http://www.onesmileymonkey.com/recipes-2/easy-to-make-spinach-nuggets-recipe/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/iron-rich-foods-for-toddler#post-2568385 Wed, 15 Jun 2016 19:31:54 +0000 macintosh 2568385@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS still has low hemoglobin, even though he's taking an iron supplement. He was BLW and very into controlling what goes in his mouth. He won't try anything unless it's his idea. This means he currently refuses all meat and veggies.</p> <p>I resorted to buying some veggie pouches but I'd rather he eats real food. I'm willing to sneak veggies into our meals, but my DH is vegetarian so I can't sneak meat. I tried make my cheeseburgers while DH eats a veggie burger and DS won't even try a bite.</p> <p>Things he likes for dinner include pasta with tomato sauce, grilled cheese sandwiches, Mac n cheese. He will sometimes eat pizza, tofu, and pieces of veggie hotdogs. I have NO time to cook so I rely on a lot of quick packaged stuff. Any suggestions? </p>