Jakarta, MISTAR.ID
Iron deficiency anemia is now not a bad thing that is difficult to treat, including that which occurs in children. The use of supplements, vitamins, and baby foods rich in iron can be recommended to treat anemia in children or toddlers. In addition, there are also blood-boosting foods that can be included in the food consumed by children.
Here are some blood-boosting foods that can be given to children with anemia:
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a nutritious snack that many toddlers love and one cup of oatmeal contains 4.5 to 6.6 milligrams (mg) of iron. Oatmeal is also rich in fiber, making it an excellent choice for children with stomach or digestive problems, including constipation. You can add a sprinkling of cinnamon powder and a pinch of brown sugar on top of the oatmeal to make it more appetizing for the child. Also add a handful of raisins for extra iron.
Also Read:These are 4 Symptoms of Anemia in Children that Need to be Watched
Meat
All meat products are rich in iron. However, many toddlers often refuse meat, but parents need to use simple strategies to get children to eat meat. Such as giving chicken nuggets or meatballs. However, be careful because chicken nuggets and meatballs often contain high levels of sodium and saturated fat.
Peanut Butter Sandwich
The amount of iron in peanut butter varies between brands, but typically contains about 0.56 mg of iron per tablespoon. For added iron, make a sandwich using a slice of whole wheat bread which can provide about 1 mg of iron. Peanut butter is also relatively high in protein, making it a great choice for toddlers who don’t want to eat meat.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants that can help increase a child’s iron intake. Besides meat, dark chocolate is one of the most iron-rich foods a toddler can eat, it offers 7 mg of iron per 3-ounce serving. Some toddlers don’t like the bitter taste of dark chocolate. Encourage them to give it a try by melting it and mixing it with peanut butter, then spread it on bread for an iron-rich treat.
Also Read:The Danger of Underestimating Anemia, a Future Threat
Egg
Hard-boiled eggs offer 1 mg of iron. Or if your toddler doesn’t like hard-boiled eggs, try scrambled eggs instead. Some kids also like sandwiches that have eggs in them.
Fish
The next blood-boosting food is fish and try to include fish in your toddler’s diet because this food is highly nutritious. Fish is also an excellent source of protein, and some fish, such as mackerel and salmon, are rich in heart and brain-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. (hellodoc/hm14)
