The lack of sufficient healthy Red Blood Cells (RBCs) in the body leads to a blood disorder called anemia. When an individual is diagnosed with anemia, doctors might recommend some food items that they should add to their regular diet and some that they should avoid. Let’s look at some foods to eat and avoid for managing anemia.

Top foods to eat for managing anemia

• Nuts
  Dry fruits and nuts can easily be added to one’s diet in the form of dessert toppings or as part of salads to add that crunchy texture. Seeds and nuts are known to be primary sources of iron. Pistachios, pumpkin seeds, and other nuts are packed with iron and make for healthy snack options for people with anemia.
• Whole beans
  Whole beans or even lentils can be added to one’s diet to boost their iron levels naturally. Soybeans, peas, chickpea, and kidney beans are among the common bean types known to be rich sources of iron.
• Meat varieties
  Among the popular meat varieties, shellfish, chicken breast, shrimp, beef, salmon, tuna, and oysters are loaded with healthy iron content. These are known to be easy to digest, and the iron absorption rate of these foods is also good. This makes them great options for anemia patients to add in their regular diet.

Top foods to avoid for managing anemia
Focusing on the foods to eat and avoid for anemia prevents flare-ups of severe symptoms like organ damage and weakening of immunity. One should try and reduce the consumption of the following items so that their body can efficiently absorb the iron content in the food they eat:

• Gluten
  Gluten is present in some flours and can be harmful to people with severe anemia. Some kinds of pasta also contain gluten, which can meddle with the efficiency of the body in absorbing iron from the food consumed. Gluten is also a common allergen, so people with anemia should opt for healthy gluten-free meal options instead.
• Foods containing tannins
  Green tea, apricots, and grapes are some of the common foods that contain tannins, which have the tendency to bind with some types of iron. Excess consumption of tannin-rich foods can affect the rate of iron absorption from plant-based sources like nuts, leafy greens, and beans.
• Caffeinated beverages
  Tea and coffee are among the common beverages that contain caffeine, a compound that can restrict iron absorption and worsen anemia in most people. Excess consumption of coffee and other caffeinated beverages is best avoided by anemia patients.

Besides the mentioned foods, people with anemia should ensure that they do not combine calcium-rich and iron-rich foods, as both these nutrients can inhibit the absorption of the other. Understanding which foods to eat and avoid for managing anemia is crucial to preventing flare-ups effectively.