Diet for anemia

A diet for anemia involves including foods in the diet that help stabilize the blood picture and raise the level of missing blood cells.

Anemia is a condition of the body when the number of red blood cells and (or) hemoglobin in the blood decreases. In order to normalize the blood composition, it is recommended to spend more time in the fresh air, devote enough time to proper rest, and, importantly, adjust your diet.

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Diet for iron deficiency anemia

The underlying cause of iron deficiency anemia, as the name suggests, is a lack of iron in the body. To combat this disease, it is necessary to ensure that the necessary substances and elements enter the blood.

If the disease is caused by the fact that a person ate poorly, did a lot of physical work, fasted for a long time, or followed strict diets, then he can be helped by correcting his diet.

If the disease is associated with internal bleeding or malignant neoplasms, then a simple change in diet will not be enough: long-term qualified treatment will be required.

A diet for iron deficiency anemia can be used for both therapeutic and preventive purposes.

The main direction of such a diet can be called the following:

• providing the body with all the required vitamins and microelements;
• general strengthening of the immune system.

Nutrition during treatment should consist mainly of protein foods (up to 120 g of protein per day), vegetables and fruits. Fats are limited to 40 g per day. The diet must include fresh greens, berries, and freshly squeezed juices.

Foods that are rich in iron should be consumed with foods that contain a lot of vitamin C, since ascorbic acid facilitates and accelerates the absorption of iron.

But dairy products should be eaten separately from iron-rich foods, since calcium does not allow iron to be fully absorbed. By the way, the same can be said about caffeine and alcoholic beverages: they do not promote the absorption of iron into the blood.

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Diet for anemia in adults

In adults, this disease occurs somewhat less frequently than in children, but it is more complex and lasts longer. Most often, this condition is associated with heavy physical exertion and lack of a balanced diet.

The diet for anemia in adults involves increasing the content of food proteins, vitamins and microelements.

Regarding the nutritional value of dishes, it is necessary to adhere to the following daily scheme:

• protein – up to 120 g;
• fats – up to 40 g;
• carbohydrates – up to 450 g.

The average daily caloric intake should be on average 2500-3000 kcal.

The diet of adult patients should include vegetable and fruit dishes, berries - these are well-known "carriers of hematopoiesis factors".

A lot of iron and its compounds are found in potatoes, almost all types of cabbage, eggplants and zucchini, melon, pumpkin, garlic and onions, rose hips, citrus fruits, apples, corn, etc. The use of berries is encouraged: viburnum, cranberries, gooseberries, blueberries and strawberries.

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Diet for anemia in pregnant women

Anemia in pregnant women is a common and dangerous phenomenon, since a long-term illness can impair the growth and development of the unborn child.

If a pregnant woman is diagnosed with anemia, then complex treatment is necessary: taking complex vitamin preparations plus a special diet. In other cases, it is recommended to follow a diet to prevent anemia.

During pregnancy, the need for microelements and vitamins increases, because the body of the expectant mother is the only source of nutrition for the baby. In addition, the volume of circulating blood in a pregnant woman increases, which means that there should now be more blood cells.

The main point of preventing anemia is a balanced, varied diet, since anemia can be caused not only by a lack of iron, but also by proteins, vitamins and some minerals.

Iron is found in meat, fish, liver. Among plant-based products, buckwheat, berries, and vegetables can be noted.

As we have already noted, iron will not be absorbed sufficiently without the presence of ascorbic acid. This vitamin can be found in cabbage, cranberries, citrus fruits, currants.

If the disease is caused by a lack of B vitamins, then milk, eggs and meat products should be included in the diet.

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Diet for anemia in the elderly

Anemia in old age can be encountered quite often. This is due to a sedentary lifestyle, chronic diseases, and a decline in the body's defenses.

The main rule of nutrition for elderly people is regularity of food intake: attacks of hunger and overeating should not be allowed. Physiological processes of aging, which affect all human organs, including the digestive system, lead to a limitation of functional capacity, so hunger and overeating can negatively affect the subsequent absorption of food.

It is inappropriate to talk about prohibited products at this age, but the products that should be preferred can be listed. As a rule, these are meat, dairy products, vegetables, greens, fruits. Switching to a vegetarian diet in old age is strongly discouraged, since it is very, very difficult for an elderly body to adapt to global changes in nutrition.

It is necessary to eat eggs (2-4 per week), cereals (especially buckwheat), vegetables (beets, cabbage). It is not worth eating legumes, they are not well digested at this age.

If an elderly person cannot consume fresh plant products due to dental or digestive diseases, then they should be ground as much as possible to a puree state, then absorption will be complete.

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Diet for anemia in children

The diet for children with anemia should be varied, the dishes should be appetizing, so that the little gourmet wants to eat something healthy himself. The daily diet should include meat, vegetable, fruit dishes and eggs.

If the disease is significant, then fats in the baby’s menu must be limited.

It is very important that the baby eats foods with sufficient iron and vitamins (especially A, C and B). Among such foods are liver, tongue, bean dishes, cereal side dishes (buckwheat, barley, oatmeal), vegetable purees and stews. Sea fish and fish oil contain enough vitamin A.

Vitamin B is found in sufficient quantities in beef, prunes, and legumes. It is also present in liver, which is highly recommended for children of all ages. For babies, mashed liver is added to porridge, mashed potatoes, and for older children, you can make a pate or casserole.

The disease often develops in children who have a monotonous diet. For example, a child only requires his favorite yogurt or sausage with pasta, and can eat such food three times a day every day. It is important to take timely measures to prevent anemia by diversifying the diet. Try to cook so that the child is interested in such food. A good way to "work up an appetite" is to cook a dish with the child, and then he will certainly not be able to resist trying his "masterpiece". You cannot force the baby to eat this or that dish: such behavior will further push the child away from healthy food.

Iron, calcium, vitamins, copper – such important components of food products, together with the organization of the daily routine and outdoor games, guarantee successful treatment.

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Diet 11 for anemia

The nutrition of people suffering from anemia is based on therapeutic diet No. 11, which involves limiting the consumption of animal fat and primarily eating foods that are most beneficial for hematopoiesis.

Diet 11 is prescribed not only for anemia, but also for certain conditions of exhaustion of the body, decreased immunity, and during the rehabilitation period after long-term illnesses.

Diet 11 for anemia is aimed at increasing the body's defenses and stimulating the restoration of suppressed functions, including hematopoietic ones.

Diet 11 provides for an increase in the daily caloric intake, an increase in the consumption of proteins, vitamins and minerals in food. Meals are consumed warm (since cold and hot products are digested much worse).

It is recommended to eat 5 times a day.

The following are permitted foods that can be consumed:

• bakery products, cookies, gingerbread, muffins;
• all kinds of first courses;
• sea fish and seafood, liver and meat dishes;
• dairy and fermented milk products, hard cheese and cottage cheese;
• chicken and quail eggs;
• side dishes made from legumes, cereals and pasta;
• berry, fruit and vegetable dishes in any form, as well as raw vegetables and fruits, greens;
• beekeeping products;
• vegetable oils;
• herbal teas, freshly squeezed juices.

It is not advisable to include in the diet:

• cream puff pastries, cake, ice cream;
• mayonnaise, ketchup, vinegar, marinades, sauces;
• lard and fatty meat;
• butter, margarine, rendered fat;
• puff pastry;
• canned goods, smoked fish and meat;
• chocolate;
• alcoholic drinks, coca-cola.

Salt is consumed in quantities of no more than 13 g per day, liquid – no less than 1.5 liters.

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Diet for moderate anemia

Moderate anemia may be a sufficient indication for prescribing diet table No. 11. At this stage, it is important not to neglect the disease, but to correct and restore the hematopoietic function in time.

A diet for moderate anemia can be supplemented with vitamin supplements, but such a decision should be made by a doctor.

It happens that a person consumes enough iron-rich food, but the situation with anemia does not stabilize. It should be noted that in the disease, not only drugs or products containing iron are important, but also a number of vitamins and minerals.

For example, vitamin E is involved in neutralizing free radicals, serves as a preventative measure against damage to cellular structures, and helps keep blood cells intact.

Folic acid and vitamin B¹², which are found in large quantities in meat products and cereals, are of great importance in nutrition for anemia. Without these vitamins, blood cells lose the ability to carry oxygen throughout the body. In addition, folic acid facilitates the absorption of iron and stabilizes the function of the nervous system. In digestive disorders, the absorption of folic acid may be impaired, which can lead to the development of the disease.

Another very important vitamin for preventing the disease is considered to be vitamin C, which helps absorb iron. There is a lot of this well-known vitamin in citrus fruits, cabbage, berries. Products with ascorbic acid are best consumed fresh, since the vitamin loses its properties during heat treatment.

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Diet recipes for anemia

• Fruit and Nut Oatmeal

We will need: 1 glass of oatmeal, 200 ml of water, 200 ml of milk, two handfuls of finely chopped favorite fruits, 2 spoons of any nuts, a little cinnamon, salt and sugar.

Pour oatmeal into boiling water and cook for about 6 minutes, then add heated milk and spices and cook until done. Add fruit and nut mixture to the finished porridge.

• Chicken Liver Pudding with Rice

We will need: 2 cups of rice, about ½ kg of liver, 2 eggs, 2 onions, sunflower oil, 50 g of hard cheese, herbs.

Chop the onion and fry in sunflower oil until golden. Cut the liver into random pieces and add to the onion, fry for about 8-9 minutes. Remove from heat.

Meanwhile, cook the rice (about 20 minutes) with salt. Take the eggs, separate the whites and beat well, put in a cold place for about 10 minutes. Grate the hard cheese.

Carefully combine the cooled rice with the whites and mix. Place half of the resulting mass in a greased form. Place the liver and onion on top and pour in one beaten yolk. Add another layer of the remaining rice and the second beaten yolk. Sprinkle with grated cheese and place in the oven at 180 °C for about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with herbs when serving.

• Carrot Pie

We will need: 175 g of granulated sugar, 175 g of vegetable oil, 3 eggs, 3 medium carrots, 100 g of raisins, orange zest, 175 g of flour, 1 teaspoon of soda, the same amount of cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg. For the glaze: 175 g of powdered sugar, up to 2 tablespoons of orange juice.

Combine sugar, vegetable oil and eggs, beat slightly. Add finely grated carrots, raisins and zest.

Mix flour, spices and soda, stir with the previously prepared carrot mixture.

Pour the dough into a greased form and bake at 180 °C for about 45 minutes. After cooking, cool, remove from the form and pour glaze. For the glaze, mix powder and orange juice.

Bon appetit!

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Diet menu for anemia

An approximate diet plan for anemia for 7 days.

Day 1.

• Breakfast. Millet porridge with fruit, rosehip tea.
• Second breakfast. Vinaigrette.
• Lunch. Borscht, sour cream, steak with cabbage salad.
• Afternoon snack. Freshly squeezed juice with crackers.
• Dinner. Boiled potatoes with meat, tea with lemon.

Day 2.

• Breakfast. Sandwich with liver pate, soft-boiled egg, yogurt.
• Second breakfast. Apple.
• Lunch. Cabbage soup, chicken with rice, compote.
• Afternoon snack. Pomegranate juice.
• Dinner. Jellied fish, potatoes, tea.

Day 3.

• Breakfast. Oatmeal with fruit, a glass of milk.
• Second breakfast. Banana.
• Lunch. Chicken soup, stewed vegetables with meat cutlet, apple juice.
• Afternoon snack. A cup of cottage cheese with sour cream.
• Dinner. Cabbage salad, meat patty, tea with lemon.

Day 4.

• Breakfast. Cheesecakes with honey, fruit compote.
• Second breakfast. A handful of berries.
• Lunch. Pickle soup, fish fillet with potatoes, oatmeal jelly.
• Afternoon snack. Cake and apple juice.
• Dinner. Macaroni and cheese, tea with lemon.

Day 5.

• Breakfast. Cottage cheese casserole with berries, tea with milk.
• Second breakfast. Apple jelly.
• Lunch. Meat rice soup, zrazy with mushrooms, compote.
• Afternoon snack. Fruit biscuit.
• Dinner. Chicken cutlet, beetroot salad, tea with lemon.

Day 6.

• Breakfast. Buckwheat porridge, milk sausage, tea.
• Second breakfast. Fruit salad.
• Lunch. Fish soup, fried liver with vegetables, prune compote.
• Afternoon snack. Pear.
• Dinner. Cabbage rolls, tea with lemon.

Day 7.

• Breakfast. Scrambled eggs with tomatoes, cranberry juice.
• Second breakfast. A handful of nuts.
• Lunch. Pea soup, boiled beef with pasta, fruit juice.
• Afternoon snack. Cottage cheese with fruit.
• Dinner. Fish pie, vegetable salad, rosehip tea.

It is recommended to drink a glass of kefir or unsweetened yogurt at night. It is advisable to use bread made from wheat or rye flour.