A “Blood-Tonic Vegetable” for Children
A “Blood-Tonic Vegetable” for Children
Today, iron-deficiency anemia in children has become another “luxury disease” alongside obesity and myopia. Doctors point out that improper diet structure, picky eating, and selective feeding are major causes.
Doctors say that aside from rare congenital factors, iron-deficiency anemia in children mainly stems from daily diet and lifestyle habits. Many children drink yogurt or eat chocolate immediately after waking up. Some start the day with ice-cold milk or fruit on an empty stomach. Other parents don’t eat breakfast themselves, so their children often skip breakfast too. Children who stay up late and wake early with parents often lack time for a proper breakfast, leading to iron-deficiency anemia over time.
If adolescents with iron-deficiency anemia do not receive timely iron supplementation, they may suffer from reduced physical stamina, weakened memory, and lowered immune function, making them prone to upper respiratory infections like colds and bronchitis. The simplest method to treat blood deficiency is to encourage children to eat iron-rich foods to raise hemoglobin levels. These include lean meat, pork liver, egg yolks, seaweed, chicken liver, nori, mushrooms, and soy products.
Liver: Rich in various nutrients, liver is the preferred food for preventing iron-deficiency anemia. Every 100 grams of pork liver contains 25 mg of iron, easily absorbed by the body. Liver puree is convenient for children to consume.
Egg Yolk: Every 100 grams of egg yolk contains 7 mg of iron, though only 3% is absorbed. Yet, eggs are readily available, easy to store and consume, and rich in other nutrients, making them still a viable source of iron for children.
Soybeans and Soy Products: Every 100 grams of soybeans or soy flour contains 11 mg of iron, with a 7% absorption rate.
Sesame Paste: Rich in nutrients, sesame paste is an excellent nutritional food for children. Every 100 grams contains 58 mg of iron, along with abundant calcium, phosphorus, protein, and fat.
Doctors warn that iron in some foods may have low actual absorption due to interference from phytic acid. The most suitable options include pork liver, duck/goose blood soup, lean meat, and fish/shrimp. Additionally, eating a tomato or drinking orange juice before meals can double iron absorption, while drinking tea before or after meals greatly inhibits iron uptake.
Doctors offer a dietary remedy for anemia: Spinach and Goji Berry Porridge. Parents can follow this recipe and adapt it creatively.
Ingredients: 100 grams spinach, 15 grams goji berries, 100 grams millet.
Preparation: Wash spinach thoroughly, removing dirt and roots. Blanch in boiling water briefly, then chop finely (≤0.5 cm), set aside. Rinse millet and goji berries, place in a clay pot with adequate water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer gently for one hour until millet is soft. Add chopped spinach, stir well, season with salt and monosodium glutamate, bring to a boil again, drizzle with sesame oil, mix evenly.
Usage: Consume twice daily, morning and evening.
Benefits: Nourishes liver and kidneys, replenishes blood, strengthens spleen. Particularly suitable for growing children and adolescents with anemia.