A Blood-Tonic Vegetable for Children
A Blood-Tonic Vegetable for Children
Today, iron-deficiency anemia in children has emerged as a new “luxury disease,” alongside obesity and myopia. Doctors point out that improper diet structure, picky eating, and food preferences are major causes of childhood iron-deficiency anemia.
Doctors say that apart from rare congenital factors, the primary reasons for iron-deficiency anemia in children are related to daily diet and lifestyle habits. Many children drink yogurt or eat chocolate immediately upon waking. Some start the day with ice-cold milk or fruit on an empty stomach. Other parents themselves skip breakfast, causing children to do the same. Children who follow late-night, early-morning routines often lack time for a proper breakfast, leading to iron-deficiency anemia over time.
If adolescents with iron-deficiency anemia don’t receive timely iron supplementation, they may suffer from decreased physical strength, weakened memory, and lowered immune function, making them prone to colds, bronchitis, and other upper respiratory infections. The simplest approach is to encourage children to eat more iron-rich foods to raise hemoglobin levels. These include lean meat, pork liver, egg yolks, seaweed, chicken liver, purple laver, mushrooms, and soy products.
Animal Liver: Rich in various nutrients, liver is the top choice for preventing iron-deficiency anemia. Every 100 grams of pork liver contains 25 mg of iron, which is easily absorbed by the body. Liver puree is especially convenient for children to consume.
Egg Yolk: Every 100 grams of egg yolk contains 7 mg of iron, though absorption rate is only 3%. However, eggs are readily available, easy to store, and rich in other nutrients, making them 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 various 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 certain foods may have low actual absorption due to interference from phytic acid. The best options include pork liver, duck blood soup, lean meat, and fish/shrimp. Additionally, eating a tomato or drinking a glass of orange juice before meals can significantly boost iron absorption, whereas drinking tea before or after meals greatly inhibits iron absorption.
Doctors have provided 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 (less than 0.5 cm). Set aside. Rinse millet and goji berries, place in a sand pot with water, bring to 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 thoroughly, and serve.
Usage: Consume twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening.
Benefits: Nourishes liver and kidneys, replenishes blood, strengthens spleen. Particularly suitable for growing children and adolescents with anemia.