The health and wellbeing of a child is the top priority for parents everywhere, and they want to make sure they are doing everything they can to ensure that their child is growing healthy and strong. A big component of that is making sure that their child is getting the right foods to eat.
They want to make sure that their child is getting all the vitamins, and nutrients they need, but when parents are dealing with picky eaters, this can be a challenge. Iron is a mineral that children need to thrive, and grow strong, but it can be a challenge to get children to consume as much as they need.
If parents want some ideas on what are the best iron-rich foods they can give their child, we have 10 of them. The list is vast and diverse, so there is bound to be something on here for even the pickiest eater.
10 Meat
According to KidsHealth, one of the best sources of iron is going to be meat. Meat like beef, pork, poultry and seafood are some of the best ingredients for iron, but these can be the hardest food items for kids to eat. While some children love meat, others shy away from it, so these parents need another option
9 Beans
For the vegetarian parents, or the parents of kids who don’t like meat, they can always use beans. Dried beans and peas are other great sources of iron. They can be cooked in a chili, or they can be served cold in a salad. There are many ways to make beans a cool, fun food.
8 Sweet Potatoes
While some parents really struggle at getting their children to eat vegetables, this one can be easy. According to Healthy Little Foodies, sweet potatoes are great sources of iron, and they can be made in so many ways. You can roast them, make mashed potatoes, or even sweet potato fries.
7 Tofu
Tofu may not be something that all children love, but it is often worth a try. That is because it is packed with iron. Tofu can be added to almost any meal in the place of meat, and it can be flavored with whatever your child prefers.
6 Raisins
Raisins may be an acquired taste for a lot of children, but if your children love them, they are getting a good source of iron in them.
According to Healthline, raisins, and other dried fruits can be a great source of iron, and they are perfect to add to trail mix. Throw in some chocolate chips, and this is a snack your child is guaranteed to love.
5 Dark, Green Vegetables
We know that you are probably thinking that there is no way you are going to get your child to eat dark, leafy vegetables, but they are worth a try. They are great sources of iron, but since they can be so hard for a child to eat, we recommend mom place them in a smoothie. Her child will think they are getting a fun drink, and not realize it is packed with kale or spinach.
4 Dried Apricots
Dried apricots are a great snack for children, and that is because they are appealing. They can look like little pieces of candy, and your child may not even realize that they are eating fruit and not a sweet treat. They are a great source of iron, and easy to throw in the school lunch bag.
3 Breakfast Cereal
If mom takes the time to really look at the breakfast cereal aisle in the store, she may notice that a lot of them are iron-fortified. This is a great way to start the day, and if mom needs to add small amounts of sugar, or tiny marshmallows for her children to eat it, they are still going to be benefiting.
2 Almonds
Almonds are another great source of iron, and as long as your child does not have an allergy, they could be the perfect snack that is full of iron. Throw some in their cereal, their salads, or even in a small bag for them to take and munch on.
1 Eggs
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Eggs are one of the best foods for children, they are sources of a lot of vitamins and nutrients and iron is one of them. Eggs are also incredibly versatile, and can be prepared in so many ways. They can be scrambled, hard-boiled or even added to other dishes (like rice). This is a great way to get some iron in your child, and it makes a great breakfast.
Sources: KidsHealth, Healthy Little Foodies, Healthline