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Health & Nutrition: Human Nutrition

What foods are high in iron?

Iron is found in many foods. Meat, poultry, and fish are the best sources. The iron in meat, poultry, and fish is in a form that is readily absorbed by the body. Foods from plants such as enriched and whole grain breads and cereals, dry beans and peas, and dark green leafy vegetables are also important sources. However, the iron in these foods is in a form that is not as well absorbed by the body as the iron in meat, poultry, and fish. Research suggests that eating these iron containing plant foods in a meal or snack with a food rich in vitamin C increases the amount of iron the body can absorb. Also, eating some meat, poultry, or fish along with plant foods rich in iron helps the body absorb the iron from plant foods.