15 Iron-Rich Foods for Toddlers, Good for Complementary Nutrition for Complementary Feeding

Kapanlagi.com - Sources of iron-rich foods can be obtained from various types of vegetables, meat, or fish. Especially for toddlers and children, meeting the needs of healthy nutrition, including iron, needs to be considered by parents. Because the benefits of iron for children are very good and can support their growth and development.

Iron is part of the nutrients needed by the body. Generally, iron plays a very important role in the formation of red blood cells. That is why if the body lacks iron, it can trigger a number of specific health problems. In this case, anemia is often associated with health problems due to iron deficiency.

But not only that, for toddlers, iron also plays an important role in their growth and development, including preventing stunting and improving immune system and metabolism.

Therefore, here are some references to iron-rich foods that are good for toddlers that parents need to know. These iron-rich foods can be added to the child's complementary feeding menu to maintain their health. Here is a review of iron-rich foods for toddlers that has been summarized by kapanlagi.com from various sources.

1. Various Green Vegetables

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Foods high in iron for toddlers can be obtained in various types of green vegetables that contain many nutrients. Generally, these green vegetables are often added to the healthy menu for toddlers, such as spinach or broccoli. Some sources of foods high in iron for toddlers can be found through the reviews below.

1. Broccoli

Broccoli contains many beneficial nutrients and vitamins for health. Among them are vitamin C, folate, vitamin A, calcium, vitamin B6, including a number of minerals such as iron. So, mothers can make broccoli as a healthy vegetable choice for their little ones' menu.

2. Spinach

Another food high in iron is spinach. Spinach is generally very easy to prepare for a healthy menu for toddlers. Various nutrients and vitamins in spinach are also beneficial for supporting the growth and health of the toddler's body. Such as the iron content which is good for child development and controlling hemoglobin production.

3. Mustard Greens

Another good source of iron-rich food for toddlers is mustard greens. Equally amazing, the benefits of mustard greens are also quite good for maintaining health in children. Because, mustard greens contain a number of healthy nutrients such as iron, calcium, potassium, folate, and protein which can be a healthy menu choice for little ones.

4. Water Spinach

Another source of iron-rich food is water spinach. Water spinach is generally very easy to prepare for a healthy menu for toddlers. Various nutrients and vitamins in water spinach are also beneficial for supporting the growth and health of the toddler's body. Such as the iron content which is good for child development and controlling hemoglobin production. These green leafy vegetables contain iron, which is also quite high and beneficial for children. Among the nutritional and vitamin contents in water spinach include iron, phosphorus, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin B complex, and vitamin C. So, mothers can make it one of the healthy menu choices for children with various appetizing preparations.

2. Iron-Rich Animal Source Foods

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In addition to various types of green leafy vegetables, iron-rich foods can also be found in some animal products such as red meat, eggs, or liver. You can find more information about them in the following review about high-iron foods from animal products.

5. Meat

One of the iron-rich foods from animal products that you can find is meat. Both beef, lamb, chicken, and duck all contain quite high iron. Therefore, mothers can choose them as complementary foods for their little ones. However, to make it healthier, avoid choosing meat with a lot of fat. It is also important for mothers to cook the meat until it is tender and easily digested by the little ones.

6. Eggs

Another high-iron food that mothers can obtain from animal sources is eggs. There is no doubt that eggs contain a considerable amount of protein. In addition to protein, eggs also contain iron which is beneficial for children's health. That is why it is not wrong for mothers to consider eggs as one of the healthy menu references rich in iron content.

7. Liver

The iron content in chicken or beef liver can help fulfill the nutritional intake needs of the little ones. It is not surprising that chicken or beef liver is quite familiar to be added to the complementary feeding menu. However, mothers need to pay attention to the portion of liver intake to avoid excessive consumption. This way, the little ones can obtain more benefits.

3. Iron-Rich Foods from Various Seafood

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Various types of seafood also contain high levels of iron which is good for toddlers. The reviews can be found as follows.

8. Clams

One of the good foods high in iron for toddlers is clams. Clams are a type of seafood that is known to be safe for children to consume. One of the benefits is the high iron content in clams which is good for children. However, it is also important for mothers to pay attention to ensure that the child does not have a history of seafood allergies and to prepare it correctly.

9. Tuna Fish

Another food high in iron for toddlers that also comes from seafood is tuna fish. Tuna contains a number of beneficial nutrients and vitamins for children. Among them are omega-3, iron, vitamin B, vitamin D, and other nutrients. That is why tuna is considered a good source of iron for children.

10. Salmon

Salmon also has amazing benefits and contains a sufficient amount of iron. Therefore, salmon can be one of the menu options for complementary feeding. However, mothers also need to pay attention to the portion of salmon given to children to avoid excessive consumption.

11. Shrimp

Shrimp is another high-iron food that is beneficial for toddlers. Because shrimp contains a number of minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, copper, selenium, and various vitamins. Mothers can add shrimp to the menu for complementary feeding. Make sure to choose fresh shrimp for the little one.

4. High Iron Foods Sourced from Legumes

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Several types of legumes such as peas, soybeans, and red beans are good for providing children's nutrition. You can read the reviews below about high iron foods sourced from legumes.

12. Peas

Peas are one of the food sources that contain quite high iron. That is why peas are also good for your little one's complementary feeding. Among other nutrients in peas include vitamin A, C, K, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, protein, and carbohydrates.

13. Edamame

Soybeans are also amazing and have good benefits for children's health. Because the iron content in soybeans is known to be quite high, it is also equipped with several additional vitamins and nutrients that support children's growth and development.

14. Red Beans

Good iron-rich food for toddlers can also be found in red beans. Red beans contain several healthy nutrients such as phosphorus, calcium, fiber, potassium, folate, vitamin B, vitamin C, and most importantly, iron. That is why it is not wrong for mothers to choose red beans as a complementary feeding menu.

15. Tofu and Tempeh

Processed foods from legumes are also good for toddlers. Because they have a high iron content that is beneficial for little ones. Mothers can prepare various interesting and delicious menus for their little one's complementary feeding using tofu or tempeh.

5. Benefits of Iron for Children

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After knowing what are the good sources of iron-rich foods for toddlers, it is also important to understand the benefits of iron for children. In addition to helping the production of hemoglobin in the body, the benefits of iron are also quite diverse for their growth. Here is a review of the benefits of iron for children.

- Improving the metabolism of the little one.

- Enhancing the immune system of children.

- Preventing stunting or being underweight.

- Increasing the production of hemoglobin in the body.

- Preventing anemia.

- Influencing the intelligence of children, thus supporting their motor development.

6. Recommended Iron Intake for Children

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The amount of iron intake for children is adjusted to their age level. Therefore, not all children have the same portion in terms of iron intake needs. The amount of iron intake for children can be seen through the following review.

- The amount of iron intake for children aged 0-6 months is about 0.3 mg/day obtained from breast milk.

- The amount of iron intake for children aged 7-11 months is about 7-11 mg/day.

- The amount of iron intake for children aged 1-3 years is about 7 mg/day.

- The amount of iron intake for children aged 4-8 years is about 10 mg/day.

7. Things to Consider About Iron Nutrient Intake in Complementary Feeding

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There are several things that mothers need to pay attention to in order to optimize iron intake. Here is a review of the things that mothers need to consider regarding the iron intake needs of children along with the provision of complementary feeding.

- Fulfill the needs of other nutrients and vitamins such as vitamin C to optimize the absorption of iron in the child's body.

- Limit the provision of formula milk before the appropriate age and adjust the portion to not exceed 700 ml/day if the child is over 1 year old.

- Ensure that the provision of complementary feeding containing iron-rich foods is not given together with milk to optimize absorption.

Those are 15 high-iron foods for toddlers, which are good as complementary nutrition for complementary feeding. Consultation with a doctor can be done to ensure that the nutritional needs of the child are truly fulfilled.

Sources: halodoc.com, alodoketr.com, liputan6.com, ibudanbalita.com

(kpl/nlw)