Guest guest Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 Hello all, I received the results of my 5 year old son's iron levels and I was shocked...He scored a 14 which is considered " probably iron deficient. " Needless to say I am quite concerned. He has be vegetarian since birth and I have been for 20+ years. I am very conscious of what I feed him (vegetarian sources of iron) so I have no idea how his levels got to be so low. The doctor does not advocate feeding children red me@t so no worries there. She said to give him some liquid iron supplements plus be aware of what he eats. The nanny does most of the cooking and overall is not a good cook. She also, I think, ignores my requests to add flax and the sort to cereal, etc. Of course, it really comes down to me telling her what to cook...menu planning. So it's not her fault. To start I am going to track how much iron he consumes each day. Does anyone have any additional suggestions? FYI my iron and vitamin D were both low so I'll be checking my own sources. My son's vitamin D results have not come back yet. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Paula Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 Hey Paula - yeah we're in the same boat. Heres some info I got out of smart medicine for a healthier child: " increase amounts of foods rich in iron ....broccoli, dark green vegetables, egg yolks (if you eat eggs), plums, raisins, purple grapes, kelp, whole grains and blackstrap molasses. consider replacing sugar with blackstrap molasses. " " Be aware that consuming excessive amounts of oxalic acid can interfere with iron absorption. Significant levels of oxalic acid can be found in chocolate (oh no!), rhubarb and spinach... " Hope that helps ... look forward to reading the other posts. Amy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 I received the results of my 5 year old son's iron levels and I was shocked...He scored a 14 which is considered " probably iron deficient. " I could swear that a 12 was within normal limits. Could be wrong on that, though. The nanny does most of the cooking and overall is not a good cook. She also, I think, ignores my requests to add flax and the sort to cereal, etc. Of course, it really comes down to me telling her what to cook...menu planning. So it's not her fault She doesn't cook what you tell her to cook, and doesn't cook very well, and it's " not her fault " ? I'd say it IS her fault, if she doesn't give your son the things he needs for proper nutrition! You might want to speak to her again, in light of your son's test results, and see if you can't bring her on board with your ideas as to what your son needs. If at all possible, you might want to consider taking a couple of hours on your days off and preparing some things ahead of time, to insure he gets what you want him to have. Maybe have the nanny work alongside of you, preparing these healthy foods. Just some ideas. Marilyn **************Get fantasy football with free live scoring. Sign up for FanHouse Fantasy Football today. (http://www.fanhouse.com/fantasyaffair?ncid=aolspr00050000000020) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 I am pretty sure that vitamin C increases iron retension. Think about combinations your son will eat. A daily smoothie with frozen berries, orange juice and fresh greens would be a great option. Frozen " dreamsicles " made with enriched soy or rice milk and oj. --- On Thu, 7/24/08, peej2e2 <johnsontew wrote: peej2e2 <johnsontew My 5 year old's iron levels Thursday, July 24, 2008, 1:35 PM Hello all, I received the results of my 5 year old son's iron levels and I was shocked...He scored a 14 which is considered " probably iron deficient. " Needless to say I am quite concerned. He has be vegetarian since birth and I have been for 20+ years. I am very conscious of what I feed him (vegetarian sources of iron) so I have no idea how his levels got to be so low. The doctor does not advocate feeding children red me@t so no worries there. She said to give him some liquid iron supplements plus be aware of what he eats. The nanny does most of the cooking and overall is not a good cook. She also, I think, ignores my requests to add flax and the sort to cereal, etc. Of course, it really comes down to me telling her what to cook...menu planning. So it's not her fault. To start I am going to track how much iron he consumes each day. Does anyone have any additional suggestions? FYI my iron and vitamin D were both low so I'll be checking my own sources. My son's vitamin D results have not come back yet. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Paula Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 I am curious...does'nt he eat cereal like cream of wheat, oatmeal etc? How about Kale like in a smoothie? Those things should help. peej2e2 <johnsontew Thursday, July 24, 2008 1:35:42 PM My 5 year old's iron levels Hello all, I received the results of my 5 year old son's iron levels and I was shocked...He scored a 14 which is considered " probably iron deficient. " Needless to say I am quite concerned. He has be vegetarian since birth and I have been for 20+ years. I am very conscious of what I feed him (vegetarian sources of iron) so I have no idea how his levels got to be so low. The doctor does not advocate feeding children red me@t so no worries there. She said to give him some liquid iron supplements plus be aware of what he eats. The nanny does most of the cooking and overall is not a good cook. She also, I think, ignores my requests to add flax and the sort to cereal, etc. Of course, it really comes down to me telling her what to cook...menu planning. So it's not her fault. To start I am going to track how much iron he consumes each day. Does anyone have any additional suggestions? FYI my iron and vitamin D were both low so I'll be checking my own sources. My son's vitamin D results have not come back yet. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Paula Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 27, 2008 Report Share Posted July 27, 2008 In a message dated 7/25/2008 12:02:37 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, johnsontew writes: Does anyone have any additional suggestions? FYI my iron and vitamin D were both low so I'll be checking my own sources. My son's vitamin D results have not come back yet. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Paula, germanium is an amino acid that you can buy in the supplement section of your hfs. It helps with iron absorption. Laura **************Get fantasy football with free live scoring. Sign up for FanHouse Fantasy Football today. (http://www.fanhouse.com/fantasyaffair?ncid=aolspr00050000000020) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 27, 2008 Report Share Posted July 27, 2008 Marilynn, I think you are correct about iron levels, as our new ped told us that our daughter was on the border with a score of 11. Cassie " life's a garden, dig it! " Sent from my iPhone On Jul 25, 2008, at 9:00 AM, sahmomof8 wrote: I received the results of my 5 year old son's iron levels and I was shocked...He scored a 14 which is considered " probably iron deficient. " I could swear that a 12 was within normal limits. Could be wrong on that, though. The nanny does most of the cooking and overall is not a good cook. She also, I think, ignores my requests to add flax and the sort to cereal, etc. Of course, it really comes down to me telling her what to cook...menu planning. So it's not her fault She doesn't cook what you tell her to cook, and doesn't cook very well, and it's " not her fault " ? I'd say it IS her fault, if she doesn't give your son the things he needs for proper nutrition! You might want to speak to her again, in light of your son's test results, and see if you can't bring her on board with your ideas as to what your son needs. If at all possible, you might want to consider taking a couple of hours on your days off and preparing some things ahead of time, to insure he gets what you want him to have. Maybe have the nanny work alongside of you, preparing these healthy foods. Just some ideas. Marilyn **************Get fantasy football with free live scoring. Sign up for FanHouse Fantasy Football today. (http://www.fanhouse.com/fantasyaffair?ncid=aolspr00050000000020) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2008 Report Share Posted July 29, 2008 , " peej2e2 " <johnsontew wrote: > > Hello all, > > I received the results of my 5 year old son's iron levels and I was > shocked...He scored a 14 which is considered " probably iron > deficient. " Needless to say I am quite concerned. He has be > vegetarian since birth and I have been for 20+ years. I am very > conscious of what I feed him (vegetarian sources of iron) so I have > no idea how his levels got to be so low. > > The doctor does not advocate feeding children red me@t so no worries > there. She said to give him some liquid iron supplements plus be > aware of what he eats. > > The nanny does most of the cooking and overall is not a good cook. > She also, I think, ignores my requests to add flax and the sort to > cereal, etc. Of course, it really comes down to me telling her what > to cook...menu planning. So it's not her fault. > > To start I am going to track how much iron he consumes each day. > > Does anyone have any additional suggestions? FYI my iron and vitamin > D were both low so I'll be checking my own sources. My son's vitamin > D results have not come back yet. > > Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. > > Thanks in advance, > Paula > I have nothing to offer but all to gain and I appreciate all of the answers thus far for I am struggling with ideas for the consumption of iron for my 1yr old. Thanks you all including the you who quoted the question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 30, 2008 Report Share Posted July 30, 2008 Hi, Thanks to all who have replied. I am currently on vacation (in the north with limited internet access). I will update when I am back. You suggestions and comments are very helpful. I appreciate it. Paula , " tdavissuperb " <tdavissuperb wrote: > > , " peej2e2 " <johnsontew@> wrote: > > > > Hello all, > > > > I received the results of my 5 year old son's iron levels and I was > > shocked...He scored a 14 which is considered " probably iron > > deficient. " Needless to say I am quite concerned. He has be > > vegetarian since birth and I have been for 20+ years. I am very > > conscious of what I feed him (vegetarian sources of iron) so I have > > no idea how his levels got to be so low. > > > > The doctor does not advocate feeding children red me@t so no > worries > > there. She said to give him some liquid iron supplements plus be > > aware of what he eats. > > > > The nanny does most of the cooking and overall is not a good cook. > > She also, I think, ignores my requests to add flax and the sort to > > cereal, etc. Of course, it really comes down to me telling her what > > to cook...menu planning. So it's not her fault. > > > > To start I am going to track how much iron he consumes each day. > > > > Does anyone have any additional suggestions? FYI my iron and > vitamin > > D were both low so I'll be checking my own sources. My son's > vitamin > > D results have not come back yet. > > > > Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. > > > > Thanks in advance, > > Paula > > > I have nothing to offer but all to gain and I appreciate all of the > answers thus far for I am struggling with ideas for the consumption > of iron for my 1yr old. Thanks you all including the you who quoted > the question. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 4, 2008 Report Share Posted August 4, 2008 Sorry - a bit behind on the listserv postings... Spinach!? We eat a lot of spinach to GET more iron! Ack! I can't win for losing here! I feel overwhelmed! , " amyboard2 " <amyboard2 wrote: > > Hey Paula - yeah we're in the same boat. Heres some info I got out of > smart medicine for a healthier child: " increase amounts of foods rich > in iron ....broccoli, dark green vegetables, egg yolks (if you eat > eggs), plums, raisins, purple grapes, kelp, whole grains and > blackstrap molasses. consider replacing sugar with blackstrap molasses. " > > " Be aware that consuming excessive amounts of oxalic acid can > interfere with iron absorption. Significant levels of oxalic acid can > be found in chocolate (oh no!), rhubarb and spinach... " > > Hope that helps ... look forward to reading the other posts. > > Amy. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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