Iron in brief

Iron is a mineral with several functions in the body. It’s most widely known to carry oxygen throughout the body, play a role in growth and development, and take part in the production of energy in our cells. There are two general types of iron: 

Heme: This form is naturally from animal-based sources such as meat, poultry and fish. It has high absorption rates.

Non-heme: This form is from plant-based sources, although also makes up part of the iron in animal-based sources too. It has lower absorption rates compared to heme iron.

Iron recommendations

It's recommended that those following a plant-based lifestyle consume 1.8 times more iron compared to those who consume heme iron sources. This is because plant-based foods only contain non-heme iron which has lower absorption. Some research suggests that this 80% increase is not entirely necessary if individuals make dietary choices to promote iron absorption though.

The bracketed values below reflect the increased recommendations for those following a plant-based lifestyle: 

  • Men 19+ years: 8 mg daily (15 mg for plant-based lifestyles)
  • Women 19-50 years: 18 mg daily (32 mg for plant-based lifestyles)
  • Women 51+ years: 8 mg daily (15 mg for plant-based lifestyles)
  • Pregnant women 19-50 years: 27 mg daily (49 mg for plant-based lifestyles)
  • Breastfeeding women 19-50 years: 9 mg daily (16 mg for plant-based lifestyles)

It's also advised that iron intakes stay below 45mg/day from food and supplement sources combined. Note that women of reproductive age, pregnant women, athletes, and those with medical conditions leading to blood loss may have higher iron requirements. It's always best to speak with a doctor or dietitian for a personalized recommendation. 

Meeting iron needs from foods first is recommended over supplementation where possible. 

Plant-based iron sources

Plant-based sources of iron include legumes (such as beans, peas, and lentils), dark green vegetables, wholegrain or fortified products, nuts and seeds. Here are a few food sources that could contribute to our daily iron needs. 

4-6 mg iron per serving

  • Lentils, cooked (¾ cup)
  • Oatmeal, cooked (¾ cup)
  • Bulgar, cooked (1 cup)

2-4 mg iron per serving

  • Blackstrap molasses (1 tbsp)
  • Pumpkin seeds, roasted (¼ cup)
  • Spinach, cooked (½ cup)
  • Tomato puree (½ cup)
  • Beans (most varieties), cooked (¾ cup)
  • Edamame, cooked (¾ cup)
  • Peas, cooked (¾ cup)
  • Soy-based yogurt (¾ cup)
  • Tempeh/fermented soy product (¾ cup)
  • Tofu, cooked (¾ cup)
  • Asparagus, raw (6 medium spears)

1-2 mg iron per serving

  • Apricots, dried (¼-½ cup)
  • Kale, cooked (½ cup)
  • Beets, cooked (¾ cup)
roasted cauliflower lentil curry with rice
Try our roasted cauliflower lentil curry, featuring lentils as an iron source.

Absorption

Other dietary factors can impact our absorption of iron. Here are some factors and possible strategies we can take to support iron absorption.

Phytates and Polyphenols

Many plant-based foods that contain iron also have what we call phytates and polyphenols. These compounds can bind to non-heme iron and interfere with absorption. To minimize this, we can soak our grains, nuts, seeds and legumes to reduce the phytate or polyphenol content. This in turn increases our iron absorption. Learn more about the benefits of soaking in our soaking article.

Tannins

Another culprit of lower iron absorption is tannins. These are are compounds commonly found in black tea, espresso, coffee, and red wine. When these beverages are consumed with meals, they can decrease non-heme iron absorption.

We recommend consuming these beverages around 30 minutes before or after a meal to limit tannins from interfering with iron absorption. 

Calcium

High doses of calcium may reduce the absorption of iron. If taking supplemental calcium, consider avoiding doses at mealtimes. Some calcium supplements are recommended to be taken with food though, so it's always best to listen to recommendations from a healthcare professional. See our calcium article for more information if desired.

Vitamin C

As there are strategies to reduce interference of iron absorption, there are also strategies we can use to enhance our iron absorption! Vitamin C is known to increase the body's ability to absorb iron. Due to this, it's often recommended to enjoy iron-rich foods with vitamin C-rich sources, such as citrus fruits, kiwis, strawberries, sweet bell peppers, potatoes, and broccoli. Some examples include:

  • Having berries with oatmeal
  • Adding spinach with oranges in smoothies
  • Enjoying tofu with bell peppers in stir fry 
  • Using tomato as a base for bean, pea, or lentil containing chili or curries
  • Garnishing with freshly squeezed lemon 
coconut and tofu thai red curry
Our Coconut & Tofu Thai Red Curry features bell peppers and broccoli for a vitamin C boost 

Getting enough iron

For vegans and non-vegans alike, it's important to be mindful that we're consuming iron-rich foods with each meal. The recommendations being 1.8 times more for plant-based lifestyles may sound unachievable, but this recommendation takes into account the iron-inhibiting foods that may interfere with absorption.

As long as we're typically consuming iron-rich plant-based foods with vitamin C, and drinking our tea and coffee separately from these iron-rich foods, it's likely that we're good-to-go!

It's also important to keep in mind that those of us following a plant-based lifestyle generally have lower iron stored in the body. When our iron stores are low, we may be able to absorb more iron from foods. Lower iron stores may also be advantageous as studies have shown that having higher iron stores may increase stress in the body and the risk of certain diseases. 

It's absolutely possible to get enough iron when eating well-balanced and nourishing plant-based foods for most of us.

A note on deficiency

When intakes of iron aren't enough over time it can lead to deficiency. Signs and symptoms of iron deficiency include fatigue, paleness of the skin, brittle nails, cracks in the sides of the mouth, and frequent infections.

Anemia is a condition where the number of blood cells in the body is less than normal. 

Iron deficiency anemia is when the low number of blood cells is caused by ongoing inadequate iron. While iron deficiency is the most significant and common cause of anemia, it's not the only cause. Individuals may become anemic as a result of other long-standing health issues regardless of iron intake through the diet.

Iron supplements

For those who are diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia through a blood test, iron supplements are often recommended to resolve the issue. Once an adequate level is reached though, long-term maintenance is generally best achieved with the consistent consumption of iron-rich foods combined with foods rich in vitamin C, as opposed to ongoing supplementation. This is to avoid the risk of consuming excess iron, which may have negative health outcomes, such as: 

  • Constipation or diarrhea
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Increased risk of disease, such as heart disease
  • Liver dysfunction

Important notes regarding supplementation

General supplementation: if it’s determined supplementation is needed, seeing a healthcare professional, such as a physician or dietitian, for a prescribed dosage and duration is best. The amount needed is always case-specific and taking incorrect doses may be harmful.

Multivitamins: these can also contain iron. We can be observant of this amount when calculating our total intake.

Fortification: in certain countries, commonly eaten foods may be fortified with iron. For example, in Canada, products such as flour, pasta and breakfast cereals have iron added to them.

Summary

  1. There are two types of iron. Non-heme iron is the plant-based source. Heme iron is the form that's from animal sources.
  2. The recommendation for iron intake is 1.8 times higher for those following a plant-based lifestyle. This takes into account the low absorption rates of non-heme iron.
  3. Tannins and polyphenols in foods can interfere with iron absorption. Soaking grains, nuts and seeds prior to cooking in addition to consuming coffee and tea apart from meals are ways to improve iron absorption.
  4. Iron-rich foods are often recommended to be consumed with vitamin C-rich foods. This is to increase our body's ability to absorb iron from foods.
  5. Meeting iron recommendations is achievable with balanced food choices, as long as efforts are made to reduce absorption interference, and iron-rich foods are consumed with vitamin C-rich foods.
  6. Not getting enough iron can increase the risk of iron deficiency anemia, which is the low number of red blood cells caused by not enough iron in the body.
  7. Iron supplementation is often only recommended to resolve iron deficiency in the short term. Long-term maintenance of iron levels in the body is generally best achieved with consistent consumption of a variety of iron-rich foods alongside vitamin C-rich foods.