Anemia means you don’t have enough red blood cells or hemoglobin in your body. This causes your body to not enough have oxygen.
There are various types of anemia, but the most common is iron deficiency anemia (IDA). It can be caused by many factors, but it is commonly caused by a lack of iron in your diet or blood loss.
With insufficient iron, your body can not create enough hemoglobin that carries oxygen throughout the body. Because of this, iron anemia can leave you tired and short of breath.
An iron deficiency anemia diet should have both heme and non-heme iron sources, such as meat, poultry, seafood, leafy vegetables, legumes and nuts. Other nutrients are also needed so that the body can absorb iron better.
This article will cover everything you need to know about following an anemia diet and give you a sample 7 day diet plan to follow that contains daily meals and a shopping list.
View 7 Day Anaemia Diet Plan PDF
Foods High in Iron
There are various foods that contain good amounts of iron. These include:
- Dark leafy vegetables (kale, spinach, collard greens, broccoli)
- Nuts and seeds (pumpkin seeds, cashews, pistachios, pine nuts)
- Meat (beef, lamb, venison, poultry, liver)
- Seafood (shellfish, oysters, shrimps, sardines, tuna, salmon)
- Beans and pulses (kidney beans, chickpeas, soybeans, black beans, peas)
- Iron-fortified foods (cereals, orange juice, bread)
You should aim to get iron from a variety of different sources since absorption rates can differ depending on particular factors. For example, some dark leafy greens contain oxalates, which reduces iron absorption.
Heme vs Non-heme Iron
Heme iron is found in animal products like meat, poultry and seafood, whereas non-heme is found in vegetarian options like nuts, legumes, seeds and vegetables.
The body absorbs heme iron better than non-heme iron. However, other factors can affect how non-heme iron is absorbed. For example, eating vitamin C with iron at the same meal can improve absorption.
However, bran fiber and large amounts of calcium, particularly when taken as a supplement, can reduce the absorption of non-heme iron.
Groups at Risk of Iron Anemia Deficiency
- Menstruating women – if a woman bleeds heavily during menstruation, iron deficiency anemia can develop
- Children and teenagers – because of their rapid growth, they have higher iron needs
- Elderly (over 65) – older people often have poorer nutrition and chronic inflammatory diseases that can result in anemia
- Vegetarians – heme iron is better absorbed but is only found in meat, fish and poultry. Non-heme iron sources are available but are generally found in smaller amounts. If someone doesn’t eat sufficient non-heme sources, then a person may need to eat more of these sources or give more attention to how they eat it (e.g eating more vitamin C foods with iron, eating less calcium with iron)
- Pregnant women – during pregnancy, more red blood cells and therefore, hemoglobin are needed for the fetus. Creating hemoglobin requires iron. IDA during pregnancy can cause low birth weights, so supplementation is often advised.
- People with poor diets
- People who donate blood often
- High-performance and endurance athletes (e.g marathon runners)
Tips for an Anemia Diet Plan
- Eat fewer foods or beverages that stop iron absorption. These include coffee or tea, eggs, foods high in oxalates, and foods high in calcium.
- Eat iron-rich foods high in vitamin C. Vitamin C can help the absorption of iron. Foods high in vitamin C include citrus fruits, bell peppers, strawberries and tomatoes.
- Eat a variety of heme and non-heme iron foods. Heme iron sources include meat, fish and poultry, whereas non-heme sources include leafy green vegetables and legumes.
- Eat folate and vitamin B-12-rich foods. These help support red blood cell production. Folate and vitamin B-12-rich foods include meat and seafood and dairy products like cheese and eggs.
Foods to Limit on an Anemia Diet
Certain foods can affect iron absorption such as:
- Tea and coffee
- Milk and some dairy products
- Foods that have tannins (e.g grapes and corn)
- Foods that have phytates (e.g brown rice)
- Foods that have oxalic acid (e.g peanuts and chocolate)
What’s the Best Diet for an Anemia Diet
It has been ranked the number 1 diet according to the U.S. News & World Report for multiple years, primarily because of the health benefits and because of how easy it is to follow.
However, it does contain a medium amount of carbs, which as noted in the previous section, can have a greater impact on blood sugar levels, similar to a low GI diet.
However, with just a few small changes, it can work with both. This is done primarily by reducing the number of carbs but choosing healthy, low-GI foods
The Mediterranean diet is a balanced way of eating that is recommended by doctors and health professionals. It has many studies backing its use for its health benefits and sustainable weight loss.
Because it is easy to follow, it is also a good option to lose weight, as it isn’t a diet that is too restrictive and difficult to follow.
Many credible organizations suggest following a Mediterranean diet for longevity and health. These include:
- Harvard Medical School
- Osteoarthritis Foundation Internal
- Mayo Clinic
- American Heart Association
- Arthritis Foundation
Many studies find very positive feedback from people following the Mediterranean diet across a number of different health markers. We’ve listed some studies alongside the health conditions below.
- Lower risk of cardiovascular events (1, 2)
- Lower risk of coronary heart disease (3, 4)
- Lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes (5)
- Lower risk of breast cancer (6)
- Lower risk of obesity (7)
- Better cognitive function (8)
7 Day Anemia Diet Meal Plan
This meal plan will follow a Mediterranean-style diet with lower amounts of carbohydrates. Foods that are higher in carbs will be healthy choices like vegetables, fruits, legumes and beans.
Anemia Diet Sample Menu
In the meal plan are recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
| Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | |
| Monday | Basil & Spinach Scramble | Mixed Bean Salad | Salmon Harrisa Yogurt |
| Tuesday | Sardines on Toast | Panzanella Salad | Greek Salad Omelette |
| Wednesday | Berry Smoothie | Tomato & Watermelon Salad | Grilled Aubergine Slices with Hummus |
| Thursday | Basil & Spinach Scramble | Greek Salad | Chicken & Peach Fusion |
| Friday | Sardines on Toast | Carrot, Orange & Avocado Salad | Spicy Tomato Baked Eggs |
| Saturday | Berry Smoothie | Tomato & Feta Omelette | Moussaka |
| Sunday | Basil & Spinach Scramble | Moussaka (leftovers) | Chicken & Avocado Salad |
Snacks are recommended between meal times. Some great snacks include:
- A handful of nuts or seeds
- A piece of fruit
- Carrots or baby carrots
- Berries or grapes
Each day contains less than 100g of carbs.
View 7 Day Anaemia Diet Plan PDF
Anemia Diet Recipes
Day 1: Monday
Breakfast: Basil & Spinach Scramble
Nutrition
- Calories – 294
- Protein – 16g
- Carbs – 8g
- Fat – 24g
Prep & cook time: 10 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 100g cherry tomatoes
- 4 eggs
- 60ml milk
- handful basil, chopped
- 200g baby spinach
- black pepper
Instructions
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan and add the tomatoes. While they are cooking, beat the eggs in a jug and add the milk, black pepper, and basil.
- Remove the tomatoes from the pan and place on the plates. Add the oil, spinach and egg mixture to the pan, stirring occasionally until the eggs scramble. Once set, add to the plates and serve.
Lunch: Mixed Bean Salad
Nutrition
- Calories – 240
- Protein – 11g
- Carbs – 22g
- Fat – 12g
Prep time + cook time: 10 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 145g jar artichoke heart in oil
- ½ tbsp sundried tomato paste
- ½ tsp red wine vinegar
- 200g can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 150g pack tomatoes, quartered
- Handful Kalamata black olives
- 2 spring onions, thinly sliced on the diagonal
- 100g feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Drain the jar of artichokes, reserving 1-2 tbsp of oil. Add the oil, sun-dried tomato paste and vinegar and stir until smooth. Season to taste.
- Chop the artichokes and tip into a bowl. Add the cannellini beans, tomatoes, olives, spring onions and half of the feta cheese. Stir in the artichoke oil mixture and tip into a serving bowl. Crumble over the remaining feta cheese, then serve.
Dinner: Salmon Harissa Yogurt
Nutrition
- Calories – 485
- Protein – 48g
- Carbs – 34g
- Fat – 12g
Prep & cook time: 25 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 50g couscous
- 2 tbsp sultanas
- small bunch coriander, chopped
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon, plus a pinch
- 200ml hot vegetable stock
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 salmon fillets
- 1 tbsp harissa paste
- 170g Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Heat the grill. Put the couscous, sultanas, most of the coriander, 1 tsp cinnamon & seasoning into a bowl. Pour over hot vegetable stock and set aside for 5 minutes.
- Mix together cinnamon, honey & oil. Put salmon on a baking tray, spread over the honey mixture and season. Cook under grill for 8 minutes until the fish is cooked through.
- Meanwhile, swirl together the harissa and yogurt. Fluff up the couscous with a fork and serve with the fish and yogurt. Sprinkle with the remaining coriander.
View 7 Day Anaemia Diet Plan PDF
Day 2: Tuesday
Breakfast: Sardines on Toast
Nutrition
- Calories – 269
- Protein – 15g
- Carbs – 22g
- Fat – 13g
Prep & cook time: 10 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 1 red chilli, chopped and deseeded
- 1 lemon, juice and zest
- 1 x 120g cans of sardines in olive oil
- 2 slices of brown bread
- small bunch of parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a frying pan, cook onions for a few minutes before adding the garlic, red chilli and lemon zest.
- Add sardines and heat for a few minutes until warm.
- Toast the bread. Add parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice to the sardines. Divide between toast before serving.
Lunch: Panzanella Salad
Nutrition
- Calories – 452
- Protein – 6g
- Carbs – 37g
- Fat – 25g
Prep time + cook time: 10 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 400g tomatoes
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 1 tbsp capers, drained and rinsed
- 1 ripe avocado, stoned, peeled and chopped
- 1 small red onion, very thinly sliced
- 2 slices of brown bread
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- small handful basil leaves
Instructions
- Chop the tomatoes and put them in a bowl. Season well and add the garlic, capers, avocado and onion. Mix well and set aside for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, tear the bread into chunks and place in a bowl. Drizzle over half of the olive oil and half of the vinegar. When ready to serve, scatter tomatoes and basil leaves and drizzle with remaining oil and vinegar. Stir before serving.
Dinner: Greek Salad Omelette
Nutrition
- Calories – 369
- Protein – 15g
- Carbs – 10g
- Fat – 21g
Prep time + cook time: 25 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 4 eggs
- handful of parsley leaves, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 red onion
- 100g cherry tomato,
- handful black olives
- 50g feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Heat the grill to high. Whisk the eggs in a bowl with the chopped parsley, pepper and salt. Heat the oil in a frying pan, then fry the onion over a high heat for about 4 minutes until they start to brown. Add the tomatoes and olives and cook for about 2 minutes.
- Turn the heat to medium & add the eggs, cooking them for about 2 minutes, stirring until they begin to set. Add feta, then place the pan under the grill for 5-6 minutes until the omelette is golden. Cut into wedges and serve.
View 7 Day Anaemia Diet Plan PDF
Day 3: Wednesday
Breakfast: Berry Smoothie
Nutrition
- Calories – 207
- Protein – 15g
- Carbs – 27g
- Fat – 4g
Prep & cook time: 10 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 250g frozen berries
- 250g Greek yogurt
- 50ml milk
- 15g porridge oats
- 2 tsp honey (optional)
Instructions
- Whizz berries, yogurt and milk together until smooth. Stir through porridge oats and pour into glasses. Serve with a drizzle of honey.
Lunch: Tomato and Watermelon Salad
Nutrition
- Calories – 177
- Protein – 5g
- Carbs – 13g
- Fat – 13g
Prep time + cook time: 5 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- ¼ tsp chilli flakes
- 1 tbsp chopped mint
- 120g tomatoes, chopped
- 250g watermelon, cut into chunks
- 50g feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- For the dressing, Mix the oil, vinegar, chilli flakes and mint and then season.
- Put the tomatoes and watermelon into a bowl. Pour over the dressing, add the feta, then serve.
Dinner: Grilled Aubergine Slices with Hummus
Nutrition
- Calories – 552
- Protein – 17g
- Carbs – 49g
- Fat – 37g
Prep & cook time: 25 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 1 aubergine, sliced lengthways
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 slices brown bread
- 150g hummus
- 50g walnuts, toasted
- 40g parsley, leaves chopped
- 100g cherry tomatoes, quartered
- juice ½ lemon
Instructions
- Lay aubergine on baking sheet. Add olive oil, then season. Grill for 15 minutes, turning twice until cooked through. Whiz bread into crumbs.
- Spread hummus on aubergine slices. Tip breadcrumbs onto a plate, then press the hummus side of the aubergine into the crumbs to coat. Grill again, crumbside up, for 3 minutes. until golden.
- Add walnuts, parsley & tomatoes in a bowl, season, then add lemon juice. Serve with salad.
View 7 Day Anaemia Diet Plan PDF
Day 4: Thursday
Breakfast: Basil and Spinach Scramble
Lunch: Greek Salad
Nutrition
- Calories – 273
- Protein – 6g
- Carbs – 14g
- Fat – 24g
Prep & cook time: 5 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 120g tomatoes, quartered
- 1 cucumber, peeled, deseeded, then roughly chopped
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 16 Kalamata olives
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 50g feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients in a large bowl and lightly season.
- Serve with wholemeal bread (optional)
Dinner: Chicken & Peach Fusion
Nutrition
- Calories – 384
- Protein – 26g
- Carbs – 20g
- Fat – 22g
Prep time + cook time: 25 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 200g chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 ripe peaches, stoned and cut into quarters
- 2 tsp red wine vinegar
- ½ tbsp clear honey
- ½ red chilli, finely chopped
- 55g bag herb salad
- 50g feta cheese, crumbled
- Broccoli/green beans to serve (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a frying pan. Place the chicken in ½ tbsp of oil, and season. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until cooked through. Add to a plate.
- Place peach slices in ½ tbsp oil with black pepper. Grill for 1-2 minutes each side.
- Mix the remaining olive oil, vinegar, honey and chilli. Toss with the salad leaves. Arrange the chicken with the peach slices on top and scatter with feta before serving.
View 7 Day Anaemia Diet Plan PDF
Day 5: Friday
Breakfast: Sardines on Toast
Lunch: Carrot, Orange & Avocado
Nutrition
- Calories – 177
- Protein – 5g
- Carbs – 13g
- Fat – 13g
Prep time + cook time: 5 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 1 orange, plus zest and juice of 1
- 2 carrots, halved lengthways and sliced with a peeler
- 35g bag rocket (arugula)
- 1 avocado, stoned, peeled and sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Cut the segments from 1 of the oranges and put in a bowl with the carrots, rocket and avocado. Whisk together the orange juice, zest and oil. Toss through the salad, and season.
Dinner: Spicy Tomato Baked Eggs
Nutrition
- Calories – 417
- Protein – 19g
- Carbs – 45g
- Fat – 17g
Prep time + cook time: 25 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 red onions, chopped
- 1 red chilli, deseeded & chopped
- 1 garlic clove, sliced
- small bunch coriander, stalks and leaves chopped separately
- 800g can cherry tomatoes
- 4 eggs
- brown bread, to serve
View 7 Day Anaemia Diet Plan PDF
Day 6: Saturday
Breakfast: Berry Smoothie
Lunch: Tomato & Feta Omelette
Nutrition
- Calories – 320
- Protein – 19g
- Carbs – 21g
- Fat – 20g
Prep & cook time: 10 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 8 cherry tomatoes, chopped
- 50g feta cheese, crumbled
- mixed salad leaves, to serve (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a frying pan, add the eggs and cook, swirling them occasionally. After a few minutes, scatter the feta and tomatoes. Cook for another minute before serving.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a frying pan with a lid, then cook the onions, chili, garlic and coriander stalks for 5 minutes until soft. Stir in the tomatoes, then simmer for 8-10 minutes.
- Using the back of a large spoon, make 4 dips in the sauce, then crack an egg into each one. Put a lid on the pan, then cook over a low heat for 6-8 mins, until the eggs are done to your liking. Scatter with the coriander leaves and serve with bread.
Dinner: Moussaka
Nutrition
- Calories – 457
- Protein – 36g
- Carbs – 18g
- Fat – 24g
Prep time + cook time: 30 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 500g lean beef mince
- 1 aubergine
- 2 tbsp tomato purée
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 200g pack feta cheese, crumbled
- Fresh mint
- Brown bread, to serve (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a pan. Add the onion and garlic and fry until soft. Add the mince and fry for 3-4 minutes until browned.
- Tip the tomatoes into the pan and stir in the tomato purée and cinnamon, then season. Leave the mince to simmer for 20 minutes. Add the aubergine half way through.
- Sprinkle the feta and dried mint over the mince. Serve with toasted bread.
View 7 Day Anaemia Diet Plan PDF
Day 7: Sunday
Breakfast: Basil and Spinach Scramble
Lunch: Moussaka (leftovers)
Dinner: Chicken & Avocado Salad
Nutrition
- Calories -396
- Protein – 31g
- Carbs – 15g
- Fat – 26g
Prep time + cook time: 20 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 2 skinless chicken breast
- 2 tsp olive oil (1 for the salad)
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 avocado, diced
- ½ tsp red wine vinegar
- ½ tbsp parsley, chopped
- 120g tomatoes, chopped
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Heat grill to medium. Rub the chicken with 1 tsp of the olive oil and the paprika. Cook for 4-5 minutes each side until lightly charred and cooked through.
- Mix the salad ingredients together, season and add the rest of the oil. Thickly slice the chicken and serve with the salad.
Anemia Diet Shopping List
This shopping list corresponds exactly to the 7-day diet plan, serving 2 people. No snacks are included.
View 7 Day Anaemia Diet Plan PDF
28 Day Mediterranean Plan for Amenia
We’ve created a 4-week Mediterranean-style diet meal plan for anemia that follows the same format as this 7-day meal plan pdf. It contains FOUR weeks of meal plans, recipes, shopping lists and prep guides – all available in digital format.
Click here to grab your copy of the 28 day Mediterranean diet plan for anemia
Disclosure
We would like to take a moment to note that this post is for information purposes only. It does not claim to provide medical advice or to be able to treat any medical condition. It makes no claims with respect to weight loss, either in terms of the amount or rate at which weight loss could be achieved. If you have any concerns regarding your health please contact your medical practitioner before making changes.