When I read DANDR I recall that supplements without IRON were recommended. However, I've noticed that I'm only getting about 35% of the RDA of Iron according to Fitday. Are we supposed to get our Iron from food rather than supplements, and if so, what's a good source?

Thanks in advance.

ps: I wonder if that's why I haven't been nearly as energetic as I was when I fist started this WOE.

MEAT!!!!!!!

Ok maybe exagrating but meat and dark green veggies. Not too hard to get if you eat a piece of red meat a day. If you took a supplement with iron annd was eating all the meat you get waaay too much iron and it would build up in your liver EWWW!

Most people on LC diets eat alot of red meat, and as was stated green veggies. Spinich and broccoli are great iron sources as I remember. If you are only getting about 35% and you are making sure to enter everything you eat and the proper weight, then it would be ok to have a multi vitamin that included iron. Just be sure you aren't using defaults of 1 oz for portion sizes on meats Eat your veggies too, not only for iron, but many other nutrients and antioxidents. It is always better to get vitamins from foods isntead of suppliments as they are absorbed better and found in specific combinations. There are also many substances that can't be made in the lab yet. If your short on something, such as iron, then suppliment.

If your iron is really low, how is your protien? You need to make sure to have adiquet protien so your body doesn't begin to break down muscular tissue to meet it's needs.

It took me awhile to get used to the Fitday defaults at first, but I'm certain that I'm entering the correct quantity now.

I think the problem is that I tend to eat more chicken and pork than red meat. Also, I'm a salad freak, so I've been eating 3 cups of salad a day rather than my 2 favorite veggies, which happen to be broccoli and spinach! I'll make sure I eat either red meat or one of the two veggies at least once a day. I really don't want to take an iron supplement.

Thanks so much for your replies!

I remember reading somewhere that extra iron supplements increased heart disease in MEN but not women - I think TOM iron loss was postulated as the difference.

As a man, I avoid the extra iron. One-A-Day Vitamins for Men has no iron.

I have two sets of multivitamins; one with iron, one without. On days that I know I'm low or nil on red meat consumption, I take the multi with iron. I also tend to take the iron multi during TOM.

I've heard that iron supplements cause constipation. Do those of you on Adkins and using iron supplements have this problem?

Hello KMaryP,
It is Tina from Rockport, I hope you have a great time while you are here. I have not heard of the Port Royal that I can remember. Maybe it is the huge blue place. How long are you staying? Have you ever been to Rockport? Well good luck to you.

I take a supplement with iron, mostly because I too eat mostly chicken and pork... although I do get a good amount of spinach (I prefer spinach to lettuce in my salads). So far no problems.... as for the constipation issue, I have less trouble with that since I started this WOE than I did before, even with the iron sup. (Of course, it could be those sugar alcohols countering... LOL)

Hey Tina,
I tried to PM you but it said your box was full. Get rid of some of that junk!

I have never used PM I will see what is all in it and try to clean it out. Hummm.

I use a multivitamin w/ iron..and i'm back up ... what do you guys recommend for that?