There's no doubt about it: Getting some children to eat a proper diet can be tough. On top of that, young children often prefer formula or milk all to solid foods. These types of eating challenges can lead to anemia in children. Anemia, while common among children, is also avoidable and treatable.
Definition of Anemia
Anemia is a medical condition where there isn't enough oxygen in the blood to adequately supply the cells. The Nemours Foundation explains that the body needs iron to provide energy and promote the health of all tissues. If a person doesn't consume enough iron in her diet, she will have low iron levels in her blood--anemia.
Symptoms
The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that a child with anemia is at risk of the side effects and symptoms of iron deficiency, including irritability, weakness, fatigue and shortness of breath. Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics states that children with anemia could experience a rapid heart beat.
Milk Intake
One of the leading contributors to anemia in children is excessive milk intake. Therefore, an important dietary change for anemic children is decreasing the amount of milk they consume. Cow's milk is low in iron, and many children drink too much of it instead of eating iron-rich foods, according to the Nemours Foundation. Children should drink no more than 16 ounces of milk a day, leaving room in their bellies for iron-rich foods.
Heme Iron
Anemic children can boost the iron levels in their bodies by eating more heme iron, according to the National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements. Heme iron is the type of iron found in animal products, such as beef, chicken, pork and fish. This type of iron is absorbed the best, so eating foods with heme iron a few times a day can help rid a child of anemia.
Non-Heme Iron
Non-heme iron is the type that is present in plant foods, including beans, lentils, nuts, whole grains and peanut butter. The Office of Dietary Supplements recommends that anemic children eat a variety of non-heme iron sources throughout the day in addition to foods with heme iron. The iron in these foods is absorbed better if consumed at the same time as something with vitamin C. For example, an anemic child could drink a glass of orange juice with his peanut butter and jelly sandwich for maximum benefits.
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