A blood count measures the components in your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Commonly referred to as a complete blood count, or CBC, this test is ordered to determine if anemia, or low blood count, is present. Anemia is the end result of many medical disorders including cancers such as leukemia, malnutrition, major surgery and bleeding disorders such as excessive menstrual periods and gastrointestinal bleeds. Eating to increase your blood count will only be successful if the underlying problem is corrected.
Step 1
Discuss your low blood count with your physician. Learn which cells are lacking -- red or white blood cells, platelets or all of the above. Certain additional precautions are required with food preparation if your white blood cells are low, including thorough cooking and cleansing of foods to prevent illness.
Step 2
Eat more protein in the form of red meats and poultry, if you are not a vegetarian. Animal proteins are rich in iron, a mineral that helps the bone marrow produce hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is part of the red blood cell that carries oxygen throughout your body. A deficiency in hemoglobin can cause fatigue and shortness of breath.
Step 3
Increase blood cell count by eating fresh kale and broccoli. Tofu, dried fruit, peas and soybeans are additional vegetarian sources of iron needed to elevate blood counts.
Step 4
Get your daily vitamins through a well-balanced diet rife with vegetables and fruits. White blood cell deficiencies affect your immune system and leave you open to opportunistic infections. Eating plenty of fresh or raw vegetables, after washing them thoroughly, will provide micronutrients to boost immune system function and blood cell production in your bone marrow.
Step 5
Obtain fresh vitamin C in your diet by consuming citrus fruits daily. Citrus fruits, including oranges and grapefruit, are excellent sources of vitamin C, which your body needs to absorb dietary iron. Without this powerful micronutrient, you will not obtain the maximum benefit of increasing your blood count with iron.
