Diet for Anemia and High Cholesterol

[mpemba99]

I was recently diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia and am taking an iron supplement. I also have a history of high cholesterol, for which I have been maintaining a low-fat, high fiber diet to control it. But I have read somewhere that fiber inhibits iron absorption and that best sources of heme iron are meats and poultry, foods which I had cut out of my diet because of the cholesterol issue. Any suggestions for how I can structure my diet to address both problems?

[mpemba99]

Thanks, I'll try your suggestions.

[Sechmeth]

Try a low GI diet instead. Eat low fat cuts of meat, high fat fish, lots of veggies and fruits. Cut down starchy and sugary foods instead (no or less bread, no potatoes, no rice etc, you will get the fibre from the veggies), and snack on a handful of raw nuts like walnuts, pecan and brazil nuts daily. To lower cholesterol (bad LDL) you actually need good fats like the ones in nuts, olive and canola oil. The nuts are also high in fibre and have additional minerals. The anemia problem is also easy to solve: eat a nice grilled lean steak regularly, and make sure to eat a fresh salad with peppers, tomatoes and greens etc as the side, with a lemon juice dressing. The vitamin C increases the iron absorption from meat.