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Whether you eat meat on the regular or prefer to avoid it, there are tons of delicious ways to add iron to your diet. Here, we’ve gathered 16 tasty recipes featuring more than just spinach and beef that’ll help keep anemia at bay. We’re talking legumes, chicken, pork, leafy greens and so much more. To stave off dietary boredom, we made sure to include a diverse assortment of flavors so you can feel good about planning a whole week’s worth (or more) of meals using this collection as your guide.
1. Lemon Butter Chicken: Chicken thighs are a better source of iron than the typical breasts, and these golden, crisp-tender pieces enrobed in a creamy lemon butter sauce will definitely hit the spot. (via Damn Delicious)
2. Chopped Green Garden Salad: A luxurious avocado-lime dressing is just the thing to help this assortment of nutrient-rich green veggies, apple and pumpkin seeds go down. (via Veganosity)
3. Thai Larb: Make these flavorful wraps with chicken breasts, thighs or even pork. It may not be traditional, but feel free to up your iron intake by swapping out the iceberg lettuce for collard green leaves. (via Bon Appétit)
4. Smokey Black Bean Tostadas (Vegan, Gluten-Free): These healthy tostadas top crisp, faux-fried corn tortillas with creamy black beans, spinach and a smokey garlic sauce. No one will even miss the meat. (via Delish Knowledge)
5. Brie + Caramelized Onion Burger: Treat yourself to these thick, oversized burgers topped with rich brie and sweet caramelized onions. (via Salt Pepper Skillet)
6. Coconut-Braised Chicken Thighs With Kale and Sweet Potatoes: Who knew superfoods could taste so good? You only need five ingredients and one pan to throw it all together. (via My Modern Cookery)
7. Pepperoni Meatballs Spaghetti: Add a smattering of pepperoni to the mixture of beef, pork, aromatics and spices to make these meatballs extra irresistible and totally unique. (via Lady and Pups)
8. Apricot-Almond Chia Pudding: You don’t need to wait until dinner for an iron boost. This porridge loaded with apricots and almonds will start your day off right. (via Edibly Educated)
9. Chili-Rubbed Flank Steak With Chimichurri Sauce: Herbal, kicky chimichurri is a delicious accompaniment for slices of this spice-rubbed flank steak. Leftovers make a delicious sandwich or salad topper the next day. (via Joyful Healthy Eats)
10. Moules Frites (Paleo): Making this classic French dish at home couldn’t be easier. And using hard cider in place of the usual wine is a lovely twist. (via Stupid Easy Paleo)
11. Fatted Calf’s Meatloaf: This certainly isn’t your grandma’s meatloaf. Fresh breadcrumbs and a light hand when mixing keep it from becoming leaden. (via Food52)
12. 5-Ingredient Apricot, Prune and Walnut Energy Bites: Enjoy popping these healthy bites when you need a little extra pep in your step during the day. With their sweet taste, they’ll help satisfy any candy cravings. (via The Gold Lining Girl)
13. Spiced Coconut Dal (Vegetarian): Cooking already nutritious lentils with a host of spices provides them with a delightful addition of antioxidants. Make this dal a meal by serving it layered with sautéed spinach and tempeh — two terrific, meatless sources of iron. (via Poppies and Papayas)
14. Beer and Balsamic Braised Pork Cavatappi: A bowlful of this pasta tangled with super tender shredded pork will certainly put you in a good mood. Select enriched noodles for an extra dose of vitamins and minerals. (via Cooking for Keeps)
15. Black Bean Edamame Burger: The combo of black beans and edamame along with mushrooms, grains and vegetables gives these veggie burgers fantastic flavor and texture. Even omnivores are sure to find them satisfying. (via Hip Foodie Mom)
16. Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten-Free): The chickpeas and almond butter found in these guilt-free cookies are two sneaky sources of the good stuff. To satisfy intense chocolate cravings, feel free to add an extra helping of morsels to the batter. (via Brit + Co)
What are some of your favorite iron-rich recipes or foods? Share with us below!
Heather Sage is a gluten-free recipe developer and freelance writer living in Orlando by way of the Silicon Valley. When she isn’t playing around with alternative flours in the kitchen, she can be found tackling DIY projects around the house or exploring her neighborhood. Check out her gluten-free recipe blog, A Sage Amalgam.
More From Recipes
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.
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