
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!
Your relationship with your finances is one of the most important relationships you'll ever have, and you can't avoid it. That said, for many of us, the pandemic only added to our financial stress. If you find yourself feeling frazzled, just remember that financial insecurity isn't a net-worth issue — it's a mindset issue. And, we happen to have plenty of advice on how to turn your money mindset around so you can take charge of your funds once and for all.
To start, feeling secure begins with a strong foundation, and there's no better time than now to get started stacking the bricks. It's easy to get swept up in the January "new year, new me" mentality, but really? Any time is the right time to get yourself in order. You don't need to wait for a new year, a new moon, the right moment, or a sign from above. You don't even have to start on the first day of the month — you just need to start.
Introducing NerdWallet: A Safe and Reliable Money App
To help with that, we've put together a list of the just-right-for-you ways that NerdWallet can help you monitor your financial outlook. Haven't heard of them yet? NerdWallet is a personal finance company that helps consumers make smarter financial decisions. Their website and app let you compare different financial products, find articles and tools to make financial decisions with confidence, and keep tabs on your finances (hey there, credit score, I see you!) all in one place. Plus, NerdWallet has over 75,000 glowing reviews in the App Store (and a 4.8 star rating) if you want to read up on any more testimonials.
Tim Chen, NerdWallet's CEO and co-founder, started this financial journey in 2009 after his sister needed help finding a credit card. Even with an economics degree and a Wall Street background, it took awhile for Tim to find the right recommendation (so don't feel too bad when it takes you a while, too). Their mission is to bring clarity to all of life's financial decisions.
So it's safe to say that NerdWallet is a pretty good sherpa for your journey, too.
Get the most from your money
Did you know that the money you park in a savings account can lose value? Harsh, but true. If your money isn't earning interest that's on pace with inflation it will actually be worth less to you in the future. And if the bank charges fees? Forget about it. Make sure you're earning the interest you deserve and come out on top. NerdWallet has researched dozens of financial institutions to help consumers find the best options. The hard work has already been done for you, so you can just select the account that works best for you and your nest egg.
Keep an eye on everything, securely
Once everything is set up, tracking and managing your finances is what will keep the money machine running smoothly. You can create an account either through the site or the app and link your bank accounts, then keep tabs on all your finances in one place. Get a clear picture of your saving and spending, get insights into how to master your money, and even build your credit score all in one place.
Get extra credit points
Do you have the best credit card for your lifestyle? Some cards give cash back on every purchase, ones with travel perks, and ones that charge way less interest than you're paying now. NerdWallet takes the guesswork out of choosing the right credit card with simple side-by-side comparisons of different credit cards so that you feel confident choosing the right one. Whatever you want to do, NerdWallet can help you find the best credit card to get it done.
Know your options for settling down
Mortgage rates are pretty low and it looks like they're going to stay that way for awhile, so buying a home might be the move sooner than you think. But there's so much more to a mortgage than just the interest rate! To help you choose a mortgage lender, NerdWallet has in-depth reviews on multiple lenders in a mixture of categories so you get the home loan with the mortgage rate, term, and fees that's right for you.
Settle an old score
NerdWallet helps you monitor your credit score for free and helps you see how little things (like raising the limit on your credit card or paying your bills on time) can increase your score. NerdWallet partners with TransUnion® to provide your VantageScore® 3.0, based on information in your TransUnion® credit report. Your score and credit report information are updated weekly. But that's not even close to all:
- They provide you with tips from experts on how you could build or optimize your credit score
- You'll get a detailed look at your credit score and all the factors that go into it—your payment history, credit utilization, the age and type of accounts, balances, and any recent inquiries
- The credit simulator tool gives you an idea of how your credit score would change if you applied for a new credit card, closed your oldest credit card, or got a new auto loan
- You also get free, unlimited access to your credit report
When it comes to managing your money, safe and reliable is where it's at. Establishing a healthy relationship with your finances begins when you take control and practice habits that build wealth. Signing up just takes a few minutes. Set your intentions to build a solid financial foundation, it will only strengthen your relationship with your finances. And don't be afraid to get a little nerdy while you're at it.
Photo via Shutterstock