Which are common iron-rich foods?

• A. Red meat, poultry, fish, and fortified cereals.
• B. Dairy products and fruit.
• C. Leafy greens and legumes.
• D. Eggs and grains.

Answer: (A)

Iron in the diet comes in two forms: heme iron from animal foods and non-heme iron from plant foods. The most common and readily absorbed iron sources are animal meats (red meat, poultry, and fish) because they contain heme iron, which the body absorbs efficiently. Fortified cereals add iron through fortification, making them a reliable and widespread source of iron for many people. Dairy products and fruit aren’t notable iron sources, so they don’t contribute much to iron intake. Leafy greens and legumes do contain iron, but it’s non-heme iron with lower absorption, and eggs and grains provide iron that’s typically less abundant than the foods in the first group. So the combination of red meat, poultry, fish, and fortified cereals best represents common iron-rich foods.