Make sure your kids have an iron-rich diet.

It is hard to believe that mineral deficiencies exist in a developed country, but believe it or not, iron deficiency is still all too common in our society. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), iron deficiency exists in the United States to a degree sufficient to have an impact on intellectual growth in as many as one in fourteen toddlers and one in six teenage girls. This means that millions of children are affected! Toddlers, prekindergarten children, and menstruating teenage girls are three high-risk age groups that need to be ensured an iron-rich diet.
Children and parents might not notice the symptoms of iron deficiency, which can include decreased memory, poor school performance, impaired athletic performance, fatigue, irritability, headaches, and poor appetite. Kids with iron deficiency anemia tend to get sick more often. Children can usually get all the iron they need from a healthy diet; nonetheless, they should be screened at the appropriate ages during visits to the pediatrician to determine if they are getting enough iron.
The foods highest in iron are lean, red meats, raisins, spinach, and nuts, but iron can be found in varying amounts in almost all green vegetables as well as in nonred meats such as fish and poultry. Some children may need iron supplementation in addition to an iron-rich diet. Talk to your pediatrician about your child's individual iron needs.