Foods High in Fiber and Iron

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Oatmeal with blackberries. Bowlful of cereal. image by Monika 3 Steps Ahead from Fotolia.com

Iron, a mineral, is essential for various functions of your body, such as the production of red blood cells, according to the U.S. Office of Dietary Supplements. Meanwhile, MedlinePlus reports that dietary fiber aids in digestion and can have other beneficial effects, such as reducing cholesterol. Some foods have both fiber and iron, combining these two nutrients’ positive effects.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal with caramelized apples

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Oat products contain plenty of soluble fiber. Instant oatmeal, which can work as a conveniently fast-to-prepare meal, is also high in iron. The U.S. Office of Dietary Supplements reports that a single cup of hot oatmeal gives you 10 milligrams of iron.

Raisins

Raisins

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Raisins aren’t just a sweet and sticky snack. These dried, shriveled grapes also contain fiber and iron. Of the latter, the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University says just 1.5 ounces of raisins contains 0.81 milligrams of iron.

Beans

Assortment  different types of beans

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Beans are high in fiber and protein, and they’re one of the top sources of iron, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The amount of iron in the beans can vary depending on the type of bean and how you prepare it. For example, the U.S. Office of Dietary Supplements says that a cup of pinto beans provides 3.6 milligrams of iron.

Cashews

Roasted cashews

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Cashews deliver a boost of fiber and body-building protein. A 1-ounce handful of these nuts also gives you 1.89 milligrams of iron, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. You can eat them on their own or add them to other foods such as trail mix or granola.

Whole Wheat Bread

Variety of Breads

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Instead of reaching for white, fluffy bread, switch to whole wheat bread instead. A slice of bread gives you fiber plus iron to the tune of of 0.9 milligrams, according to the U.S. Office of Dietary Supplements. A traditional slice of white enriched bread has similar amounts of iron, but without the fiber found in whole wheat.