Need to boost your iron intake? Having these cereals high in iron for breakfast is the perfect way to start your mornings on the right foot and ensure that you’ll get your daily dose of iron.
Iron is a much needed nutrient in the body. Failure to consume enough iron can lead to iron deficiency anemia. Some symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include chest pain, dizziness, fatigue, poor appetite, headache, and more.
Fortunately, there are cereals high in iron that you can easily include in your diet. I’ve compiled some of them here, so you don’t have to search for them one by one. You’ll love having plenty of options to choose from.
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How can I raise my iron levels quickly?
Iron is responsible for the healthy development and growth of the skin, teeth, and bones. But most importantly, it is a vital component of the red blood cells that help in transporting oxygen throughout the body.
A lot of foods naturally contain iron. This includes potatoes, red meat, spinach, tofu, chocolate, beans, tomatoes, and more.
However, getting the required amount of iron that your body needs every day can still be a difficult task. Starting your day with a bowl of cereal high in iron is the best way to combat or prevent iron deficiency.
What cereal is good for low iron?
According to the FDA, a food product can be considered high in nutrients if it has at least 20% of the recommended daily value or %DV. This equals 3.6 mg of iron per serving based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Since iron is a significant nutrient for the growth and development of the body, your Recommended Daily Allowance or RDA varies depending on your gender and age group. If you have a health condition, please refer to this post from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to know your RDA.
Cereals high in iron or iron fortified cereals typically have 3.6 mg to 18 mg of iron per serving so make sure to check the labels. If you have iron deficiency, choosing a breakfast cereal with higher iron content is better for you.
To help you, I’ve included the iron content of each product here so you can easily decide which cereals are perfect for your diet.
15 Best Cereals High in Iron
These breakfast cereals are fortified with iron and are sure to help you get your required daily iron intake.
Ralston Enriched Bran Flakes Cereal is one of the best breakfast cereals high in iron. It has about 108% recommended daily value or 19.6 mg of iron per serving.
This old time favorite cereal is not only delicious but is high in iron as well. It has 60% or 10.8 mg of iron per serving.
If you're a fan of Malt-O-Meal, you'll love the fact that their Frosted Mini Spooners are also rich in iron. It contains 90% or 16.2 mg of iron per serving.
Excellent source of fiber and a good source of eight essential vitamins and minerals, specifically, iron. Post Grape Nuts The Original has 90% or 16.2 mg of iron per serving.
This multigrain cereal has 25g of whole grain and 45% or 8.1 mg of iron per serving. The kids and the adults are sure to love this Kellogg's Smart Start Cereal.
Another iron rich breakfast cereal from Kellog's, these Frosted Mini Wheats contain 100% or 18 mg of iron per serving.
Heart healthy, 100% made with whole grain, and a good source of fiber and iron, Quaker Oatmeal Squares have 90% or 16.5 mg of iron per serving.
Best Cereal for Iron and B12
Vitamin B12 is essential not only in forming DNA and red blood cells but it also plays an important role in the development and functions of nerve cells and the brain. Aside from being high in iron, these cereals also contain a fair amount of Vitamin B12.
Post Honey Bunches of Oats Crunchy Honey Roasted Cereal comes with 90% or 16.2 mg iron and 100% of Vitamin B12.
With 50% or 9.3 mg of iron and 15% of Vitamin B12 per serving, Kellogg's All Bran Cereal is also clearly an excellent choice. Plus, it comes in individual boxes and is ready to eat.
Made with whole grain oats, this heart healthy cereal has 20% or 3.6 mg of iron and 20% of Vitamin B12 per serving as well.
You can also try the original Cheerios if you want. Original Cheerios Heart Healthy Cereal has 70% or 12.6 mg of iron and 20% Vitamin B12 per serving.
If you love Honey Bunches of Oats Honey Roasted Cereal, you'll also love this Pecan & Maple Brown Sugar flavor. It contains 100% or 18 mg of iron and 100% of Vitamin B12 per serving as well.
Made with 34g of whole grain, 100% Vitamin B12 and 100% or 18mg of iron per serving, this breakfast cereal from General Mills will be an awesome choice too.
Gluten free and made with no artificial flavors or high fructose corn syrup, Rice Chex Breakfast Cereal is definitely a must try! It has 20% Vitamin B12 and 70% or 12.6 mg of iron per serving.
Did you know? Your favorite Kellog's Corn Flakes are high in iron and made with no artificial flavors and colors too. It contains 30% of Vitamin B12 and 60% or 12 mg of iron per serving.
Looking for more healthy breakfast ideas?
Aside from these cereals rich in iron, you might also want to give these healthy breakfast ideas a try. You can check out these recipe collections so you can enjoy your favorite breakfast items in more ways than one.