Ever feel like you’re running on empty, even when you’re doing everything “right”? After having a baby👩‍🍼, I realized a hard truth: Our health is often the first thing to fall through the cracks. Here’s what I learned—and how I’m helping women change that. 🧵

The problem may not be how much iron you’re eating, but whether your body is actually absorbing it.

Check out my latest article: Why High-Achieving Women Are Overlooking This Critical Factor for Peak Performance https://t.co/7Frp9p1RP7 via @LinkedIn

We don’t always have time to spend hours in the kitchen to eat well. Having these pantry staples on hand makes it so much easier to support energy levels without extra stress. What’s your favorite iron-rich go-to meal or snack? Drop your go-to below! ⬇️

📝 A Quick Note on RDA: The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for iron = 18 mg/day for women of reproductive age. 💡 New or breastfeeding moms? Your needs are even higher!

7️⃣ Dark Chocolate 🍫 ✨ Why it’s great: A treat with benefits! 70%+ dark chocolate contains non-heme iron & antioxidants. 🩸 Iron content: 1 oz. = ~15% of your RDA. 💁🏻‍♀️ Pro tip: Pair with dried apricots for a sweet & iron-rich snack.

6️⃣ Quinoa 🍚 ✨ Why it’s great: A plant-based, iron-rich grain that works as a base for meals. 🩸 Iron content: 1 cup cooked = ~15% of your RDA. 💁🏻‍♀️ Pro tip: Add roasted veggies & pumpkin seeds for an even bigger nutrient boost.

5️⃣ Dried Apricots 🍑 ✨ Why it’s great: A portable, non-heme iron snack that’s naturally sweet. 🩸 Iron content: A small handful (5-6 pieces) = ~5% of your RDA. 💁🏻‍♀️ Pro tip: Pair with nuts 🥜 for an energy-packed snack.

4️⃣ Canned Tuna or Salmon 🐟 ✨ Why it’s great: A quick, no-cook option packed with heme iron & omega-3s. 🩸 Iron content: 1 can = ~7% of your RDA. 💁🏻‍♀️ Pro tip: Toss with spinach & citrus dressing 🍊 for an iron-boosting combo.

3️⃣ Lean Red Meat 🥩 ✨ Why it’s great: One of the most efficient ways to boost iron levels with heme iron. 🩸 Iron content: 3 oz. cooked beef = ~12-15% of your RDA. 💁🏻‍♀️ Pro tip: Pair with vitamin C (like roasted bell peppers 🌶️) to maximize absorption.

2️⃣ Eggs 🥚 ✨ Why it’s great: Quick, versatile, & packed with heme iron (the kind your body absorbs best!). 🩸 Iron content: 2 large eggs = ~10% of your RDA. 💁🏻‍♀️ Pro tip: Add spinach for a double iron boost!

1️⃣ Spinach 🌱 ✨ Why it’s great: A classic non-heme iron source perfect for smoothies, salads, soups, or sautéed as a side. 🩸 Iron content: 1 cup cooked = ~20% of your RDA. 💁🏻‍♀️ Pro tip: Pair with vitamin C (a squeeze of lemon 🍋) to boost absorption.

The secret to keeping your energy up while juggling a million things? ✨ Iron-rich pantry staples you can actually rely on. ✨ Without the right foods on hand, I was making things harder for myself. 7 staples that save time and boost energy. 🧵👇

Iron deficiency isn’t always simple. If you’re still feeling exhausted even after supplementing, it’s worth taking a deeper look. 👉 Have you ever struggled with iron supplements not working?

So if you’re struggling with iron deficiency, don’t stop at “just take a supplement.” Ask yourself: 💡 Am I getting enough iron? 💡 Or is my body struggling to use it? The answer could change everything.

Solution? ✔️ Address the root cause (chronic inflammation, stress, gut health). ✔️ Support iron metabolism, not just intake. ✔️ Check markers beyond ferritin & hemoglobin. Iron supplements alone won’t fix this. You need to unlock the iron your body already has.

What causes it? 🔥 Chronic inflammation is a major culprit. When your body is inflamed (from stress, illness, or autoimmune conditions), it locks iron away—making you feel iron deficient even if your levels look normal.

➡️ Functional Iron Deficiency 🔥 This one is less obvious but just as important. Your body has iron, but it can’t use it properly. Iron is trapped in storage instead of being available for essential functions like oxygen transport.

Solution? ✔️ Increase iron intake (food + supplements). ✔️ Optimize absorption (pair iron with vitamin C & avoid drinking coffee/tea with meals). ✔️ Monitor levels regularly. Sounds simple, but what if supplements aren’t working?

What causes it? 🔹 Not consuming enough iron. 🔹 Heavy menstrual cycles. 🔹 Pregnancy. 🔹 Chronic blood loss (like from a GI condition).

➡️ Absolute Iron Deficiency 🩸 This is the type most people know: Your iron levels are low—your body simply doesn’t have enough iron to function properly.