Iron is a vital mineral and it is important to make sure you’re getting enough in your diet. Iron contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. It also plays an important role in normal energy metabolism, oxygen transport, cognitive function, immune function and the formation of red blood cells and haemoglobin.
If we do not have a good iron intake, our bodies won’t function as well as they should. Some cereals can be a great way to ensure you are getting enough iron.
Iron fortified cereals are a great way to add iron to your diet. If you are unable to meet your body’s iron needs through food alone, Active Iron is a safe and easily absorbed iron supplement. Click here to visit our store!
Fortified Breakfast Cereals High In Iron
Some breakfast cereals contain a good amount of iron as they have been fortified with the mineral. Very few breakfast cereals naturally contain high levels of iron, so it is often added by the manufacturers to make them a better source of the nutrient.
Some breakfast cereals are an excellent source of iron because they have been fortified well. However, always check the label for iron content and take care to notice the other ingredients too. It may be a good idea to choose a breakfast cereal that has good iron content, but low sugar. Many ready-to-eat breakfast cereals are full of unhealthy added sugars.
Iron Rich Cereals: What Cereals Are High In Iron?
It can be difficult to find the best iron rich cereals when there is so much choice. There are many breakfast cereals available and it can be a challenge to identify which is the best one for you. We’ve put this list together so you can choose a breakfast cereal that has good iron content.
Getting all the iron you need can be difficult, 14mg is the RDA, so we’ve included the iron content of these cereals for you to help you achieve your iron intake goals.
Iron Rich Cereals
Grape Nuts Flakes 28mg/100g
Made with whole grains & a source of fibre, Grape Nuts Flakes is also a good source of iron.
Special K 14mg/100g
If donning your best red dress is not enough of an incentive, then it may surprise you that Special K and the many varieties of Special K are fortified with iron and make this a great breakfast cereal choice.
Multigrain Cheerios 12mg/100g
A classic breakfast choice, Multigrain Cheerios are made with whole grains and fortified with minerals and vitamins, including iron.
Wheat Biscuits 12mg/100g
Wheat biscuits are a breakfast favourite for many, served warm or cold. Weetabix are a good dietary source of iron and fibre and lower in sugar than many other cereals. There is approx. 4.5mg of iron per 2 biscuits of Weetabix.
Rice Krispies 8mg/100g
These little rice puffs snapped, crackled, and popped into our lives in the 1920s and have been providing children with an iron rich breakfast cereal ever since.
Cornflakes 8mg/100g
Cornflakes is an iron rich cereal due to fortification techniques to enrich this cereal with vitamins and minerals.
Bran Flakes 8mg/100g
Almost synonymous with fibre and healthy breakfast choices throughout the 80s and 90s Bran Flakes can also be a source of iron.
Note: All values correct on date of publishing, check with your local health authority for more details. Values may vary depending on manufacturer.
Cereals high in iron available in UK & Ireland
• Healthwise Bran Flakes
• Kellogg’s Multigrain Cheerios
• Kellogg’s Special K, Original
• Weetabix
Iron Supplementation Even If You Eat An Iron Rich Breakfast Cereal
Eating a breakfast cereal that is high iron alone may not be sufficient to provide your body with the iron it needs for essential functions such as blood cell production and oxygen transport.
Following a varied diet and healthy lifestyle should allow you to meet your iron needs. However, it’s important to be aware of other foods that temporarily stop your body from absorbing iron, like tea and coffee. If you are unable to meet your iron needs through your diet and you choose to supplement, consider an iron supplement that is suitable for Vegetarians and kind on your system.