World Thalassemia Day: Green Veggies, Dates, Raisins And Other Foods To Avoid & Why

Nutritional deficiencies are common in thalassemia.

It is recommended that patients going through blood transfusion should opt for a low iron diet. Avoiding iron-fortified foods like cereal, red meat, green leafy vegetables & Vitamin C-rich foods is the best option for thalassemic patients.

On World Thalassemia Day, Dr Sunil Gupta, Senior Consultant (Paediatrics) at Saroj Super-Speciality Hospital, Dr Ian Pinto, Consultant Blood & Cancer Specialist, Jaslok Hospital & Research Center and dietician Jasleen Kaur share a list of food items that blood transfusion patients should avoid.

Watermelon, the summer fruit, is high on nutrients, especially iron. The high levels of Vitamin C enables the body to absorb iron faster and more efficiently.

Dates are usually recommended for people with low hemoglobin count, iron content in the red blood cells. Hence, it should be eliminated from the diet.

Green and leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage are known as iron-rich food items. These are on top of the 'food-not-to-eat' list for thalassemic patients.

Peas and every types of beans like chickpeas, black-eyed peas, kidney beans, soybeans, etc, contain highest amounts of iron content.

While raisins contain fewer amounts of Vitamin C, it is high on minerals, mostly iron. Hence, it should be avoided by patients at all time.

Iron tends to easily absorb in bodies of meat-eaters more than vegetarians. It is recommended that patients avoid red meat like beef, mutton and pork.

While peanut butter contains moderate amount of iron, it should still be avoided for daily consumption. Combined with consumption of meat, it can shoot the iron content up.