Question

2. Iron is an essential nutrient, especially for teenagers. It is a component of red blood cells and is needed to carry oxygen to growing muscles and tissues. Teenagers need around 12 to 15 mg of iron each day. Luckily, many cereals and baked goods are fortified with iron. This means that iron is added to them.

a) What foods have high levels of iron? Look at the food pyramid; items in the meat group generally have a lot of iron. (2 points)

b) Based on the pyramid and what you know about iron, do you think you get enough iron in your diet?

c) People who lack iron in their diets are at risk of anemia. This condition causes weakness in the body and a decreased capacity for learning. Why would a lack of iron cause anemia? Think about the function of red blood cells in the body to help you answer this question.

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

a) Foods that have high levels of iron include items in the meat group such as beef, pork, poultry, and fish. Other good sources of iron include beans, lentils, tofu, fortified cereals, spinach, and other dark leafy greens.

b) Generally speaking, individuals who consume a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods from each food group, including meat, beans, fortified cereals, and leafy greens, are likely to get enough iron in their diet. However, individuals who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet may need to take additional steps to ensure they are getting enough iron, as plant-based sources of iron are not as easily absorbed by the body as animal-based sources.

c) A lack of iron can cause anemia because iron is a key component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body's tissues. Without enough iron, the body is unable to produce enough hemoglobin, which can lead to a decreased capacity for learning and weakness in the body. This is because oxygen is essential for the proper functioning of the body's cells, and a lack of oxygen can lead to a range of health problems.