Protein Considerations

[MikePollard]

A couple of weeks ago I posted that I'd been knocked back for a blood donation. That got my attention. I also mentioned that I hadn't been eating too much meat of late. Thinking back I realised I'd got into a bad habit of just grabbing a piece of cheese, a few nuts and cups of coffee with double cream. Satiating yes, but not entirely balanced.

So I've changed focus. Having concentrated on low carb, high fat to the detriment of overall health in that my iron levels were low and will now be eating protein with every high fat meal, even if it's just a little. That way it will be doubly satiating and restore the balance.

[Arthrath]

For iron eat lots of dark green leafy veg. Savoy cabbage, kale, etc.

Forgot to add, you need vitamin ‘c’ to absorb iron . I’m sure that dark green leafy veg has some vit. C . Liver ... none, so add something with vit. C to your meal.

My gran had a bout of iron deficiency in the 1930’s and they made her eat raw liver with a glass of orange juice. Yum!

[KetoQueen]

Iron absorption is a complex thing. We can’t all do it & not all the time. It’s much easier to absorb iron from red meat than green vegetables. Even then, not everyone at every moment of their lives can absorb iron from their diet. I am particularly weird in the blood /iron department and despite eating meat 3 perhaps 4 times a day, still need iron transfusions. A lack of B12 can limit our absorption of iron too. Not saying this is relevant to you, but it’s an extra bit of chat on the topic.

[Subtle_badger in reply to KetoQueen]

And the iron in green veggies is much more easily absorbed in the presence of haeme iron.

[Subtle_badger]

You are in lockstep with diet doctor. They are increasing the amount of protein the recommend.

One interesting thing they said: there is a theory that our bodies will get us to keep eating until we have eaten enough protein. That would be an alternative explanation of why processed foods are so unsatiating.

dietdoctor.com/food-policy/...

[Midori]

Sounds like a good idea. they don't often knock you back unless your haemoglobin is low.

Cheers, Midori

[Zendaya]

Black pudding is also high in iron. Personally I love it for breakfast but it's not for everyone. As others have said iron absorption is very complex. For example drinking a cup of tea with your meals can prevent iron absorption. It may be worth getting it checked out with your GP as you may need a course of tablets to get your levels back up. If they are very low it can be difficult to judge how much impact your diet alone is having.

[Subtle_badger in reply to Zendaya]

Unfortunately for this group, black pudding has quite a lot of carbs. I keep it as a rare treat.

[Zendaya in reply to Subtle_badger]

Yes definitely! I found it useful when I anaemia after surgery as the iron content is good but the carbs are not so good. Anemia is awful though so really important to get that sorted x

[Subtle_badger in reply to Zendaya]

Just worth mentioning (I got turned away for low iron in what turned out would have been my last blood donation), that they make it clear you don't have anaemia, just that you might have after the donation. You will feel fine and indeed be fine, but they won't take your blood.

[Zendaya in reply to Subtle_badger]

Yes I think the only way to know is with a blood test. Also too much iron is really dangerous. I think people often think they have anemia when they don't and can take iron supplements unnecessarily. You can make your own keto friendly black pudding but you need to add pigs blood which isn't readily available! X

[Subtle_badger in reply to Zendaya]

The NHS Blood Bank does to a blood test if you fail the specific gravity test. It's instantaneous, like a blood glucose test. So Mike (and I) know(s) our iron level. Mine was well above anaemia, but below their safety threshold.

I did actually investigate making my own black pudding, but decided against it. I found that you can buy a kg of dried pigs blood from Amazon for around £11, so maybe keep it in a cupboard as a natural iron supplement.

Or it could have other uses 🤔

Carrie, 1976

[Zendaya in reply to Subtle_badger]

Ha looks like I have misunderstood this thread. I thought it was about concern over low Hb which is an important concern. Apologies for the misunderstanding x

[Subtle_badger in reply to Zendaya]

Yeah, that's what it's about.

Sorry I found the idea of buying dried pigs blood a bit macabre.

[Professor-Yaffle in reply to Subtle_badger]

😂Great bit of info re sourcing dried pigs blood. I love black pudding. Thanks Subtle_badger 😂