Veal heart contains 4.3 milligrams of iron per 100 grams. Grams is a measure of weight. To put 100 grams in perspective, consider alternative measures for this food:
- 1 unit equals 198 grams.
- 3 oz equals 85 grams.
In the category of meat, we included whole food products in the Top 10 list. Processed foods may be fortified with iron but are not included in this Top 10 list.The food tested for the particular graph below can be described more specifically as:
Veal, variety meats and by-products, heart, cooked, braised
Read more about iron in meat or visit our iron-rich foods list.
Meat is an outstanding iron source, especially red meat. Red meat gets its color, in fact, from the high iron content. People who enjoy red meat do not generally struggle with low iron. If you do consume red meat and have low levels of iron, speak with your health care provider about your circumstances because you may have complicating issues, from your digestive system to unusual amounts of blood loss.
Meats in general have a further advantage of allowing your body to metabolize more iron from non-meat sources. Plant-based iron is usually locked in iron inhibitors, making plant-based iron more difficult to metabolize. Even small bits of meat can help your body to absorb the iron and carry it into your red blood cells where your body needs it. Learn more about meat as an iron enhancer at the
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.