Diet for Hemochromatosis

Hemochromatosis is an iron overload disorder that causes sufferers to absorb and store too much iron. Passed down from generation to generation, the disorder affects men more than women because women bleed during their monthly period. Men must have some of their blood removed in a procedure called a phlebotomy, done once every few weeks for a few months or a few years. Patients must watch their diets so they don't consume too much iron.

Meats

Eat red meat sparingly. Red meat contains heme iron, which your body readily absorbs. Since your body is already producing excess iron, you don't want to consume it in your diet. Stick with fish or chicken. Neither contains any heme iron. They contain a minimal amount of iron, and are a healthier choice for you anyway because of their lower fat content.

Fruits and Vegetables

There is no limit to the amount of fruits and vegetables you can eat. Vegetables may contain iron, but they don't contain heme iron. In fact, spinach is an excellent choice because it stops the absorption of iron in your body. Add some fresh spinach to your salads or make a spinach quiche. Consume the daily recommended three to five servings of vegetables and two to four servings of fruit.

High Fiber Foods

High-fiber foods reduce the amount of iron absorbed by the body, the goal of a patient suffering from hemochromatosis. Nuts, beans, brown rice, and whole grains are rich in fiber. Eat nuts by themselves or throw them on top of your ice cream. Beans make a tasty a side dish or can be tossed into a salad. Lay a piece of boneless chicken breast on top of some brown rice or use the rice as a side dish for your fish. As for the grains, you can find a delicious cereal such as Frosted Mini Wheats which contains the grains that are high in fiber.

Beverages

Of course you will want to drink a lot of water to keep your body as flushed of toxins as you can. There are two other beverages that are perfect for an individual suffering from hemochromatosis: coffee and tea. These beverages contain an ingredient called tannins, which stop the absorption of iron. A cup or two of coffee or tea each day will help you keep your hemochromatosis under control.