A nurse is planning nutritional teaching for a client with fatigue due to iron deficiency anemia. Which food should the nurse recommend?

• A. Canned black beans
• B. Raisins
• C. Black tea
• D. Whole milk

Answer: (A)

Fatigue from iron deficiency improves when dietary iron is increased and absorbed efficiently. The best choice here is a food that provides a substantial amount of iron from plant sources and can be easily incorporated into meals. Canned black beans fit that need, offering a good amount of non-heme iron along with fiber and protein, making them a practical and effective option for boosting iron intake.

Raisins do contain iron, but the amount is much less and they’re not as reliable a source for meeting daily needs. Black tea contains tannins that bind iron and reduce its absorption, so drinking it with meals can actually hinder iron uptake. Whole milk supplies calcium rather than iron, and calcium can interfere with iron absorption, so it isn’t helpful as a primary iron source.

For best results, pair iron-rich plant foods like beans with vitamin C–rich foods (such as citrus fruits or peppers) to enhance absorption.