Myth - If I stop eating red meat I will become iron-deficient

Fact - Vegetarians don't need need to eat meat to get enough iron

Vegetarian diets can contain as much or more iron than mixed diets that contain meat. In fact, researchers say that eliminating meat from the diet can be accomplished with little or no effect on total dietary iron content. For instance, 100 calories of cooked lentils (about ¾ of a cup) provide about 2mg more iron than 100 calories sirloin steak (this is about the same as a 60g piece of steak about the size of the palm of your hand). The majority of iron in a mixed diet comes from plant-based foods.

You might be surprised to know that, in Australia, meat contributes < 20% of total iron intake. The majority of iron comes from breads and cereals (including iron fortified cereals), soy products, legumes, dried fruits, nuts.¹

Compare amounts of Iron in Vegie Delights products to other foods

References

¹Mangels, A. R. (2006). "Iron in the Vegan Diet" Vegetarian Resource Group Newsletter. http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/iron.htm