Women's health5 min
A Squeeze of Lemon on Dal and Greens
Squeezing lemon on iron-containing foods like dal and spinach, and keeping tea apart from meals, to help absorb iron. A food habit; not a treatment for anaemia.
Important: this remedy is only a supportive home measure. Keep taking any medicine your doctor has prescribed, monitor your readings, and consult your doctor before adding anything new.
Vitamin C helps iron
Plant foods such as dal, spinach and chana contain iron, but the body absorbs it less easily than iron from meat. Vitamin C from lemon helps absorb plant iron, while tea and coffee taken with meals can reduce it.
Squeeze half a lemon on your dal or greens just before eating and keep tea an hour away from meals. This is a food habit and not a treatment for anaemia.
Ingredients
- Half a lemon
- A bowl of dal
- A bowl of cooked spinach or methi
How to prepare
- Cook dal and greens as usual.
- Squeeze lemon on the plate, not into boiling food.
How to use
- Eat with the squeeze of lemon.
- Have tea one hour before or after meals.
Helpful habits
- Add tomato for extra vitamin C.
- Cook in an iron kadhai.
Precautions
- Anaemia needs a doctor's check and treatment.
- Acid reflux: use less lemon.
- A food habit, not a treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Is lemon enough for anaemia?
- No, see a doctor if you are anaemic.
Can I use amla instead?
- Yes, it is rich in vitamin C.
Does tea reduce iron?
- Yes, a little, so keep it apart from meals.
