As you know I always like to offer a meat and vegetarian option whenever possible as I don’t eat meat but I don’t expect my family to follow suit. It is very easy to satisfy everyone with a little bit of planning. Yes it might take a little extra time or an extra pot or two but generally I think I keep everyone satisfied and happy.
As primarily a vegetarian I really have to watch my iron intake as mine is a little low and it is easy to overlook it. Iron is found in food in two forms, heme and non-heme iron. Heme iron, which makes up 40 percent of the iron in meat, poultry, and fish, is well absorbed. Non-heme iron, 60 percent of the iron in animal tissue and all the iron in plants (fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts) is less well absorbed. With this being said if one chooses to not eat meat a lot more effort needs to be taken to help suppliment this.The richest sources of heme iron in the diet include lean meat and seafood. Dietary sources of nonheme iron include nuts, beans, vegetables, and fortified grain products.
Iron is an essential nutrient because it is a central part of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood. Iron deficiency anemia is a worldwide health problem that is especially common in young women and in children.
In order to get my fill of iron in this meal I included the tofu. For a 100g of tofu there are 5.4mg of iron. Some studies suggest that tofu can prevent breast cancer, according to FitDay.com. But remember, if you do replace your meat with tofu, you would have to eat more to meet the daily recommended levels of protein.
