The person may be fatigued, have cold feelings, lack energy, and have shortness of breath during exercise. A person may also begin to have a pale complexion. Iron deficiency can very easily be prevented. Eating plenty of foods rich in iron helps. Effective management of iron deficiency relies on finding out what is causing the particular iron deficiency and having a way to replace the iron that is being lost.
Meat is a good source of iron, especially liver.
Other foods that are recommended are eggs, fish, poultry, vegetables, potatoes, rice, iron fortified cereals, whole grains, dried beans, and peas. M.D. Tea and coffee can reduce the absorption of iron. Diet alone is seldom the sole cause for iron deficiency unless it prevents adequate response to a physical change. A person should only take medicine when it is needed, and iron supplements work the same way. A person should only take iron supplements when he or she needs iron, because the person is either not getting enough in their body through their diet, or because they have excessive blood loss.