What dietary recommendation should be made for a child with iron-deficiency anemia?

For a child with iron-deficiency anemia, increasing iron-rich foods, such as leafy greens and red meat, is crucial. Iron is a vital nutrient that helps form hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Children experiencing iron-deficiency anemia typically have low levels of hemoglobin, which can lead to symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and impaired growth.

Including foods rich in iron can help replenish the body's stores and improve overall hematological health. Leafy greens like spinach and kale are excellent sources of non-heme iron, while red meat provides heme iron, which is more readily absorbed by the body. Other good sources of iron include beans, lentils, nuts, fortified cereals, and poultry.

While options that suggest increasing dairy products or processed foods do not directly address the iron requirements, and increasing calcium intake can actually inhibit iron absorption when taken in high amounts, the focus on iron-rich foods is essential in the dietary management of iron-deficiency anemia in children.