You must have heard on one of your visits to the doctor,the acronym 'PCV'.
PCV is simply the 'packed cell volume'- the percentage or volume of red blood cells (erythrocytes) in the blood!
Sometimes the percentage is relatively low in children due to different reasons, it could be due to eating a diet deficient in iron, folic acid and vitamin b12.
To avoid anaemia,its important to top up your PCV. How?you may ask, Thankfully,there are natural foods that help to ensure the PCV is at the appropriate level. Because my area of interest is child nutrition and cooking, this blog will not only identify PCV boosters but also give ideas about how to creatively incorporate them into kids meals,especially picky eaters.
Without making this blog as complex as a thesis,ill list my top 3 favourite natural foods high in iron.
1)Pumpkin Leaves: Locally known as Ugwu leaves,in igbo language,these leaves are very high in iron and can be used to cure anaemia.it can be prepared as soup,juice or added to fruit smoothies. Its important to note that it also has sugar reducing properties and excess of it can cause hypoglycaemia. Watch out on my blog,for kid friendly recipes that incorporate ugwu creatively.
2)Sorghum Pap: Locally known as 'ogi baba',in Yoruba language,when prepared as pap,it boosts PCV because of its rich iron content. It also supplies phosphorus,calcium and some Zinc. Add it to the kids breakfast menu and watch out for a visible difference. Infact, without doing a packed cell volume lab test, physical observation of the child's eyes, the palm,and lips can reveal the improvement in red blood cells.
3) Jute leaves(Ewedu): Ewedu leaf ,for those who dont kow it ,is the local name for the Genus Corchorus .
Different common names are used in different contexts, with the name "jute" applying to the fibre produced from the plant, 'Mallow-Leaves" for the leaves used as a vegetable. Ewedu is rich in iron therefore a good natural blood tonic.its also rich in other important nutrients like betacarotene,calcium and vitamin C. You may be interested in reading my blog on 'preserving leafy greens by freezing'
PCV is simply the 'packed cell volume'- the percentage or volume of red blood cells (erythrocytes) in the blood!
Sometimes the percentage is relatively low in children due to different reasons, it could be due to eating a diet deficient in iron, folic acid and vitamin b12.
To avoid anaemia,its important to top up your PCV. How?you may ask, Thankfully,there are natural foods that help to ensure the PCV is at the appropriate level. Because my area of interest is child nutrition and cooking, this blog will not only identify PCV boosters but also give ideas about how to creatively incorporate them into kids meals,especially picky eaters.
Without making this blog as complex as a thesis,ill list my top 3 favourite natural foods high in iron.
1)Pumpkin Leaves: Locally known as Ugwu leaves,in igbo language,these leaves are very high in iron and can be used to cure anaemia.it can be prepared as soup,juice or added to fruit smoothies. Its important to note that it also has sugar reducing properties and excess of it can cause hypoglycaemia. Watch out on my blog,for kid friendly recipes that incorporate ugwu creatively.
2)Sorghum Pap: Locally known as 'ogi baba',in Yoruba language,when prepared as pap,it boosts PCV because of its rich iron content. It also supplies phosphorus,calcium and some Zinc. Add it to the kids breakfast menu and watch out for a visible difference. Infact, without doing a packed cell volume lab test, physical observation of the child's eyes, the palm,and lips can reveal the improvement in red blood cells.
3) Jute leaves(Ewedu): Ewedu leaf ,for those who dont kow it ,is the local name for the Genus Corchorus .
Different common names are used in different contexts, with the name "jute" applying to the fibre produced from the plant, 'Mallow-Leaves" for the leaves used as a vegetable. Ewedu is rich in iron therefore a good natural blood tonic.its also rich in other important nutrients like betacarotene,calcium and vitamin C. You may be interested in reading my blog on 'preserving leafy greens by freezing'
http://rohsspace-stuff.blogspot.com.ng/2013/07/preserving-green-leafy-vegetables-by.html?m=0
Follow my blog to get fun and creative recipes for these natural blood tonics.
Thanks for stopping by.
Follow my blog to get fun and creative recipes for these natural blood tonics.
Thanks for stopping by.
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