Popeye was onto something! Not only does spinach have twice the amount of iron per serving than beef, it also has fiber and is missing the saturated fats found in red meat. True, the iron in non-animal foods is absorbed less than from animal sources but that can be improved by having vitamin C or a food rich in vitamin C with your iron-containing foods or supplements. Also, the polyphenols in black tea can further prohibit iron absorption so it’s best to avoid drinking black tea with a meal containing iron. Spinach may be an obvious alternative to beef when looking to nutritionally boost your iron but did you know about these surprising sources of iron?* Blackstrap molasses , 2.39 mg iron per 2 tsp Try replacing some of the honey or agave called for in a recipe with blackstrap molasses like in these gluten free dairy free Pumpkin Gingerbread Cookies . Dark chocolate , 2.3 mg iron per ounce Do I have to give you any more reasons to indulge in dark chocolate?