Maybe!

Experts estimate that one-quarter of female athletes are iron deficient. According to one study, 36% of female and 6% of male participants were iron deficient. 

Those most at risk are women who have periods, especially heavy ones, women who are pregnant and those who exercise, especially endurance athletes.

Symptoms of low iron include:

• Feeling fatigued, dizzy, short attention span
• Headaches 
• Slow recovery after workouts 
• More colds than usual
• Hair loss
• Ulcers in the mouth, dry mouth, swelling mouth 
• Physically fatigue 
• Brittle nails
• Cold hands and feet 
• Skin that’s paler than usual, especially around eyelids and in the creases of the hands. 
• Heart palpitations

Why is it so important?

Iron is key to carrying oxygen through the body to deliver it to the muscles. It is also important for energy and metabolism. 

It is crucial as women to prioritize iron in our diets! Foods important for this are: 

• Red meats, pork, seafood.
• Dark leafy greens, spinach!
• Beans, peas
• Dried fruit
• “High in iron” cereals, breads and pastas
• Eggs 
• Eating these with foods high in vitamin C will help you with the absorption of the nutrients!

Over-the-counter iron tablets are also a great option to take for that extra boost. If you feel you may have low iron levels, get your bloods done! This way if you are low, you can get prescribed iron tablets.