Iron is an essential nutrient for optimal health. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends the following dietary sources: lean cuts of pork, beef, chicken, turkey and fish; pinto and kidney beans, soybeans, and lentils; breakfast cereals fortified with iron; rice enriched with iron; spinach and other vegetables that are dark green and leafy; and iron-enriched breads that contain whole grains. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, October 2016