Which foods are highest in iron?

Foods that are the highest in iron include beef or chicken liver, clams, oysters, mollusks, canned sardines and mussels. The two forms of iron include heme and nonheme options. The foods with the highest iron are heme items; the body absorbs this iron from animal foods that contain hemoglobin.

Other foods with high amounts of iron include poultry, red meats and fish. The body receives the most iron from these food sources.

Nonheme food sources also contain iron; this type of iron is received from plant sources. Nonheme food sources include pumpkin seeds, squash seeds, breakfast cereals, vegetables and cooked beans.