What you eat can help protect your family against lead!

Feed your family a healthy, balanced diet that contains good sources of iron, vitamin C and calcium.

Iron

  • Red Meat
  • Fish
  • Beans
  • Lentil
  • Iron-fortified Cereals
  • Spinach

Vitamin C

  • Oranges
  • Berries
  • Tomatoes
  • Bell Peppers
  • Dark, Leafy Greens

Calcium

  • Milk
  • Yogurt
  • Kale
  • Cheese
  • Turnip Greens
  • Calcium-fortified Juices

What should you know?

  • More lead is absorbed on an empty stomach. Infants and children absorb 5 to 10 times more lead on an empty stomach than adults.
  • Exposure to lead is harmful to childhood development and can cause permanent behavioral and learning problems, a lower IQ, slowed growth and hyperactivity.
  • Good sources of iron, vitamin C and calcium may lessen the absorption of lead into your body.

What can you do?

  • Offer and feed your family regular, healthy meals and snacks to reduce lead absorption.
  • Participate in free federal nutrition programs, such as WIC, Summer Meals, Farmers Market Vouchers, FoodShare (SNAP) and many others.
  • Wash ALL fruits and vegetables thoroughly with cold water for 1 minute or until all dirt and dust is removed.
  • When preparing food, always wash and cook with safe water.