Eating well with thalassaemia

You don’t need a strict diet, and if you’re transfused regularly there’s no need to avoid iron-rich foods obsessively — most iron overload comes from transfusions, not food. Aim for a varied, colourful diet rich in fruit and vegetables; their antioxidants help counter the oxidative stress that comes with iron overload.

One genuinely useful habit: drink black or green tea with meals. Its tannins can cut how much iron the gut absorbs by a lot (studies show 40–90% less non-haem iron). Vitamin C boosts iron absorption — so don’t take vitamin C supplements with iron-rich meals. (For patients on low-transfusion regimens, teams may advise limiting dietary iron and red meat.)

Important: iron supplements — and multivitamins that contain iron — should be avoided in all forms of thalassaemia unless a doctor specifically prescribes them. Avoid alcohol and tobacco. A dietitian can be a real help, especially for a child’s growth.