Anaemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or the haemoglobin concentration within them is lower than normal. Haemoglobin is needed to carry oxygen and if you have too few or abnormal red blood cells, or not enough haemoglobin, there will be a decreased capacity of the blood to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues.

Anaemia is a serious global public health problem that particularly affects young children and pregnant women. WHO estimates that 42% of children less than 5 years of age and 40% of pregnant women worldwide are anaemic. 

The most common causes of anaemia include nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron deficiency,

Symptoms of iron deficiency are fatigue, weakness, dizziness and shortness of breath, among others.

Iron is a micronutrient needed to make both hemoglobin and myoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen from our lungs to the rest of our body, and myoglobin is a protein that brings oxygen to our muscles.

The optimal haemoglobin concentration needed to meet physiologic needs varies by age, sex, elevation of residence, smoking habits and pregnancy status.

Poha is a powerhouse of iron.

Poha or flattened rice is rice which is flattened into flat, light, dry flakes – rice is parboiled before flattening so that it can be consumed with very little to no cooking. These flakes of rice swell when added to liquid, whether hot or cold, as they absorb water, milk or any other liquids.

Breakfast with Poha – RECIPES