Iron deficiency anemia is a medical term discovered by Karl Vierordt and his student H. Welcher in 1852. Anemia means your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells and it is caused due to iron deficiency. Let's find out what to eat and what to avoid when you experience iron deficiency anemia.  What is Iron Deficiency Anemia? Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most usual types of anemia. It is a condition in which blood lacks adequate healthy red blood cells which carry oxygen to the body's tissues. Iron deficiency anemia is caused because of inadequate iron. Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia In the primary stage, iron deficiency anemia may feel mild. So, many people tend to ignore the symptoms. But when the body becomes more deficient in iron and anemia worsens, the signs and symptoms are as follows:  -Extreme fatigue -Weakness -Pale skin -Chest pain or shortness of breath -Headache, dizziness, or sometimes lightheadedness -Cold hands and feet -Soreness of your tongue -Brittle nails -Abnormal cravings for non-nutritive substances; ice, dirt, and starch -Infants and children feel poor appetite. Read More: Best Foods for Hair Growth: What to Eat, Drink and Avoid  The best food and drinks to avoid Iron Deficiency Anemia When you have anemia, you need to take foods rich in iron and other vitamins essential to hemoglobin and red blood cell production. Add the following foods to your diet so that you can get more iron to fight iron deficiency anemia: Leafy greens Leafy greens like spinach, cabbage, and green vegetables are the best sources of iron. Dark, leafy greens are also high in oxalates that can bind with iron and prevent the absorption of nonheme iron. You also need Vitamin C which can help your stomach absorb iron. So, when you experience iron deficiency anemia, it is recomemded to take leafy greens with foods that contain vitamin C including oranges, red peppers, and strawberries.   Read more: Best foods for expecting mothers.