Parenting: Popeye the Sailor Man was right

August 8, 2012 (WPVI) -- Remember the children's cartoon from way back, Popeye the Sailor Man? He always ate spinach straight from the can to get the iron for his big muscles.

Turns out, we should be doing the same for our children. According to pediatricians more and more kids ages 1 to 3 are not getting enough iron.

Little ones need 7 milligrams a day. Their bodies use iron to make red blood cells which deliver oxygen throughout the body.

Most pediatricians check a toddler's iron levels with a simple blood test between ages 6 months and 18 months. If your doctor hasn't done this yet, ask for it.

This is especially important if your child is overweight. The child may be eating a lot, but very little food that contains iron.

Symptoms of iron deficiency include: anemia, pale skin, fatigue, frequent headaches, dizziness, irritability, cold hands and feet.

Your pediatrician may suggest an iron supplement in the form of drops, cutting back on milk so your child is more likely to eat foods with iron, and varying their diet more.

What iron-rich foods might be a hit with kids? There are two kinds heme iron and non-heme iron - both types are worth eating.

Heme iron which is the most easily absorbed, is found in meat. Some heme iron foods include: