It's good to take iron pills but I think our body absorbs natural iron even better. You get to eat as much steak and roast beef as you want. Liver too (not as much of a treat, maybe liverwurst instead?) Also spinach and beets. I love spinach all sorts of ways. I usually make my lasagne with vegtables incuding lots of spinach. I like it sauted with onions and garlic and in quiches. One of my favorite salads is this: saute onions and a bit of garlic, turn the burner off, squeeze 1/2 lemon in, quickly toss with spinach and put on plates before it is too cooked. Take a can of quartered artichokes and divide between the salads placing the tender parts of the artichokes on each one. I also juice a lot and always include beet in my juice. I put beet, orange, parsley, ginger, carrot, cucumber, etc--but I am able to do this because I have a very high quality juicer. If you go to places that have these types of juices available--always ask for beet when your iron is low. Check out what some people say about beet juice (it tastes best when mixed w/ OJ):

Beet juice may boost stamina to help you exercise longer, improve blood flow, and help lower blood pressure, some research shows. ... Beets are rich in natural chemicals called nitrates. Through a chain reaction, your body changes nitrates into nitric oxide, which helps with blood flow and blood pressure.

Some athletes drink beet juice and say it boosts their athletic performance.