Diet modification plays a major role in the management of blood sugars in people with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends a healthy diet that includes a variety of foods from all of the food groups. If you have iron deficiency anemia, finding safe sources of iron is easy when you follow a healthy diet.
Meats
Iron deficiency anemia is the No. 1 nutritional problem in the world, according to the National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements, especially in children and women of childbearing age. Meat, including beef, poultry, pork and fish, is a source of iron in the diet. Meat also contains a source of iron, known as heme-iron, that is easily absorbed. People with diabetes have higher rates of heart disease and need to choose leaner cuts of meat to limit their intake of saturated fats. Meats high in iron that are safe for people with diabetes include lean beef chuck roast, beef eye of round, lean ground beef, beef tenderloin, chicken breast, turkey breast, ham, pork loin, salmon, shrimp, tuna and halibut.
Legumes
Iron is also found in plant foods like legumes. In addition to being a source of iron, legumes also contain carbohydrate, fiber and protein. One serving of a legume counts as 1 carbohydrate exchange and 1 lean-meat exchange. However, the iron in plant foods like legumes is not absorbed as well as the heme-iron found in meat. The iron in plant foods is known as non-heme iron. Vitamin C enhances the absorption of non-heme iron, so when eating legumes as a source of iron in your diet, add a food high in vitamin C. Safe iron-rich legumes for diabetics include black beans, black-eyed peas, kidney beans, lentils, lima beans, navy beans, peas, pinto beans, soybeans and tofu. Vitamin C rich foods include tomatoes, tomato sauce, broccoli, turnip greens, sweet potatoes, white potatoes, peppers, strawberries, citrus fruit, cantaloupe and papaya.
Vegetables
High intake of vegetables reduces a person's risk of heart disease and some cancers, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Vegetables make a healthy addition to the diabetic diet. Safe iron-rich vegetables for the diabetic include broccoli and spinach. Vegetables also provide non-heme iron.
Fortified Foods
Some starches have been fortified with iron and can act as a safe source of iron for diabetics, including fortified cereal, bread, rice, macaroni and spaghetti. As a source of carbohydrate, starch intake needs to be a controlled part of your diabetic meal plan.
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