Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high blood sugars. A healthy diet plays a major role in helping people with diabetes manage their blood sugar and consists of nutritious foods in moderate amounts, according to MayoClinic.com. Most foods high in iron can be easily incorporated into any diabetic meal plan.
Meat
Risk of heart disease is two to four times greater in people with diabetes than people without diabetes, according to the International Federation of Diabetes. In addition to being a source of iron, some meats are also high in saturated fat. High intakes of saturated fat increase blood cholesterol levels, a risk factor for heart disease. Lean meat sources high in iron include beef tenderloin, lean beef chuck, beef eye of round, dark meat turkey and chicken, tuna, chicken breast, halibut, pork loin and shrimp. Meat contains heme iron and is easily absorbed.
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements, and is most often seen in women and children. Women of childbearing age need 18 mg of iron a day and adult men and women over the age of 51 need 8 mg of iron a day.
Legumes
Many legumes also contain high amounts of iron and can help you rebuild your iron stores. Legumes also act as a source of carbohydrates, and intake needs to be controlled to help manage blood sugar. A single legume serving is equal to one serving of carbohydrates and one serving of protein. Legumes are also high in fiber and may also help you control your blood sugar by slowing the rate of digestion and the rate sugar is released into the blood stream. Legumes high in iron include soybeans, lentils, kidney beans, lima beans, navy beans, black beans, pinto beans and tofu.
Legumes contain non-heme iron, which is not as well absorbed as heme iron. However, vitamin C enhances the absorption of the non-heme iron. When eating legumes, and other food sources of non-heme iron, add a source of vitamin C, such as tomatoes, peppers, orange juice, cantaloupe or potatoes.
Spinach
Spinach is also high in iron, but provides the iron in the non-heme form. As a non-starchy vegetable, spinach intake does not need to be limited. The American Diabetes Association recommends people with diabetes eat as many non-starchy vegetables as they want.
Fortified Foods
Many common foods have been fortified with non-heme iron to help combat iron deficiency anemia. Many iron fortified are starches and contain carbohydrates and intake needs to be controlled. Fortified foods high in iron for diabetics include ready-to-eat cereal, instant oatmeal, enriched grits, white bread and wheat bread.
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