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One of the minerals that our body needs to stay healthy is iodine. It is very important to make thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism as well as cell growth and repair. And to meet the recommended 150 mcg of iodine per day for adults, we need to eat foods rich in iodine.
Low Iodine Foods For Hyperthyroidism
However, for people diagnosed with differentiated thyroid cancer, a low-iodine diet that includes foods low in iodine is sometimes prescribed. The aim of this diet is to remove as much iodine as possible to ‘starve’ the thyroid gland of iodine before undergoing radioactive scanning or treatment.
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This short-term diet is only recommended by doctors and it is important that you follow their advice. A good first step before starting this diet is to definitely identify the types of foods that are low in iodine. Identify foods that you can safely include in your diet. If necessary, make a list and put it on the cupboard or refrigerator. And of course, take the time to plan your meals.
You should also give yourself time to get used to the diet. As with any type of diet, it may take you a few days to adjust to your new daily eating plans. Don’t worry if you accidentally missed one or two iron-rich foods. Again, give yourself time to get used to it. If it helps, you can also make a list of foods that you cannot have for the time being.
To give you an idea of what a low-iodine diet would look like, here is a list of low-iodine foods. Check them out and see how you can incorporate them into a diet that will benefit you or someone you know whose condition requires such a restriction.
Most of the iodine in eggs is in the yolk, making egg whites great for a low-iodine diet. And don’t worry, because even without the yolk, the egg white also has a high nutrient content, in fact, 67% of the egg’s protein content is in the white. What is very important about it is that this protein contains all nine essential amino acids.
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As long as you stick to fresh meat (beef, pork, chicken, fish), and keep your servings to between 5 and 6 ounces a day, you’re all good. Avoid cured, processed, canned, dried, or salted meats such as bacon, sausage, ham, salami, bologna, and frankfurters.
You can continue to enjoy fruits even on a low-iodine diet. Preferably, of course, fresh fruit. But you can also have canned or frozen fruit other than maraschino cherries because it has added iodine.
Vegetables are generally good to have and you can eat as much as you want. Pick up new ones whenever you can. But plain frozen vegetables are good too. Same with canned vegetables, vegetable juices, or canned soups (no beans or lentils). Just remember to check the labels to make sure it has no added salt.
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Continue to enjoy pasta as long as it is in the clear and also as long as it is made without iodized salt. Same thing with bread. If you make your own, it’s best to know what ingredients are used. Commercial or retail breadcrumbs are likely to contain iodate, so look for ‘potassium iodate’ or ‘calcium iodate’ in the ingredients list.
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Oatmeal is safe for a low iodine diet except when it is prepackaged or the instant type – instant oatmeal. These are usually loaded with fragrances, preservatives and other additives. Oyster foods are the healthiest, they are all oyster kernels that have been cleaned and treated. The process increases its shelf life, flavor, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity.
Iodine is also very low in rice. In fact, ½ cup of cooked brown rice contains only 1 mcg. So yes, feel free to include it in your low-iodine diet. Rice is a good source of energy, carbohydrates, iron, calcium, thiamin, pantothenic acid, folate and vitamin E.
Couscous is also in the clear. It is rich in selenium which is an essential mineral and acts as a powerful antioxidant that helps in repairing damaged cells in our body and also reduces inflammation. Couscous is also a good source of fiber and other vitamins and minerals. It is made with durum wheat semolina flour and water.
In addition to its high anti-inflammatory phytonutrient content, quinoa is also a good source of fiber, protein, copper, iron, thiamin and vitamin B6. You can simply add quinoa to your low-iodine diet and use it like any other grain such as rice. It is very good for pork and salad. It is really versatile and will make a good side dish for any meal.
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The food is low in iodine, which makes cornmeal safe in a low-iodine diet. So, enjoy polenta, pancakes, or what have you. Corn flakes contain dietary fiber that helps keep you fuller for longer and also prevents constipation. It is a good source of selenium and also a fair source of thiamin and magnesium.
Herbs, whether fresh or dried, are safe for flavoring food even when on a low-iodine diet. Same with spices – just be aware of spice blends that may have other additives in the mix. As always, check the labels. The point is, you can use herbs and spices to flavor food, you don’t have to season your food with salt!
Up to 4 to 6 servings of vegetable oil per day is good to have on a low-iodine diet. A teaspoon is considered one serving. So be careful how many spoons of vegetable oil you will use for the day. If you used 3 teaspoons of vegetable oil in your lunch, then at most you can only use 3 teaspoons of vegetable oil when preparing your dinner.
Rejoice because peanut butter is in the clear! Of course if it is salt free. So, again, check the labels to be sure. If you can, make your own homemade peanut butter. It is a rich source of heart-healthy fats. It also contains protein, fiber, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, niacin, and vitamin B6.
How A Low Iodine Diet Can Help Your Thyroid
Nuts, as long as they are unsalted, are good to include in a low-iodine diet. So keep them for a quick and hassle-free meal. You can also add them to soups, stews, or as an ingredient in some dishes. Coconut oil is good to include in the diet as well as almond oil or cashew oil.
Jams, including jellies and other jams, are considered low-iodine foods. Just make sure to check the ingredients for food coloring, iodates, iodides, algin, alginates, carrageenan, and agar-agar. Stick to all-natural or homemade products whenever possible.
Like bread, crackers are good to include in the diet as they are salt-free varieties. Packaged crackers such as Ritz, Wheat Thins, Triscuits, and Graham crackers are all allowed. Remember to double-check the label to make sure you’re getting the right type. You can spread jam butter or coconut oil on it and have it as a snack with coffee or tea.
Coffee lovers, relax because you can still drink coffee even if you are on a low iodine diet. Even without milk, of course. Coffee is a rich source of antioxidants. It also has many health benefits including increasing energy levels, enhancing athletic performance, promoting weight management, and protecting against chronic diseases.
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Tea is definitely a healthy and relaxing drink. And with so many different types of tea out there, you’re bound to find one that really suits your taste. And of course, it is considered one of the low-iodine foods so it is safe to have in a low-iodine diet. So, drink!
Because fruits are low in iodine, it makes fruit juice safe to drink even on a low-iodine diet. As always, go for fresh fruit juice when you can. Bottled or canned fruit juices are fine as long as they are free of artificial colors and preservatives.
You don’t have to give up salt altogether, just choose non-iodized salt or non-iodized sea salt. But of course, whether you’re on a low-iodine diet or not, it’s always a healthy practice to be mindful of your salt intake. Instead of immediately reaching for that salt shaker to ‘season’ your food, use more herbs and spices instead.
Like any diet, this diet requires some work and dedication to pull it off. But of course, if you really need to – your health depends on it, then you really need to work it out. The good thing is that a low-iodine diet is a short-term diet – your doctor will let you know when
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