Types of Foods to Eat on a Low Iodine Diet

Iodine is an element found in fish, shellfish, kelp and seawater. The human body requires iodine for the production of thyroid hormone, which makes it an essential part of a healthy diet. However, individuals with thyroid problems known as hyperthyroidism are often restricted to low iodine diets to help prevent the overproduction of thyroid hormones. There are several types of foods to eat on a low iodine diet; vegetables, meats, poultry and grains may be eaten with certain restrictions.

Vegetables

Choose fresh seasonal produce from your local farmers market; fresh vegetables may be steamed or added to a salad; use fresh lemon juice, olive oil, non-iodized salt and fresh herbs to make your own salad dressing. Most commercial salad dressing contain iodized salt, food coloring such as red dye 3, also known as erythrosine; this contains high levels of iodine and should be avoided on a low iodine diet. Frozen vegetables are also a good food choice for a low iodine diet; frozen vegetables are proven to contain the same nutritional values as fresh since the nutrients are locked in during the freezing process.

Preparing your meals at home is the best way to ensure you are getting the types of food that adhere to your low iodine diet.

Poultry

When you shop for chicken or turkey be sure to select fresh meat from the butcher that has not been cured; foods that are cured require high levels of iodized salt. Choose fresh cut chicken with ingredients that read: chicken breast and water. Avoid poultry that has an ingredient that reads: 10 percent solution, or salt added, as this is indicative of high levels of iodized salt. Choosing organic fresh cut meat is the best type of food to eat on a low iodine diet since the meat has not been salted with iodized salt and algae or seaweed-based additives such as carrageenan, agar or algin have not been added.

Bread

Purchase bread that is free of iodate dough conditioner; bakery breads often contain the aforementioned ingredient to help preserve the bread for a longer shelf life. Matzo, which is a Jewish cracker, may be substituted for bread; also Ezekiel bread, which contains no preservatives, dough conditioners or iodized salt, may be eaten on a low iodine diet.

Fruit

Choose a variety of fresh organic fruit while adhering to a low iodine diet; organic fruits are free from preservatives, dyes and chemicals; look for the USDA organic seal when you buy organic fruit since this ensures the fruit has passed stringent testing.

Best Low Iodine Condiments

Raw nuts
Virgin olive oil
Canola oil
Dried herbs
Tea
Coffee
Nondairy creamer
Organic sherbet
Unsalted peanut butter