If you have thyroid cancer, you most likely will undergo a therapy called radioactive iodine treatment. This treatment, which is designed to destroy cancerous thyroid cells, is often preceded by a low-iodine diet, according to the New York Thyroid Center at Columbia University. Thyroid cells rely upon iodine to produce thyroid hormones, and following a low-iodine diet essentially "starves" the cells for iodine. When the radioactive iodine is subsequently introduced, the cells absorb it and are destroyed. Your doctor will discuss the specifics of your low-iodine diet with you. Compliance to this diet and all other pre-treatment instructions is crucial to the success of your radioactive iodine therapy.
Protein
Being on a low-iodine diet doesn't preclude you from eating certain meats in moderation. According to OncoLink, you can eat small servings of fresh chicken, turkey, beef, pork or veal. It is important that these meats be fresh, OncoLink notes. Meat products to avoid include lunch meats, bacon, sausage and hot dogs. Avoid fish and seafood entirely for the duration of your diet, OncoLink advises. Although some dairy products have protein, you should not eat any dairy products due to their high iodine levels.
Grains and Starches
When it comes to carbohydrates, the key to staying within your low iodine diet lies in the preparation, according to OncoLink. Rice should be homemade, rather than enriched or from a box; pasta should be salt-free and contain no eggs; and potatoes should be prepared without skin. You can also eat one to two slices of bread daily, provided that the total sodium content per serving is less than 20mg. Carbohydrates to avoid include egg noodles, cookies and pastries, OncoLink notes.
Fruits and Vegetables
Almost all fresh fruits and vegetables are safe to consume on a low-iodine diet, according to OncoLink. You can eat all fresh vegetables except for spinach, which is rich in iodine. You should refrain from eating canned or frozen vegetables, pickles, sauerkraut and tomato sauce, both canned and jarred. Fresh fruits and fruit juices are safe, but steer clear of canned fruit juices, dried fruits and powdered drink mixes like Tang or Hi-C.
Non-Iodized Salt
According to the New York Thyroid Center at Columbia University, you don't need to cut all salt from your diet while on a low-iodine diet. But restrict yourself to non-iodized salt. This information is usually clearly marked on the salt container; check for this before purchasing or using.
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