Graves disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, or over activity of the thyroid gland, according to the National Institutes of Health. This autoimmune disorder occurs when your body's immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid gland and causes an overproduction of the thyroid hormones. Your thyroid gland needs iodine to produce its hormones. If you have Graves disease, your physician will recommend that you avoid foods that have a high iodine content.
Iodized Salt
Table salt with added iodine, also known as iodized salt, is one food source with a consistent iodine content. Salt fortification with iodine was initiated in the United States to eliminate the incidence of iodine deficiency and provide a standard source of dietary iodine. The Recommended Daily Allowance of iodine for adults is 150 micrograms daily. One teaspoon of iodized salt contains 400 micrograms. If you are diagnosed with Graves disease, you should avoid adding iodized salt to your food.
Seafood
Most of the world's iodine is in the oceans. Seafood is a source of iodine because marine life is able to concentrate the iodine found in seawater. Kelp, which is a regular part of the diet in Japan, Hawaii and Alaska, is a rich source of iodine. Algin, which is a substance found in kelp, is used as a thickening agent in salad dressings, dairy products and milkshake mixes. Commonly eaten fish, such as cod, sea bass, haddock and perch, are rich sources of iodine. Squid, crab, clams and shrimp are additional seafood that contain iodine. If you have Graves disease, talk with your physician about limiting or avoiding seafood in your daily diet.
Dairy Products
Dairy products, such as milk, yogurt and cheese, contain iodine because, in the United States, iodine is added to animal feed. The amount of iodine in 1 cup of cow's milk averages about 60 micrograms. Yogurt, cottage cheese and any variety of cheese that is made from the milk of iodine-fortified grain fed cows will contain iodine. Eggs from chickens raised on feed supplemented with iodine are another source of this mineral. Talk to your physician about limiting or avoiding these common dairy products in your daily diet.
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