The mineral iodine is naturally in some foods and added to others, such as table salt. Your thyroid uses the iodine you take in through your daily diet to produce thyroid hormone, which helps to regulate a number of your body processes. If you have thyroid cancer or a condition related to iodine processing, your physician may recommend following a low-iodine diet. Do not undertake a low-iodine diet unless your physician directs it.
Significance
While most people take in between 150 and 550 mcg of iodine per day, a low-iodine diet means between 50 and 100 mcg of iodine each day. In the early 1900s, iodine deficiency was a problem that caused people to develop goiters or enlarged thyroids. As a result, iodine was added to foods, like salt, to increase daily intake. This can make following a low-iodine diet difficult, but not impossible.
Foods to Avoid
Completely avoid foods high in iodine on a low-iodine diet. These include dairy products, as the processing and cleaning agents used contain iodine. You also should avoid all types of fish and shellfish as they are rich in iodine. Avoid cured meats, like bacon, ham, sausage and chipped beef. Restrict soy products, foods that contain red dyes and canned and frozen vegetables because they contain added or natural iodine.
Fruits and Vegetables
As a general rule, low-iodine fruits and vegetables are those that are eaten as close to their natural state as possible. Canned or frozen fruits and vegetables served in sauces tend to have higher levels of iodine. You can eat homemade tomato sauces made with fresh tomatoes, as well as apples, pears, peaches, watermelon, squash, broccoli and green beans. You can also drink fruit juices.
Protein Sources
While you should avoid seafood as a protein source, you can enjoy about 6 oz. of meat, such as fresh chicken, turkey or beef. Prepare them with vegetables oils, black pepper or herbs, avoiding sauces as they can be high in sodium and dyes that contain iodine. You can also include egg whites, unsalted nut butters and unsalted nuts in your daily diet. Pair these choices with pasta, as long as the sources are not prepared with ingredients high in iodine.
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