Thyroid cancer survivors who continue treatment with radioactive iodine after thyroid cancer surgery have to go on a special diet before each therapy session. The meals during that period need to be low in iodine to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment. Follow the dietary instructions you receive from your doctor to prepare for your treatment.
About the Diet
The goal of a low-iodine diet is to take in less than 50 micrograms of iodine daily. You accomplish this by avoiding foods rich in the mineral for the two weeks preceding the cancer treatment. By starving your thyroid, which needs iodine to function, you condition it to absorb a large amount of the radioactive iodine that enters your body during treatment.
Limit Grains
You must limit grains on this diet. Read the list of ingredients on the bags of bread. Do not eat it if it contains calcium iodate or potassium iodate. Limit consumption of iodate-free breads to four slices daily. Do not eat French toast, muffins, corn bread, pancakes and tortillas. Avoid grits and rice.
Avoid Certain Meats
Do not have any seafood because seawater is iodized, passing the mineral to sea animals. Do not consume organ meats, turkey, casseroles, chow mein, meatloaf, stews and chili.
Eggs and Dairy
Egg yolks are not allowed in this diet. Likewise, eliminate dairy products including milk, yogurt, cottage cheese and desserts. Limit slicing cheese to 1 ounce daily.
Vegetables and Legumes
Stay away from soy products and other legumes for the two weeks preceding the radioactive-iodine treatment. Eat vegetables raw or plain. Do not dress them with creamy sauces or butter.
Additional Items
Do not eat foods that contain red food coloring. You should also stay away from seaweeds, as they contain iodine from seawater. Read product labels to avoid having foods prepared with iodized salt. It is okay to use salt that does not contain iodine. Do not eat sulfured molasses and pancake syrup. Do not have any products prepared with carrageen, nori, alginate, algin and agar-agar. If the words "iodine," "iodate" and "iodide" appear in the list of ingredients, do not eat that food product.
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