Low Iodine Diet
- An important part of radioiodine treatment – allows radioiodine to enter thyroid cells (normal or cancerous that were not visible to the surgeon or could not be removed)
- Generally started 2 weeks before the radioactive iodine therapy for thyroid cancer patients.
- Usually needs to be continued until the whole-body-scan is completed (7 days after the radioactive iodine is given)
- Goal is to have < 50 microgram of iodine per day for that period.
- It usually means you should eat home-made food using ingredients in the “allowed” column, while avoiding the “not allowed” ingredients.
| Food Group | Allowed | Not Allowed |
| DAIRY | None | Ice cream, cheese, milk, yogurt, sour cream |
| EGGS | None | All egg containing products |
| SEAFOOD | None | Specially shellfish, kelp, sardines, canned tuna |
| SALT | Non-iodized salt | Iodized salt, Sea salt |
| MEATS | Fresh chicken, turkey or beef | Canned, dried, salted, cured meats (sausage, ham, chipped beef,liver, beef stew, bacon, TV dinners, pizza, chili, lunch meats |
| GRAINS | Homemade rice, Oatmeal, Unsalted crackers, Rice cakes, iodine-free bakery products | Regular breads, processed cereals, pancakes, cookies, pastries, salted crackers, instant oatmeal |
| FRUITS | Fresh fruits & raisins | Prunes, canned fruits, dried fruits |
| VEGETABLES | Fresh or frozen vegetables | Canned vegetables |
- Avoid chocolate, molasses, soy products, Restaurant food & Asian food
- Avoid food or medicine containing iodine or red dye (many vitamin-mineral supplements)
- Any food that has any of these ingredients:
Iodates or Iodides
Algin or Alginates
Agar-Agar
Carrageenan
(such as Store-bought bread or bakery products because they are made with iodate bread conditioners)
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