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The low iodine diet is usually indicated mainly about 2 weeks before undergoing treatment with radioactive iodine, called iodotherapy, for thyroid cancer. However, this diet can also be followed by people who have hyperthyroidism, since by avoiding the consumption of foods rich in iodine, there may be a decrease in the production of thyroid hormones.
In the case of thyroid cancer, some studies indicate that restriction of iodine in the diet is necessary for tumor cells that may have remained after surgery to absorb sufficient radioactive iodine during treatment, promoting its destruction and treatment of the disease.
Some of the foods that should be avoided because they are rich in iodine are saltwater fish, seafood and egg yolk, for example.
Foods to Avoid
Foods that should be avoided in this diet are those that contain more than 20 micrograms of iodine per serving, which are:
- Iodized salt, it being necessary to look at the label to make sure that the salt does not contain added iodine;
- Industrialized snacks;
- Saltwater fish, such as mackerel, salmon, hake, cod, sardines, herring, trout and tuna;
- Algae, like nori, wakame and the algae who come with the Sushi;
- Natural supplements with chitosan, for example, which is prepared with seafood;
- Seafood such as shrimp, lobster, seafood, oyster, squid, octopus, crab;
- Food additives of sea origin, such as carrageenans, agar-agar, sodium alginate;
- Processed meat such as ham, turkey breast, bologna, sausage, sausage, meat from the sun, bacon;
- Viscera, such as liver and kidneys;
- Soy and derivatives, such as tofu, soy milk, soy sauces;
- Egg yolk, egg sauces, salad dressings, mayonnaise;
- Hydrogenated fat and industrialized products, such as ready-made cookies and cakes;
- Vegetable oils of soy, coconut, palm, peanuts;
- Diced spices,ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce;
- Milk and dairy products, such as yogurt, curd, cheeses in general, butter, sour cream, whey protein, casein and foods containing milk products;
- Sweets containing milk or egg yolk;
- Flours: bread, cheese bread, bakery products in general that contain salt or egg, crackers and toast that contain salt or eggs, stuffed cookies and breakfast cereals;
- Canned or syruped fruit and powdered or processed juice;
- Vegetables: watercress, celery, brussels sprouts, cabbage and canned goods, such as olives, hearts of palm, pickles, corn and peas;
- Beverages: mate tea, green tea, black tea, instant or instant coffee and cola-based soft drinks;
- Dyes: avoid processed foods, pills and capsules in red, orange and brown.
In addition, it is important to avoid going to restaurants or consuming fast-food foods, as it is difficult to know whether iodized salt has been used for cooking or not. These are not prohibited for life, only during treatment. In the case of hyperthyroidism, they should be consumed infrequently while the disease is present and the values of thyroid hormones altered.
Moderate consumption foods
These foods contain a moderate amount of iodine, ranging from 5 to 20 micrograms per serving.
- Fresh meat: up to 170 g per day of meat such as chicken, beef, pork, sheep and veal;
- Grains and cereals: unsalted bread, unsalted toast, water and flour cracker, pasta without egg, rice, oats, barley, flour, corn and wheat. These foods should be limited to 4 servings per day, each serving equivalent to about 2 mouthfuls of pasta or 1 bread per day;
- Rice: 4 servings of rice per day are also allowed, with the best variation being basmati rice. Each serving has about 4 tablespoons of rice.
The content and iodine in these foods vary according to the place of cultivation and the form of preparation for consumption, being always more advantage to cook and produce meals at home instead of eating out or buying ready-made food at the supermarket.
Allowed Foods
To replace prohibited foods during iodine treatment, the following foods should be preferred:
- Non-iodized salt;
- Freshwater fish;
- Egg white;
- Raw or cooked vegetables, with the exception of the vegetables mentioned in the previous list;
- Legumes: beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas;
- Fats: corn oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, unsalted margarine;
- Sweets: sugar, honey, jelly, gelatin, candies and fruit ice creams without red coloring;
- Seasonings: garlic, pepper, onion, parsley, chives and fresh or dehydrated natural herbs;
- Fresh, dried fruits or natural juices, except marrakesh cherries;
- Drinks: non-instant coffees and teas, soft drinks without red dye # 3;
- Unsalted dried fruits, cocoa butter or unsalted peanut butter;
- Other foods: oats, porridge, avocado, flaxseed or chia seeds, homemade unsalted popcorn and homemade bread.
These foods are those that can be consumed in the two weeks preceding the treatment of iodotherapy, or according to the time recommended by the doctor.
Iodine-free diet menu
The following table shows an example of a 3-day menu of the iodine preparation diet:
Meal | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
Breakfast | 1 cup of coffee + egg whites mixed with vegetables | Oatmeal porridge prepared with almond milk | 1 cup of coffee accompanied by chia pudding with chopped fruit |
Morning snack | 1 apple in the oven with cinnamon and 1 tablespoon of chia seeds | 1 handful of dried fruits + 1 pear | Avocado smoothie prepared with oat milk and honey |
Lunch dinner | Chicken fillet with homemade tomato sauce accompanied by rice, beans and lettuce, tomato and carrot salad, seasoned with vinegar and coconut oil | Zucchini noodles with ground beef and natural tomato sauce and oregano | Couscous with sautéed vegetables in coconut oil accompanied by turkey fillet |
Afternoon snack | Homemade unsalted popcorn | Papaya smoothie made with coconut milk | Homemade bread (without iodized salt, butter and egg) with cocoa butter. |
The quantities of the menu vary from one person to another, since age, sex, physical activity and the purpose of the treatment must be taken into account and, therefore, it is important that the nutritionist is consulted in order to prepare an appropriate nutritional plan. to your needs.
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