Low Iodine Diet

Well, I start the low iodine diet tomorrow. It's not so much of an inconvenience for me, although some people on my Yahoo Thyca group go into fits about not being able to eat bread products and dairy (milk in cereal and coffee) or cheese/pizza. The LID is pretty much like my normal diet anyway, except that I can't eat egg yolks, whey protein (sob!) or any seafood (sob again!). Since whey and seafood are two of my primary sources of protein, even above chicken, it's kind of a pain. I can still have egg whites and fresh meats - I have chicken on hand and plenty of eggs. It's only two weeks. Last time I had to do this I was totally hypo and didn't feel like eating much anyway, plus the constipation - ugh. This time it will be a breeze. I just need to put away my sea salt, my vitamins and my fish oil.

Here's a list of what I can't eat:

1. Iodized salt, sea salt (Non-iodized salt may be used).
2. Dairy products (milk, cheese, cream, yogurt, ice cream, butter)
3. Eggs (most of the iodine is in the yolk)
4. Seafood (fish, shellfish, seaweed, kelp)
5. Foods that contain the additives: carragen, agar-agar, algin, alginates
6. Cured and corned foods (ham, corned beef, sauerkraut)
7. Bread products that contain iodate dough conditioners (sometimes, small bakery breads are safe)
8. Foods and medications that contain red food dyes (specifically, Red Dye # 3 (erythrosine); consult your doctor before discontinuing any red-colored medicines)
9. Chocolate (for its milk content)
10. Molasses
11. Soy products (soy sauce, soy milk)

Additional Guidelines
1. Avoid restaurant foods since there is no reasonable way to determine which restaurants use iodized salt.
2. Plain Matzos can be used instead of bread.
3. Non-iodized salt may be used as desired.
4. Read ingredients lists of prepared or packaged foods carefully.
5. Avoid taking multivitamins, since most contain iodine.
6. Olive oil may be used as a condiment or in cooking, in place of butter.
7. It is helpful to prepare low-iodine meals in advance and freeze them for easy use when on the diet.

Important Note: Food prepared from any fresh or frozen meats, fresh or frozen poultry (avoid broth-injected poultry) , fresh or frozen vegetables, and fresh fruits should be fine for this diet, provided that you do not add any of the ingredients listed above to avoid. The diet is easiest when food is prepared from basic ingredients. Strict adherence to this diet will significantly enhance the sensitivity of the radioiodine scans and the effectiveness of any radioiodine treatments.

Here we go!

Oh, and it looks like Adam is going to be coming just a few days after I finish up my scan and staying through the last week in March. !!!!! March is a big month for me, can't wait to get it going!!