Iodine is an essential mineral that’s vital to the proper functioning of the thyroid. The thyroid gland is responsible for managing growth and metabolism. An iodine deficiency can cause symptoms such as fatigue, high cholesterol, lethargy, depression, and swelling of the thyroid gland. Prevent this dangerous deficiency by eating the right amount of iodine rich foods each day.
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Organ Meats
Organ meats contain a surprising amount of iodine. For example, a 2.5 ounce serving of beef liver provides you with 32 mcg of iodine. If you’re not used to eating liver, then you may want to try to increase your iodine amount using some of the other foods in this list first.
Serving Size (2.5 ounce), 32 micrograms of iodine
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Milk
Milk is not recommended for many people due to its highly inflammatory response in the body, but it contains a good amount of iodine. One cup of reduced fat milk contains 56 micrograms of the mineral, or about 37% of what the average person must consume each day.
Serving Size (1 cup reduced fat milk), 56 micrograms of iodine (37% DV)
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Dried Seaweed
For iodine deficiency, dried seaweed is the go-to remedy because of its incredible supply of this essential mineral. A one-sheet serving contains up to 2,984 micrograms of iodine. That’s way more than enough iodine for the body to absorb in a day (1989% of the daily value, to be exact.) Consume smaller portions over time in order to gain the health benefits.
Serving Size (one sheet), 16 to 2,984 micrograms of iodine (11% to 1,989% DV)
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Cod
The meat of the cod fish is mild, moist, and delicious. It’s also low-fat, low-calorie, and packed with several nutrients. A three-ounce serving size of cod provides your body with 99 micrograms of iodine, or 66% of the recommended amount per day. Cod is also a healthy source of protein, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin E.
Serving Size (3 ounces), 99 micrograms of iodine (66% DV)
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Fortified Iodized Salt
Iodine is often confused with salt, but the two are actually very distinct. In terms of chemistry, salt is classified as a crystal, and is composed of two elements: sodium and chloride. Iodine, on the other hand is a mineral. Many brands of salt are fortified with the essential mineral iodine. If you worry you’re not getting enough iodine, check to make sure the salt you’re using is fortified with iodine, and then enjoy it in moderation with a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Serving Size (1.5 gram), 71 micrograms of iodine (47% DV)
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Shrimp
Seafood is usually a great source of iodine, and shrimp is just one example. A three-ounce serving of shrimp provides 35 micrograms of iodine, or enough to account for just under a quarter of the recommended amount each day. Shrimp also provides your body with other essential minerals, primarily protein and calcium.
Serving Size (3 ounces), 35 micrograms of iodine (23% DV)
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Black Eyed Peas
Beans are a great food to add to your diet because they are full of phytonutrients and fiber to help fill you up. A 3/4 cup serving of black eyed peas contains 46-53 mcg of iodine.
Serving Size (3/4 cup), 46-53micrograms of iodine
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Baked Turkey Breast
Almost three ounces of baked turkey breast meat provides 30 micrograms of essential iodine. For reference, three ounces of meat is about the size of a deck of cards. Turkey also provides your body with B-vitamins, potassium, and phosphorus, all of which are essential to a strong and healthy body.
Serving Size (2.5 ounces), 30 micrograms of iodine
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Dried Prunes
If you’re used to associating dried prunes with the elderly, try giving these sweet fruits a chance. If you don’t, you’ll be missing out on all the vitamins, nutrients, and minerals they have to provide. Just five dried prunes provide your body with essential fiber, boron, vitamin A, vitamin K, and much more. Prunes are also a good source of iodine, and their many essential nutrients make them a great addition to any diet.
Serving Size (5 prunes), 13 micrograms of iodine (9% DV)
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Lima Beans
Beans are some of the healthiest and most versatile foods on the planet. Enjoy a half-cup serving with any meal, and you’ll provide your body with a respectable amount of protein, copper, potassium, calcium, folate, and iodine. If you’re trying to prevent an iodine deficiency, navy beans are an excellent remedy because of the many additional nutrients they add to your diet.
Serving Size (1/2 cup), 8 micrograms of iodine (5% DV)
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Fish Sticks
Fish sticks can be a good source of iodine if you’re worried about a deficiency in your diet. Most fish sticks are breaded and fried, so we recommend using other foods on this list as a way to increase your iodine before turning to processed foods. Two fish sticks can supply your body with 54micrograms of iodine, or about 36% of the recommended daily value.
Serving Size (2 fish sticks), 54 micrograms of iodine (36% DV)
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Canned Tuna
Tuna that is canned in oil usually contains more iodine than when it’s canned in water. Three ounces of canned tuna provides 17 micrograms of iodine, or 11% of what the average person must consume per day. Add more tuna to your diet for more iodine, and you’ll also benefit from its high protein, vitamin D, and iron contents.
Serving Size (3 ounces), 17 micrograms of iodine (11% DV)
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Boiled Eggs
Hard boiled eggs are a versatile, healthy food that supplies the body with vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc, calcium, antioxidants, and more. They’re also consumed for their iodine content. One hard boiled egg provides 16% of the iodine needed for the day. For a light and healthy meal, slice a hard-boiled egg over a leafy green and veggie-filled salad.
Serving Size (1 large egg), 24 micrograms of iodine (16% DV)
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Plain Yogurt
Yogurt is a healthy food that’s often enjoyed at breakfast or as a light snack. It’s known for its high contents of calcium and protein, but it’s also a great option for those looking to increase the iodine in their diet. A cup of plain yogurt provides 50% of the daily recommended value of iodine.
Serving Size (1 cup), 74 micrograms of iodine (50% DV)
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Bananas
Eating a banana is a quick and healthy way to get an energy boost, thanks in part to the high potassium content. But many people don’t realize that bananas also contain iodine, making them a healthy and nutrient-rich food to supplement a high iodine diet. A medium-sized banana contains 3 micrograms of essential iodine.
Serving Size (1 medium banana), 3 micrograms of iodine (2% DV)
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Strawberries
Strawberries are a tasty and nutrient rich fruit that provides your body with many vitamins and minerals. Strawberries are deliciously sweet, but they’re a surprising source of iodine. A one-cup serving contains 13 micrograms of iodine, or just under 10% of what the average person needs to consume in a day.
Serving Size (1 cup), 13 micrograms of iodine (9% DV)
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Canned Corn
There are many ways to enjoy corn, including creamed, canned, or on the cob. For a boost in the mineral iodine, which is essential to a healthy and fully-functioning body, choose canned corn. Enjoy half a cup of canned corn as a side dish with dinner, and your body will reap the benefits of 14 micrograms of iodine.
Serving Size (1/2 cup), 14 micrograms of iodine (9% DV)
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Raisin Bran Cereal
Cereal is often fortified with vitamins and minerals. But you’ll want to keep in mind that most cereals are heavily processed and contain inflammatory ingredients, so you want to eat these in moderation only. Raisin Bran makes our list because it provides 11 mcg of iodine per serving.
Serving Size (one cup), 11micrograms of iodine (7% DV)
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Cheddar Cheese
Cheddar cheese is a great food choice when you need more iodine in your diet. It’s easy to add a slice to burgers and sandwiches or to sprinkle shredded cheddar over soups and salads. An ounce of cheddar cheese provides 12 micrograms of iodine.
Serving Size (1 ounce), 12 micrograms of iodine (8% DV)
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Apple juice
While it’s always best to eat whole fruit instead of drinking juice, apple juice makes our list because it’s a good source of iodine. If you decide to indulge, make sure you buy freshly squeezed apple juice or make your own at home using a cold pressed process that leaves that vitamins in the juice intact.
Serving Size (one cup), 11 micrograms of iodine (7% DV)
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White Bread
White bread is enriched with minerals, which means that it contains a good amount of iodine. But because it’s highly inflammatory, we recommend looking for other ways to increase your iodine intake. Two slices of white bread provide 45 micrograms of iodine, or 30% of the recommended daily value.
Serving Size (2 slices), 45 micrograms of iodine (30% DV)
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Green peas
If you’re missing that last little bit of iodine in your diet, cook a serving of green peas with your next meal. A half-cup serving contains 3 micrograms of iodine. That’s just enough to net 2% of the daily recommended value. In addition, green peas are a great source of vitamin C, potassium, and folate.
Serving Size (1/2 cup), 3 micrograms of iodine (2% DV)
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Iodine is an essential part of a healthy, balanced diet. Since the body cannot synthesize this mineral, it’s important to include various iodine rich foods in your diet each day. Fortunately, there are many fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and seafood options that make it easy to get the iodine your body needs each day.
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You may also be interested in our list of the best iodine supplements.
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Iodine FAQ
What can Iodine be used for?
The kind of Iodine you see in a bottle can be used to sterilize and clean a wound. There are also Iodine tinctures that have an assortment of uses. There are also kelp supplements that contain iodine, which are meant to be used to fill any gaps in your Iodine levels.
Can an Iodine deficiency cause hair loss?
An iodine deficiency may cause hair loss. Keeping your levels up is a good way to promote healthy hair growth.
Does Iodine boost metabolism?
One of the benefits of getting enough Iodine is that your metabolism will be able to function at its best. If you are running low on Iodine and have noticed that you have a sluggish metabolism as well, you may notice a boost if you start getting the right amount of Iodine each day. But there is a limit to how much it can increase your metabolism, so you don’t want to take more iodine than what you need as this can work against you.
Is Iodine a diatomic element?
Yes, iodine is one of the seven diatomic elements.
Can Iodine be taken orally?
There are a few ways to take Iodine orally, either in a tincture or through a kelp supplement. Be sure to check on the label of the iodine you’re considering that the recommended usage is to take it orally.
Is Iodine a vitamin or mineral?
It is a mineral, and a chemical element.
Does Iodine cause acne?
Taking excessive amounts of Iodine may trigger breakouts, but there is not a lot of conclusive evidence in this matter. It’s not a good idea to take too much Iodine, since it can affect your thyroid and lead to other problems.
Does Iodine cure jock itch?
There is anecdotal evidence that it may help with the itchiness, but it appears that it doesn’t work as well as OTC remedies specifically formulated to treat jock itch.
Can Iodine kill cancer cells?
Research shows that iodine deficiency is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer. On the other hand, a higher dietary intake is associated with less goiter and breast cancer, but there is no research to show that iodine kills cancer cells.
Will Iodine make you taller?
Iodine is essential for proper thyroid function, so it’s not hard to see that a lack during your growing years may stunt your growth and make you shorter than you otherwise would be. That being said, there’s little reason to suspect that you’re running an Iodine shortage unless you’ve been told so by your doctor.
Does Iodine help the thyroid?
The right amount of Iodine helps your thyroid function the way it should. Too little Iodine and it will be sluggish, too much and it can become overactive. The best solution is to make sure that you’re getting Iodine from the foods you eat, and most Americans are just fine in this regard. It can happen that your body has trouble absorbing the Iodine from the foods you eat. Get checked by your doctor if you’re concerned.
Is Iodine deficiency common?
Iodine deficiency was more common in the past before they started adding it to salt. These days it is only common in certain parts of the world where they don’t get enough iodine due to dietary limitations. It is also more common in vegetarians and vegans because they are avoiding many of the foods that contain iodine naturally.
Does Iodine kill nail fungus?
Iodine contains anti-fungal properties that may be able to help with nail fungus.
Is Iodine expensive?
Iodine can be found in antiseptic form at many drug stores, and is typically very inexpensive. It can also be found in supplement form, and is typically not very expensive at all compared to other nutritional and health supplements.
Is Iodine essential to humans?
The human body needs Iodine to function properly. It does not have the ability to create it, the way it can create vitamin D with exposure to sunlight. It relies on your intake of food and supplements to get the needed amounts.
Where does Iodine naturally occur?
There are plenty of foods that are naturally high in Iodine. They range from seafood to potatoes, and it’s good to get a balance of different foods so that you’re not relying on one source. You can also find Iodine in supplements that contain kelp, as this is another place where Iodine is naturally found.