Meal suggestions for the Low Iodine Diet (LID)

The following are ideas for meals you could plan to eat for the few days you are following the LID. Do your best to follow it but remember it is not possible or necessary to have a diet that contains no iodine. The aim is to avoid having high iodine levels. Most doctors agree that following the LID makes only a small difference to the effectiveness of your treatment.

By checking the ingredients you use against the list of foods in the OK TO EAT/TRY NOT TO EAT list you have been given you should avoid having a diet that is high in iodine.

Breakfast

· Toast with non-dairy spread and marmalade, jam, honey, marmite
· Porridge made with water or milk substitute (check ingredients for added iodine) topped with fruit, honey or syrup
· Fresh fruit or fruit salad
· Cooked breakfast (without eggs) such as bacon, sausages, tomatoes, mushrooms, baked beans, toast

 Lunch

· Sandwich made with non-dairy spread filled with ham, chicken or bacon and salad
· Salad (such as cucumber, lettuce, tomato, avocado, sweetcorn, peas) with olive oil and vinegar topped with chicken breast
· Jacket potato (with non-dairy spread) with baked beans or chilli
· Beans or tinned tomatoes on toast
· Soup with fresh bread
· Couscous with meat, chicken or chickpeas and vegetables such as roasted peppers, courgettes, tomatoes

Dinner

· Spaghetti Bolognese
· Pork or lamb chops with potatoes and vegetables
· Steak served with roasted mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, chips or jacket potato
· Roasted meat, vegetables and roasted potatoes with gravy
· Chicken, meat or vegetable stir fry with rice
· Stewed meat (chicken, beef, lamb or pork) with potatoes, carrots and swede
· Chilli con carne with rice and peas
· Jacket potato (with non-dairy spread) with baked beans, ham or chicken and salad
· Sweet and sour chicken with rice
· Risotto with chicken, butternut squash, peas and sweetcorn
· Curry dishes

Snacks & Puddings 

· Tinned or fresh fruit, stewed or poached fruit
· Jelly, sorbet, meringue
· Dairy free custard or single cream alternative
· Vegetable crudities and homemade avocado dip (guacamole) or tomato salsa
· Nuts (maximum 30g/1oz per day)  
· Sweet or salted popcorn
· Potato crisps or rice cakes
· Dark chocolate

Suggested LID Recipes