What to eat for iodine supplementation

Release time : 09/04/2025 09:30:03

During pregnancy, the physical functions of the pregnant woman and the growth and development of the fetus are influenced by various nutrients.

In our daily lives, we often see pregnant women prioritizing iron and calcium supplementation, but rarely hear about the importance of iodine supplementation for expectant mothers.

In fact, elements such as calcium and iron are just like iodine for mothers. If a pregnant woman's body is deficient in iodine, the impact on her baby's growth and development is no less significant than that of calcium and iron.

What should pregnant women eat to supplement iodine? Iodine deficiency can affect fetal brain development, so it is important for expectant mothers to pay attention to iodine supplementation during early pregnancy.

Eating food to supplement iodine is both convenient and safe for pregnant women. So what can we eat to get iodine? The most typical foods with high iodine content are seafood.

Seaweeds, kelp and shrimp and other fish are rich in iodine. But when cooking, you should take care of the way of cooking. Overcooking will cause the loss of iodine.

The most common iodized salt is also an important source of iodine for pregnant women.

The iodized salt purchased can be stored in a sealed container after opening. It should not be added until the food is served, otherwise, if too early, high temperature will destroy the iodine content of the iodized salt and loss the iodine content.

Iodine deficiency is more serious in the inland areas.

Inland area expectant mothers should take a test for iodine in urine before five o'clock, to determine whether they are deficient or not.

If deficiencies can be treated with iodine supplements, the only condition is that they must be administered under the guidance of a physician.

Expectant mothers must not take iodine supplements on their own; if they do, excessive intake can pose severe risks to both the pregnant woman and her fetus. The safe daily intake of iodine is less than one milligram.

It is important to supplement iodine during pregnancy, and the demand for iodine increases during this time.

The mother's body needs adequate thyroid hormone to meet the requirements for brain development in the baby. If the mother is iodine deficient, the baby will also lack iodine, leading to insufficient thyroid synthesis and affecting the brain and bone development of the baby severely.

In pregnancy, a significant portion of the iodine intake is metabolized in the kidneys by the mother, so most expectant mothers experience deficiencies.

If pregnant women are in coastal areas or low-lying areas, it is not necessary to deliberately supplement iodine. The iodine content in these areas is rich and can meet the needs of pregnant women and fetuses.

But many inland areas are relatively lacking in iodine, so expectant mothers in these areas should supplement iodine in moderation

The first three months of pregnancy are the best time to supplement iodine. If the fetus develops to five months later, it will be almost impossible to take any effect after supplementing iodine elements.

It is important to note that iodine supplementation should not be excessive and there is no need for iodine supplementation throughout pregnancy. Excessive iodine intake can lead to iodine poisoning.

During the early stages of pregnancy, some expectant mothers may experience severe nausea and thus have a reduced appetite for meals.

At this period, sour and sweet fruits can stimulate the appetite of pregnant women, supplement them with necessary nutrients, and in this case, through fruits to get iodine, is a important way for pregnant women to get iodine in early pregnancy.

Many fruits are rich in iodine, and pineapple is one of them.

One kilogram of pineapple contains 41 micrograms of iodine. It is sour and sweet, which can suppress nausea and vomiting. For pregnant women who have severe morning sickness, it is an ideal fruit for iodine supplementation.

It contains a large amount of vitamins and organic acids, which can also play the role of clearing heat and relieving thirst.

However, expectant mothers with a pineapple allergy should avoid consuming pineapple.

Bananas are also a source of iodine. One kg of bananas contains 25 micrograms of iodine.

Bananas contain a lot of potassium, which is helpful in lowering blood pressure and preventing stroke.

It is important to note that pregnant women with a cold constitution should not consume raw bananas during pregnancy, as this may cause leg swelling.

Grapes are also a type of fruit that contains high levels of iodine. One kilogram of grapes contains 63 micrograms of iodine.

Apart from iodine, grapes also contain a variety of vitamins and minerals. Consuming them not only aids in supplementing iodine but also nourishes the body's yin and blood, strengthening muscles and bones.

How to supplement iodine in pregnant women with hypothyroidism? Hypothyroidism is a condition that typically only affects women.

In women, on average, one in six people has hypothyroidism.

Even if mild hypothyroidism is not treated, it can affect the intellectual abilities of the child.

Therefore, expectant mothers must prioritize the diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism.

What should a pregnant woman with hypothyroidism do to supplement iodine? The first question we need to clarify is whether or not patients with hypothyroidism need iodine supplementation.

Although iodine deficiency is one of the causes of hypothyroidism, it is not the only reason for hypothyroidism.

Is it necessary to supplement iodine, and how should it be administered? Patients should first conduct a test to determine whether their iodine levels are deficient.

Generally, urinary iodine is used to determine this condition. If it is low in urinary iodine, it indicates that the body is deficient in iodine.

In such cases, it is appropriate to consume some foods rich in iodine to replenish the iodine element.

However, it is important to note that the cause of hypothyroidism is not solely due to iodine deficiency. Sometimes, supplementing iodine does not alleviate the condition, and in some cases, it may even exacerbate the disorder of the thyroid function.

Therefore, after being diagnosed with hypothyroidism, it is necessary to follow the dietary and medication iodine supplementation guidelines strictly, as prescribed by a doctor.

Iodine is the most abundant iodine in sea water and the lowest in soil, rocks, rivers, lakes.

From the moment of conception until the child reaches three years old, the brain is in an active development phase.

If iodine deficiency is present at this time, the brain development of children will inevitably be delayed. Therefore, pregnant women, lactating women, and infants should pay special attention to supplementing iodine.

Iodine supplementation in the early stages of pregnancy is a crucial step in promoting fetal brain development. Although iodine is important, it is not something that can be simply added to without consideration. Pregnant women should pay attention to many issues when taking iodine.

Iodine and the thyroid are good friends. When iodine is ingested by the human body, it will be synthesized with the thyroid to form thyroid hormones.

Iodine is very important for the human body, but we only need a very small amount of it.

The range of variation between the maximum tolerance and the required amount of iodine in the body is very limited, which means that the human body is easily deficient in iodine and can also be poisoned by too much iodine.

The harm caused by excessive iodine in the body is equivalent to that caused by iodine deficiency.

Too much iodine can lead to hyperthyroidism, which in turn damages the thyroid function of fetuses.

Therefore, excessive iodine supplementation is not beneficial for both the expectant mother and the fetus.

Pregnant women should pay attention to regularly conducting urine iodine tests while supplementing iodine.

If the test value exceeds 800ug/L, it indicates that the iodine content in the body is already very abundant. It is advisable to stop iodine supplementation. Otherwise, further supplementation may lead to iodine poisoning.

Since iodine is metabolized in the human body, it is possible to test the urine iodine content again after a period of time. If the level is low, then continue to supplement iodine.

* The medical information provided in this text is for reference only.

If you experience discomfort, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately for accurate diagnosis and treatment.