7 Quick and Simple Low Iodine Diet Snacks

Quick Recap: What is the Low Iodine Diet?

The low iodine diet is used for thyroid cancer patients to prepare for radioactive iodine therapy. By depriving your thyroid cells of iodine, when radioactive iodine is introduced, it clings to the cancer cells and destroys them. There are some basic do’s and don’t of the low iodine diet – for example, no dairy, soy or anything processed.  In previous posts I’ve provided some helpful ideas for low iodine diet breakfasts and low iodine diet dinners. I don’t know about you, but I’m a big snacker. I often find myself at work snacking on cereal or fruit. If you’re a snacker like me you’ll need some easy and fresh low iodine diet snacks so here are a few of my favourites.

Low Iodine Diet Snacks 

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Fresh Fruit

Veggies and fresh fruit are the the perfect snacks, especially on the low iodine diet. They are high in nutrients and contain lots of fiber. All fruits and veggies are fair game on the low iodine diet. You just have to watch out for how to prepare them. That’s why one of my favourite iodine free  snack ideas is plain fruit. Simple and delicious.

If you want to mix it up a bit, you can always add nut butter to your fruit. For example, almond butter on apples or peanut butter on bananas. When you buy your nut butter double check to make sure the nuts are not roasted and the only ingredient listed are plain nuts. 

Dried Fruit and Nuts

Raw nuts and simple dried fruit can also be great low iodine snacks. They are easy and quick to put together and to carry around. When I was on the low iodine diet I never left home without a baggie full of raw almonds, cashews and dried apples and apricots. 

Since you can’t really buy food you don’t prepare at home or go out to eat to a restaurant when you’re on the low iodine diet, it’s helpful to have quick snacks at hand for work and running errands. 

Chia Pudding

Chia pudding is a great low iodine snack. I make it when I’m on the diet and when I’m not it’s so yummy. It’s always delicious and since it’s full of chia seeds it has lots of protein, fiber and calcium. 

When I’m not on the reduced iodine diet I use boxed almond milk. However, when I am, I make my own using this recipe. You will need a high powered blender, raw almonds and cheesecloth to make the almond milk.

Once you have the almond milk, combine the following ingredients in a Rubbermaid container:

1 cup of homemade almond milk
3 tablespoons of chia seeds
1 tablespoon of maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Mix all of the ingredients together and let it sit in the fridge overnight. If you want a chocolate flavour, you can add a couple of tablespoons of cocoa powder. Everyone’s tastes are a bit different so you may want to experiment with the amount of cocoa powder you use and the amount of maple syrup.

Once the chia pudding is set, you can add fresh fruit, dried fruit and/or homemade low iodine diet friendly granola.

Homemade Hummus and Chopped Vegetables

Since all vegetables are allowed on the low iodine diet any snack including them is great. Unfortunately, you can’t use store bought hummus because it might contain salt. As a result, have fun creating your own hummus recipe. You’ll just need to soak and cook your own chickpeas to use since you can’t use a canned version. 

Vegan Gluten Free Low Iodine Friendly Muffins

I like to make these vegan gluten free muffins both on and off the low iodine diet. They are easy to whip up in one bowl and are quite healthy since they’re made with a base of oat flour. Serve these muffins with some fresh fruit and/or raw nuts and you’re in for a filling snack.

Chia Power Balls

The mighty chia seeds strike again! This time in a vegan, gluten free, low iodine diet compliant snack ball. These are great to bring to work or in the car when you’re in a rush. 

Some great options include:

• Easy Chia Energy Bites from The Food Blog.Net – these are very similar to the ones I make. Just be careful to make sure there’s no added salt or other ingredients that aren’t allowed on the low iodine diet.
• Oatmeal Raisin Energy bites from Julie’s Eats and Treats – in case you don’t like chocolate.
• Raspberry Zinger Energy Balls from The Wholesome Dish

Rice Cakes and Nut Butter

If you haven’t realized yet, I’m all about snacks that are easy to carry and eat in a rush if needed. Rice cakes (without any added salt) and nut butter (also without any added salt) is a super easy and quick to prepare low iodine snack. All you need are the rice cakes, the nut butter and 30 seconds to spread the nut butter on the rice cake. By adding the nut butter you’re getting extra protein, healthy fats and fiber. Plus this makes the snack more filling (and tasty) than a plain old rice cake.

The low iodine diet is a total pain. Not being able to eat at a restaurant or pick up a quick bite is really hard. I totally get it! I’ve found that to help with the hunger that pops up at unexpected times having healthy and filling snacks around is really important. 

I hope you’ve found some inspiration by looking at these quick and easy low iodine diet snacks. 

For more low iodine diet meal ideas check out these posts:

• Easy and Awesome Low Iodine Diet Dinner Ideas
• Quick and Healthy Low Iodine Diet Breakfast Suggestions

To read more about my battle with thyroid cancer and additional thyroid cancer resources check out these posts:

• Thyroid Cancer Resources
• Being Diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer
• We’re Not Done Yet… Living with Thyroid Cancer
• How to Feel Better Without a Thyroid

I’ll be sharing this post at a few of my favourite link ups and link parties.