Dine on Iodine

A solid 10 years into my vegan lifestyle and I am first coming across the importance of Iodine.

Why did it take me so long to figure out? I have no idea. I never really thought about it until I read this 2011 study, while looking around online for recipes (my favorite pastime). “U.S. vegetarians are iodine sufficient. U.S. vegans may be at risk for low iodine intake, and vegan women of child-bearing age should supplement with 150 μg iodine daily,” it stated.

Like B12, Iodine is one of the most necessary, yet undervalued supplement that vegans needed in their diet, I just didn’t realize how necessary it was. “Iodine is a critical vitamin for proper thyroid function. Low iodine can cause issues in thyroid hormone production, which helps to regulate your metabolism,” says Rachel Naar, MS, RD, CDN. Now thinking about it, it all makes sense, as the gland at the base of the neck is possibly the most powerful and important function in our body. It regulates metabolism, hormonal balance, and impacts the function of the heart, muscles, your digestive system, brain development, and bone maintenance, and it ABSOLUTELY depends on a good supply of iodine from our diets.

And just like that, I turned into a whole other kind of vegan, the one that needs to make sure she gets enough, because truly there is nothing else I feel like I am ever missing out on. While sea animals don’t find their way to my plate, I have since learned just how valuable iodized salt and sea vegetables can be, which lead me to my revelation! We must all be dining on iodine. Here are my two easiest suggestions for sometimes-lazy, always-mindful vegan eater like me, sprinkle some sea kelp on absolutely anything, or wrap up anything you find in the fridge in seaweed for some “sushi.”

And remember, fish are friends, not food :)