The hack
Your thyroid needs iodine, but few plant foods contain much, and the amount in vegetables depends on the soil. Dairy and fish are the main iodine sources in many diets — so people eating mostly plants can easily fall short.
Do this
- When you use salt at home, choose iodised salt.
- Check whether your plant milk is fortified with iodine.
- Or take a supplement that contains iodine, especially if you’re pregnant or planning to be.
Not a reason to eat more salt
Keep total salt to under 5 g a day — the swap is about which salt, not how much. Sea salt and Himalayan salt contain very little iodine. Seaweed is another source, but its iodine content varies wildly — see Algae & Seaweed.