The top 20 iodine foods ranked by iodine per serving. Includes seafood, dairy, seaweed, and fortified foods with exact amounts and daily targets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What foods are highest in iodine?
Seaweed (especially nori and kombu kelp), cod, scallops, Greek yogurt, oysters, and milk are the highest iodine foods. Nori provides around 232 mcg per 10g serving, while cod delivers 158 mcg per 3-oz portion — more than the 150 mcg adult daily requirement in a single serving.
How much iodine do I need per day?
Adults need 150 mcg of iodine per day. Pregnant women need 220 mcg and breastfeeding women need 290 mcg. The tolerable upper intake level is 1,100 mcg for adults — a level that only extremely high seaweed consumption can reach.
What are good plant-based iodine foods?
Plant-based iodine foods include nori and wakame seaweed, iodized salt, and enriched bread made with iodate dough conditioners. Fruits, vegetables, and legumes are generally very low in iodine, making seaweed and iodized salt the most reliable plant-based sources.
Does dairy milk contain iodine?
Yes. An 8-oz cup of nonfat cow's milk contains roughly 85 mcg of iodine, providing about 57% of the daily requirement. Conventional dairy is higher in iodine than organic dairy because iodine-based sanitizers are commonly used in conventional dairy processing.
Can you get too much iodine from food?
Yes, but it is difficult from most foods. The upper intake level for adults is 1,100 mcg per day. Kombu kelp is the only common food that can push intake well above this limit — a single gram can contain up to 2,984 mcg. All other foods on this list are safe to eat in normal portions.