How common is the use of iodized salt in the USA?

[Hellow]

Iodized salt usage is pretty common in the US, since, like others have said, its cheap. Kosher salt has been gaining ground fast, though.

[IRescue452]

People here are basically taught that iodized salt is the best for you because you need iodine. Little do most people know how much more they eat than they need. I wouldn't trust any restaurants here unless you ask them, and even then, the food they use they they didn't personally add salt to during cooking probably still carries more than one knows. Sodium ferrocyanide (yellow prussiate of soda, prussic acid...) is another salt additive you've got to watch out for. I only use plain salt.

[Kirsten]

Thanks a lot for your replies everyone, that's very helpful!

People here are basically taught that iodized salt is the best for you because you need iodine. Little do most people know how much more they eat than they need.

Exactly!! It's the same here in Germany, and we have no chance to avoid it as it's everywhere in our food. Most people think it's good for them, but you cannot control how much of it you actually eat. And people who have to avoid it due to certain thyroid conditions, or who react sensitive to iodine really have a problem here.

Kirsten

[wolfsoul]

I think most salt in North America is iodized. Sea salt is becoming a trend these days but it is mostly used only in health foods and as an additive to something that already has other salts in it (ie sandwiches -- sea salt on top of the bread but containing meat that is already high in sodium). I've never heard of iodine sensitivity; It must not be something seen often around here. If anything, the salt here is killing us because it causes heart disease. Funny thing is, there's alot of hypothyroidism here too, even with the amount of iodine we do get. There are usually low-sodium options on menus here, even if you have to ask for it. Some menus even have the nutritional information, even if it's only on the "light section" (like White Spot). It's always best to just cook at home though. I always buy the "no salt added" organic soups and just add a small bit of salt or seasonings. My 1/4 tsp to a whole can of soup is nothing compared to the 1400 mgs that the soup manufacturers add (I find 700 mg per half a can is common).

[Marigold2]

You have recieved some great advice here. Have had Graves for 21 years. It's important to stay away from packaged foods, frozen and can soups, packed noodles and the like. Even so called healthy frozen meals pack a lot of salt.
Worst thing for Graves however is to smoke, it is truly a death sentence coming at you like a speeding train.
Best of luck.

[Daisy and Delilah]

I'm allergic to iodine if taken internally. It's the only thing to which I am allergic. I found this out after a CT scan where I was injected with contrast dye.

I'm allergic, to any seafood of the ocean. Shellfish, etc. Too bad this is my favorite food. I eat seafood but itch like a maniac later. I take Benadryl for that. Luckily, I don't have a severe allergic reaction with seafood. It's much worse with the contrast dye. Itching, swelling, turning red, etc. I have to request that they use no contrast dye on me at all anymore. They offer a steroid prep but it's ridiculous(they want you to take 15 steroid tablets prior to having the scan) so we just do without the dye.

I remember the days of Morton's salt. We used to have nothing but iodized salt. I use sea salt now but in strict moderation. I have noticed alot of the restaurants I go to have kosher salt or sea salt on the tables now. I seriously think many of them are still using iodized salt.

[Pinot's Mom]

I never even thought about it - I grew up with the blue Morton's canister and have always bought it!
I have a compromised immune system (due to Psoriatic Arthritis and the treatment) but no one has ever mentioned anything about salt to me.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I use iodized salt but not much of it due to my blood pressure. (I'm not to have much of any salt)

When I worked in a restaurant many many many many many years ago, that's they type of salt they used too.

[Kirsten]

I think there is an iodine free dye. I've heard they can use it and the image isn't as clear.

Don't know, maybe it's depending on the body part that's going to be scanned. They used it for my back and my brain, and I guess it worked fine...

When I worked in a restaurant many many many many many years ago, that's they type of salt they used too.

It's the same here, but meanwhile, more and more people ask for iodine-free salt.

Kirsten

[Daisy and Delilah]

Kirsten, that could be it for sure. It depends on the body part. I haven't had dye in quite awhile and, so far so good.