HEALTHY FOODS THAT PREVENT MENTAL HANDICAPS

The need to eat nourishing foods in order to enjoy unbroken cycle of good health cannot be overemphasised. Experts at Harvard School of Public Health warn that symptoms of thyroid disease include weight loss or gain, hot flashes, fatigue, constipation, dry skin, etc. Therefore, you need just the right quantity of iodine to keep healthy; and when you derive it from natural sources (as in your foods), you are certain that you can’t overdose on it. Some iodine-rich foods include the following:

Baked potatoes

Nutritionists advise that if you want to enjoy the iodine content of this root crop, you should bake your potatoes instead of frying it. This is because all the dietary staples such as fibre, vitamins and potassium are contained in the skin. When you bake therefore, you are able to retain the essential nutrients.

Milk

Apart from the calcium and Vitamin D present in milk, it is also a good source of iodine. Take it with tea, oats, or as a plain beverage — warm or cold. Yoghurt and cheese are other dairy products that also give iodine.

Cod fish

Apart from being a rich source of protein, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and Vitamin E, cod fish also features an abundance of iodine. Salmon and tuna are other iodine-rich fish.

Shrimp and lobster

Generally, the seafood is a great source of iodine, but the shrimp and lobster are the richest of them all if you must get this mineral in reasonable quantity. They are available all the year round, whether fresh or dried. However, eat them in moderation because of their high calories.

Baked turkey breast

Again, sensible cooking is what will enable you to get your required iodine content. Bake —instead of frying — your turkey meat.

Boiled eggs

For an adult, depending on body weight, one or two large hard boiled eggs will do — except if you already have high cholesterol level; for children one year and over, just one egg will do at any time. It makes an excellent combination with oatmeal.

Bananas

A medium-sized banana is all you need to get your daily requirement of iodine. That doesn't mean you can’t eat more if it so pleases you, though.

Go green

Green, leafy vegetables are healthy sources of nutrients and vitamins that are essential for you to maintain good health. Also, try seaweed, as it’s the best source of iodine.