Everyone knows that children can be picky eaters, but that shouldn’t stop parents from attempting to help their kids maintain a well-balanced diet, because not doing so could lead to issues with their thyroid gland.

Thyroid Diet

Your thyroid needs iodine provided by your diet in order to function properly. Thankfully, since the advent of iodized salt, iodine-deficiency isn’t viewed as a major problem today in America. We’re not saying you should go out and salt your foods, as a person can get the necessary iodine simply by eating a variety of foods from different food groups, but problems can occur when we get very selective or only eat a handful of different foods.

Adults tend to have a more developed palate, so getting iodine in their diet isn’t usually a problem. But they also need to ensure their children are getting the necessary vitamins and minerals. Iodine deficiency is a key player in the development of hypothyroidism, a condition in which your thyroid gland under-produces hormones necessary to control essential bodily functions. A person with hypothyroidism may have a reduced heart rate, feel lethargic or have a slow metabolism. In children, the symptoms of hypothyroidism can be even more severe, sometimes leading to stunted growth or brain damage.

Parents and Children Responsible

Your child’s stubborn food choices are partly to blame, but that just means you need to work a little harder to find foods from other food groups that they’ll enjoy. On the flip side, sometimes the parents are too blame. For example, some parents have food a handful of food options that their children really enjoy, so they stick to what’s working without trying to expand their nutrient intake. Another less common example is when parents go on certain diets or health kicks where they completely ditch carbs or stick solely to a protein-based diet. While your body may be able to adapt to such a change in dietary intake, your child’s body may not make such a swift transition.

Like we alluded to above, this doesn’t mean you should just throw a pinch of iodized salt on top of your child’s noodles or carrots. There are plenty of child-friendly food sources that are naturally packed with iodine. Some foods and beverages that can help your child with their iodine intake include:

• Milk
• Yogurt
• Commercially made breads
• Fish
• Red berries
• Beans
• Potatoes

So if you’re thinking about changing your family’s diet, and you have small children, speak to your pediatrician, dietitian or doctor about your options. What works for you may not be in the best interests of your child, so always speak to your doctor before restricting your child’s dietary intake, and try to find foods they like from each food group.