Any Iodine product with elemental Iodine in it will chemically process better and quicker within the body if taken with about 4 ounces of water on an empty stomach.
If you're taking straightKI or SSKI , that can be taken with food or something other than water.
I know there are those who successfully get healthier taking IodineandIodide in food, but the iodiNe will automatically become iodiDe.
Heck, you might as well be taking straight Iodide if you're going to do that and save yourself some money.