Hypothyroidism Foods To Eat And Avoid – In your body, the thyroid gland produces hormones. If it produces too much or not enough of these hormones, you may be suffering from a thyroid disorder. If your body produces too much thyroid hormone, you suffer from hyperthyroidism. Also, if you produce enough thyroid hormone, you may suffer from hypothyroidism.
As of 2017, the diagnostic lab found that hypothyroidism is widespread in North India, and cases of hyperthyroidism are mostly reported in West and South India. Recently, in 2019, a study found that 1 in 10 Indian adults suffer from hypothyroidism. When out of control, it can lead to obesity, joint pain, heart disease and even infertility.
Hypothyroidism Foods To Eat And Avoid
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To treat thyroid disorders, doctors prescribe medications that restore the balance of hormones produced by the thyroid gland in your body. However, you can supplement these efforts with a proper hypothyroidism diet. Take a look at how diet relates to the thyroid, what to add to your thyroid diet, and what to avoid.
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Hypothyroidism is caused by an underactive thyroid gland. In this condition, your thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormones needed for your metabolic functions. Although many of the early symptoms go unnoticed, hypothyroidism can lead to a variety of health problems if left untreated, including obesity, infertility, and joint pain. Diet plays a key role in hypothyroidism. So, being aware of the diet is very important for thyroid patients to avoid. It helps to manage the situation easily. Get expert advice to understand the best foods for thyroid patients and follow a hypothyroidism diet plan.
If you are a thyroid patient, minerals like iodine, selenium, iron and zinc are among the nutrients your body needs. However, if you don’t eat the right foods in the right amounts, you won’t get these important nutrients. Conversely, certain foods can absorb these nutrients from your body, depleting their reserves, or preventing your thyroid gland from absorbing them. This can lead to problems like goiter. With this in mind, take a look at the best foods for thyroid and the foods you should avoid.
If you are among the many Indians suffering from hypothyroidism, consider adding the following foods to your hypothyroidism diet to restore thyroid function and reduce thyroid-related symptoms.
Eggs are the best food for thyroid as they are rich in both iodine and selenium. A single egg contains 16% and 20% of your daily iodine and selenium, respectively. However, for maximum benefit from this superfood, be sure to eat the whole egg, not just the egg white!
The Best Diet For Hypothyroidism
Yogurt or curd is also a good addition to your thyroid diet. Apart from keeping you cool and providing your body with healthy fats, yogurt also provides your body with essential iodine. If you are watching your weight, you can opt for low-fat yogurt.
Seaweed may seem like an unusual ingredient, but it’s a must-add to any thyroid diet because it’s rich in iodine. It is said that seaweed is a double-edged sword. It is very high in iodine and 1gm of seaweed can sometimes pack 1,989% of your recommended daily iodine intake. Therefore, it is advisable to eat seaweed in moderation and read the nutrition label on its packaging carefully.
Shellfish such as shrimp, prawns, oysters, crab and lobster are excellent when you are looking to combat hypothyroidism diet. In addition to iodine, it also contains zinc, another important nutrient for those suffering from this condition. If you are allergic to shellfish, you can also eat other fish such as cod, salmon, tuna or seabass. Optionally, you can add chicken to your hypothyroidism diet, preferably dark meat, which is high in zinc.
Including a bowl of green vegetables in your daily meal is the best diet for thyroid patients. Dark green vegetables like spinach and kale contain important nutrients like vitamin A, magnesium and iron. Vitamin A helps your thyroid gland produce hormones, while magnesium and iron help thyroid hormones to be absorbed more easily. Green leafy vegetables are rich in fiber, which reduces your stomach ailments like constipation. No wonder it is always included in a hypothyroidism diet plan!
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To manage hypothyroidism, you can include seeds and nuts in your hypothyroidism diet plan. Sunflower seeds, Brazil nuts, cashews and pumpkin seeds are some common seeds and nuts that are suitable for hypothyroidism patients. These nuts and seeds contain selenium which helps in the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. Eat them as snacks or top your salads and cereals with these nuts and seeds. Be careful to avoid walnuts when taking thyroid medication because they interfere with the absorption of thyroid hormones.
Constipation is a common symptom of hypothyroidism. Therefore, eat a balanced diet rich in fiber to ease your bowel movements. When you eat whole grains, your body has to work harder to break them down. It increases the metabolism of your body. Add oats, sprouts and quinoa to your hypothyroidism diet to improve your thyroid function.
This cruciferous vegetable is the best food for thyroid patients as it is rich in vitamin C and calcium. Like whole grains, broccoli contains fiber, which aids in digestion and boosts your metabolism. If you consume broccoli regularly, your thyroid function will improve significantly. Vitamin C and calcium both improve your bone health and help reduce symptoms of hypothyroidism.
If you suffer from thyroid, take a look at the thyroid diet chart below to understand what foods you should include in your day.
Fruits That Every Thyroid Patient Should Eat
Among the various thyroid foods to avoid, processed items top the list. These foods are high in sodium, which is not ideal for patients with hypothyroidism. If you consume too much sodium, it can raise your blood pressure. With an underactive thyroid gland, high sodium intake can affect your health.
If you are looking for food for thyroid patients, be careful about soybeans and their products. It could be tofu or edamame; These are thyroid related foods due to the presence of isoflavones. These compounds affect thyroid gland function and may also interfere with thyroid medications.
While fiber can help you reduce many hypothyroidism symptoms, consuming too much fiber can interfere with your thyroid medication. Beans, legumes and breads are thyroid foods because they hinder digestion. Make sure to eat fiber-rich foods in moderation after consulting a specialist.
Eating foods that contain gluten can reduce the effects of thyroid medication. So, gluten is a food to avoid for thyroid patients. Foods like barley and wheat are not good for thyroid patients and they should completely stop consuming gluten.
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Any diet high in sugar is not suitable for thyroid patients. Because your metabolism slows down, it increases your BMI levels. Sugary desserts and snacks have zero nutritional value and are high in calories. These are the thyroid foods to avoid so that your thyroid levels are not affected.
Among the various thyroid foods to avoid, butter, meat and other foods containing unhealthy fats also need to be eliminated. Fried foods inhibit the absorption of thyroid medication and also interfere with thyroid gland function.
Once you know that you are suffering from a thyroid disorder, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the thyroid foods to avoid. This list includes soy because it contains phytoestrogens, which can cause your estrogen levels to rise. Increased estrogen production interferes with thyroid hormone production.
Cruciferous vegetables like kale, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower are also harmful to varying degrees if you consume them in large quantities. Taking too much of these can prevent the thyroid gland from getting the iodine it needs. Finally, although this is not a food to avoid on thyroid, it is best that you avoid drinking alcohol. It suppresses the gland’s ability to produce thyroid hormone.
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By making simple changes to your diet, you can ensure that you are helping your recovery as a thyroid patient. For best results, be sure to consult a general practitioner or endocrinologist at periodic intervals. This allows you to closely track your condition and if necessary, the doctor can change your treatment plan in time. To find the best doctor for your needs, download the Bajaj Finserv Health app from the App Store on your smartphone.
View a list of professionals along with their fees, years of expertise and more. Book an in-person visit or e-consult through the app and avail discounts and special offers from partner healthcare providers. Plus, to enjoy useful features like health plans for the family, medication reminders and more, download the app now!
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