If you have any kind of underlying medical condition, it is important to know what kinds of foods that you eat have both a positive or negative impact on the severity and frequency of your symptoms.
One particular medical issue that is very responsive to your diet, in both good and bad ways, is hypothyroidism, a condition in which your body does not produce enough thyroid hormones. If you or a loved one is suffering from this condition, read below to find out what foods to make sure you get enough of, as well as what to stay away from.
Diet for Hypothyroidism
While you cannot cure hypothyroidism with your diet, you can manage the condition in the following ways through nutrition:
One of the big side effects of hypothyroidism is weight gain, as the thyroid helps to regulate your metabolism.
If you want to prevent gaining weight, there are a number of dietary changes you can make to make sure your thyroid is functioning at its best.
Iodine
Iodine is an essential mineral that is required by the body in order to produce thyroid hormones. However, our bodies are not able to make iodine, so it must be obtained through food sources. Without enough of this mineral in your diet, your thyroid gland can become enlarged in the form of a goiter.
Foods that are rich in iodine content include:
Selenium
This mineral acts as an antioxidant while also playing a role in the body’s creation of thyroid hormones. While the tissue of the thyroid naturally contains this mineral, it is still important to get enough of it in your diet – not just for your thyroid, but also for your overall health.
Some of the best foods that are high in selenium content include:
Zinc
This is another essential mineral that is great for the thyroid as well as your overall health. Studies have indicated that the combination of zinc and selenium can lead to an increase in thyroid hormones and ensure proper functioning.
Foods that are high in zinc include:
What to Avoid
As mentioned above, you will want to stay away from soy foods, as these interfere with your body’s production of the thyroid hormone. Foods like soy sauce or soy milk, tofu, and miso are examples of what to steer clear of. In addition, goitrogens are another type of food that can decrease the production of this hormone. Goitrogens are commonly found in cruciferous, green vegetables like kale, broccoli, collards, brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower. Lastly, you should also consume minimal amounts of processed foods, as they are dense in calories while offering very little nutritional benefit.
About Shaun Hudson
Shaun Hudson loves sports, being outdoors, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. After many unsuccessful attempts to lose weight, he finally was able to drop 25 pounds and keep it off. The secret? He kept a journal of his activity, diet, and daily life. That journal changed his life, and has since evolved into this website. Read his full bio.