The thyroid gland is small but plays a significant role. The thyroid gland controls metabolism, the health of the heart, brain, and stomach. The thyroid hormones T3 and T4 determine how quickly a cell will produce energy. The thyroid completely controls metabolism. If your thyroid gland does not function perfectly, it may develop hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) develops when the thyroid gland fails to produce enough hormones to satisfy the body's needs. On the other hand, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) develops when the thyroid gland starts producing excessive thyroid hormones.
When the thyroid gland produces fewer thyroid hormones, it directly affects metabolism. Metabolism starts working slowly. Did you know that worldwide more than 30 million women and more than 15 million men are victims of hypothyroidism? People usually experience different symptoms of hypothyroidism like fatigue, dry skin, muscle weakness, memory loss, mood swings, and weight gain.
Thyroid medication can help to improve your thyroid hormone levels and control symptoms. But along with thyroid medication, a person should eat a well-balanced diet that includes several hypothyroidism-friendly foods. If you are not much aware of which foods are hypothyroidism-friendly, keep reading this blog.
Top 8 Hypothyroidism-Friendly Foods for you
Omega 3s fight inflammation
Algal oil, flaxseed, hemp seed, brussels sprouts, wild salmon, tuna, trout, or sardines are excellent omega-3 fatty acids sources. Uncontrolled hypothyroidism increases the risk for heart disease due to higher levels of low-density lipoprotein. Omega-3 fatty acids are pretty popular in increasing immunity, lowering inflammation, and reducing the risk for heart disease.
Nuts help to improve thyroid functions
Do you know that selenium is a required nutrient for people with hypothyroidism? It is most concentrated in the thyroid and helps decrease inflammation. Nuts like brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, and hazelnuts are also good sources of the nutrient selenium.
It is paramount to keep an eye on the portion size of nuts you take because nuts also have very high fat. One or two Brazil nuts are enough. In the case of others, a small handful of nuts is adequate to get your daily nutrients.
You should remember one thing if you are eating walnuts. Always avoid eating walnuts while you take your medication. There should be 4 hours gaps between thyroid medication and walnut consumption because walnuts can interrupt thyroid hormone medication absorption.
Gluten-free grains are good for hypothyroidism
Celiac disease, an autoimmune condition that pushes the body to respond to gluten, is more prevalent in people with other autoimmune disorders, like Hashimoto's thyroiditis. It is one of the significant reasons for hypothyroidism. Sidestepping gluten in the diet may help ease some symptoms of Hashimoto's. You can add gluten-free grains like quinoa, kasha, rice, millet, corn, and buckwheat.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are good for managing weight
Weight gain is a symptom of hypothyroidism. It is essential to manage it. Dieticians always recommend eating low-calorie and high-density foods. These foods are a keystone of every successful weight loss program.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are calorie-deficit yet full of nutrients. So it is necessary to add either fresh fruits or veggies to your meals. You can count on blueberries, cherries, sweet potatoes, and green pepper. All these have a lot of antioxidants and nutrients and reduce the risk of heart disease.
As we all know, iodine is essential for normal thyroid functions. Most of the doctors restrict the intake of cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli and cabbage. Do you know that you can have them in moderation but always in cooked form?
Seaweed is suitable for hypothyroidism patients
Iodine is an essential nutrient that the thyroid gland requires to perform accurately. It is the forerunner of thyroid hormone production. That is why iodine is crucial. But from which food sources can you get it? Seaweed is an excellent source of a high iodine concentration and offers other nutrients like calcium, fibre, and vitamins A, B, C, E, and K. The most common examples of seaweeds are Kombu, Nori, Dulse, Wakame, etc.
It is essential to ensure that you are deficient in iodine before consuming iodine-rich foods or supplements because too much iodine can aggravate thyroid disease. Did you know that the standard recommended daily intake for adults is 150 micrograms per day?
Non-dairy foods
Thyroid specialists recommend avoiding consuming dairy products like milk, butter, yoghurt, and cheese because they can activate your body's response. You can add non-dairy foods; kombucha, water, Kefir, and vinegar to boost your gut health.
Usually, in hypothyroidism people, lactose intolerance occurs at a high frequency. Dairy products contain lactose and casein, and they can cause inflammation in the thyroid gland. A thyroid doctor often suggests lactose-free, anti-inflammatory foods to add to the hypothyroidism diet plan.
The best beverages to maintain your hypothyroidism
When your thyroid fails to produce sufficient thyroid hormones, your metabolism slows down naturally. You won't burn enough calories, and it leads to weight gain. Simply add green tea to your diet. It will improve your metabolic rate to ignite more calories. Besides this, you can have fresh orange juice, spring water, chia lemon water, hibiscus tea, cinnamon ginger herbal tea, and apple cider vinegar water. Alcohol and coffee don't go well with the thyroid, so it's better to say goodbye to them.
Unsweetened dark chocolate
Unsweetened dark chocolate is an impressive superfood to add to the diet for those with thyroid conditions. Unsweetened dark chocolate is made from 70 to 85 percent cacao. Don't get confused with cocoa.
Toxins and stress produce an excess of free radicals that cause cellular damage. Cacao in unsweetened dark chocolate contains substantial amounts of antioxidants and fibre, magnesium, copper, calcium, and potassium. These antioxidants and nutrients help prevent and treat the cellular damage caused by the excess formation of free radicals.
Takeaway – H2 These superfoods are amazing to restore your thyroid hormones, but always remember, foods cannot cure the thyroid condition alone. It would be best to have a medley of nutrients, thyroid medications, and a healthy lifestyle. It would be great if you add exercise to your routine. It will help to practice restorative sleep habits. Furthermore, exercise and stress management can enhance sleep quality, and help restore thyroid function.
"Follow a hypothyroid-friendly diet plan, a healthy lifestyle along with thyroid medication, and take control over your life."
