06/05/2022 / Endocrinology & Diabetes
Foods to Avoid with Hypothyroidism
The thyroid gland is one of the most important hormone factories that regulates the majority of body metabolism. Here is the list of thyroid cure foods and also foods to avoid in case of hypothyroidism.
Table of content
Introduction
Hypothyroidism is a condition where the body doesn’t produce enough hormones. It would not be wrong to say that the thyroid is becoming an epidemic like diabetes among all age groups in the population. The thyroid hormone is the most important hormone which regulates growth, cell repair and metabolism. Though you can’t completely control the thyroid with a diet, you can make an effort to reduce the negative effects with a highly effective diet. In this article, you would know about the hypothyroidism diet that would help you to handle thyroid hormone production.
How Does the Thyroid Gland Affect Metabolism?
The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland located behind the neck. It may be of less size but the functions of this gland are so large that it affects almost every function of the body. The thyroid hormones are released into the bloodstream after receiving the signal from the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). These stimulating factors are sent from the pituitary gland of the brain whenever the amount of thyroid hormone goes down in the bloodstream. When the thyroid gland doesn’t respond to the TSH factors it is known as hypothyroidism. The primary cause of hypothyroidism is iodine deficiency, genetic disorders, medications or thyroid surgeries. Thyroid hormones are very important for growth and metabolism.
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
Before going on the hypothyroidism diet, we will look into the symptoms which will help you to recognize your underactive thyroid or overactive thyroid.
Fatigue.
Increased sensitivity to low temperatures.
Constipation.
Dry skin.
Weight gain.
Puffy face.
Hoarseness.
Muscle weakness.
Mental illnesses like depression.
Impaired memory.
Enlarged thyroid gland (goitre).
Elevated blood cholesterol level.
Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness.
Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints.
Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods.
Thinning hair.
Slowed heart rate.
Food to Avoid with Hypothyroidism
Unfortunately, most of your pastime foods should be out of your hypothyroidism diet. You have to be very careful about the calories you take in as it is very difficult to reduce the weight with hypothyroidism. Here are the foods to avoid with hypothyroidism.
Processed Foods
Cakes, cookies, bread, pizza, burgers, hotdogs etc.
Millets
Foxtail millet, pearl millet, sorghum, Kodo, barnyard, brown top millets etc.
Supplements
Taking selenium or iodine supplements without the doctor’s directions can prove counterproductive. So, it is best to consult with a Endocrinologist once.
Hypothyroidism Diet
You have to take special care of your diet if you have hypothyroidism as it directly affects your health. Even though diet wouldn’t cure hypothyroidism, it would definitely help you in managing it. Some of the foods in the below food groups can be taken.
Fruits: Banas, berries, oranges, watermelon, tomatoes etc.
Vegetables: All vegetables except cruciferous vegetables.
Grains: Gluten-free diet by including grains like buckwheat and rice.
Seeds: Chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds etc.
Dairy: Milk, Cheese, Butter, Curd etc.
Beverages: Fruit juices and other non-caffeinated beverages.
Meat: Lamb, chicken etc.
Take-Home Points
Thyroid is a gland located behind the neck which secretes the thyroid hormone on the command from the thyroid stimulating factors (TSH) from the brain.
When the thyroid hormones are not produced in response to the TSH, it is called hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism can occur due to genetic disorders, iodine deficiency or certain medications.
Some of the important symptoms of hypothyroidism are fatigue and weight gain.
To manage the thyroid conditions better, you should avoid fatty foods, processed items, and cruciferous vegetables from your diet.
People with hypothyroidism should eat a diet that has low calories as the heavy calories can lead to weight gain.
References
FAQ on foods to avoid with hypothyroidism
Soy products, cruciferous and starchy vegetables and high fatty nuts should be kept out of the hypothyroidism diet.
A hypothyroidism diet can’t cure the condition but it can definitely manage the thyroid deficiency.
Yes! You can take bananas but in moderation.
Yes! Coffee or caffeine is not particularly harmful to thyroid problems but it’s better to drink them without milk as calcium in milk can interfere with your thyroid medications.
Vitamin B is the most important vitamin for thyroid functions. These vitamins are very important reactions to thyroid function and hormone regulation.
Yes! But you have to be careful about which form you are taking. You can take brown rice, sprouts, sprouted grain bread and quinoa for the better regulation of the thyroid hormone.
Potatoes, especially sweet potatoes, have loads of vitamins like A and B which help to regulate the hormones of the thyroid.
Milk is good for improving the thyroid gland but while taking the thyroid medications, it may not be a good choice as the calcium may interfere with the medicines.
Yes! Fasting is very good for hypothyroidism, especially intermittent fasting when you are on the medications for thyroid deficiency.
Some of the warning signs of thyroid problems are fatigue, weight changes, slow heart rate and increased sensitivity to temperature changes.
Even though almonds are filled with fats, they are packed with minerals like magnesium which are an integral part of well-functioning thyroid glands.
Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli may not directly affect the thyroid but can interfere with thyroid production if you have an iodine deficiency.
Yes! Pineapples are rich in manganese and vitamin C, both of these help in regulating the thyroid hormones.
Yes! Green tea is a good one to add to the hypothyroidism diet as they are packed with antioxidants.
Avocados are full of monounsaturated fats and antioxidants which help in the proper functioning and activity of the thyroid glands.
Beetroot and carrot juice are very good for thyroid health as they are rich in iron content. So, take one glass of each of these juices every day to manage your thyroid conditions.
Yes! Honey can be added to the hypothyroidism diet food list as they are packed with omega 3 fatty acids and can be easily used to clear off all the toxins from the body.
Yes! Chocolates are like superfoods for anyone with hypothyroidism. But try to try dark chocolate with high cocoa content or else it may lead to weight gain.
Ginger is full of antioxidant properties which can control the production of thyroid hormones. This helps to keep the thyroid hormones under control.
It is a myth that it is difficult to lose weight with hypothyroidism. It is very easy when you can cut back the sugars, reduce the bad cholesterol and follow a clean diet.
Yes! You can have watermelon for hypothyroidism. Also, being less in calories helps you in reducing weight which is otherwise difficult with thyroid deficiency.
Yes! A few ounces of orange juice can glycogen levels and kickstart the activity of the thyroid hormone.
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