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Writer's pictureCandi N.

My Hypothyroidism Diet ; Hypothyroidism Foods and Nutrients

Updated: Feb 4, 2023

Hypothyroidism. It’s a condition that occurs when the body doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone — versus hyperthyroidism, in which your body makes too much thyroxine hormone.

Thyroid hormones are all-important, playing a major hand in everything from cell repair and metabolism to regulating our energy levels and moods. Without these hormones, people with hypothyroidism end up dealing with a whole range of possibly risky symptoms and complications. Approximately Up to 60 percent of people with thyroid disease are not even aware that they have it according to the American Thyroid Association.


I do not always follow a hypothyroid diet because I tend to follow the 80/20 rule for my overall daily diet which is where I basically eat nutritious foods 80 percent of the time and the Rest of the 20 percent, I can eat or drink anything I want. I also incorporate the blood type diet in my hypothyroid diet because I also align myself with the blood type diet theory which is eating according to your blood type. These two lifestyle diets have different foods and nutrients that are beneficial to each so I decide which one is best for me according to my lifestyle, health and body needs.

"Happiness is the highest form of health. Dalai Lama"

Aside from eating a healthy diet according to my hypothyroidism condition and blood type diet, I am a firm believer in keeping a positive outlook on life and to not stress about the things that I can not change. Happiness, is important to keeping a healthy mind and body because when the body releases endorphins, it will stimulate a happy mood and promote a healthy mind and body.


Foods I Avoid


Foods that contain goitrogens should be eaten in moderation. As for soy-based food, some research has found that consumption of soy may interfere with your ability to absorb thyroid medication. For that reason, you may want to wait about four hours after eating soy-based foods before taking your regular dose. Check with your doctor to see what’s best for you.

Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and cabbage may inhibit the production of the thyroid hormone if you have an iodine deficiency. According to some research, digesting these vegetables may block the thyroid's ability to utilize iodine, which is essential for normal thyroid function. On the other hand, according to the Mayo Clinic, you would need to intake a high amount of cruciferous vegetables to actually affect iodine in your body.

Furthermore, when it comes to consuming cruciferous vegetables, cooking them ideally can lessen the effect that cruciferous vegetables have on the thyroid gland.

In regards to fat, not all fat is bad for hypothyroidism and for people in general because the type of fat you eat matters as well. For example, omega 3 and monounsaturated fats raise healthy cholesterol.


  • Millet

  • Soy including Edamame, Tofu, and Miso

  • Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and cabbage, cauliflower

  • Processed Fatty Foods ( Avoid trans fats completely! )and Fried Foods

  • Gluten, found in bread and pasta

  • Processed Foods in Packages and Frozen Foods

  • Coffee ( At same time as taking Hypothyroid medicine )

  • Alcohol


When it comes to Gluten, consider consuming it in moderation and If you choose to eat gluten, be sure to choose whole-grain varieties of bread and pasta that are high in fibre and other nutrients and can help improve your metabolism. Also consider consuming gluten some hours before or after taking your hypothyroid synthetic medicine but of course consult with your doctor or endocrinologist for advice on this topic. Another thing to consider is I have researched about consuming gluten but also have read some medically reviewed articles pointing out that it might not be the gluten, but rather the GMO`s in the food, so once again, please consult with your doctor for a more accurate customised advice for your individual needs.

According to a study in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Alcohol appears to have a toxic effect on the thyroid gland and suppresses the ability of the body to use thyroid hormone.

As for processed foods and frozen foods, it is mainly the high sodium content that is to be taken into consideration or moderation to reduce risk for high blood pressure. However, not all hypothyroid individuals have high blood pressure. For example, I do not have high blood pressure but I do exercise or do some light exercising or even stretching at least once every week.

Coffee is another thing to be careful of consuming it at the wrong time which is during the time you are taking your hypothyroid medicine, which can interfere with the absorption. According to a study in the journal Thyroid, caffeine has been found to block absorption of thyroid hormone replacement.

Personally, I wait a few hours after taking my hypothyroid medicine to drink coffee.


Here I have gathered and listed below the beneficial foods for hypothyroidism that I like to incorporate into my hypothyroidism diet, while of course modifying it to my own health needs as well.


Hypothyroid Foods : Nutrients And Foods For My Boosting Thyroid


Nutrients I consume for my Thyroid

  • Vitamins A, B12, D, E, K and Iron

  • Iodine

  • L-Tyrosine (Amino Acid)

  • Selenium

Foods I eat for Boosting Thyroid

  • Ginger

  • Turmeric

  • Fish

  • Shell fish

  • seeds: flax, poppy, chia, hemp, sunflower, fennel, pumpkin, sesame

  • eggs

  • nuts: almonds, Brazil nuts (selenium), cashews, walnuts

  • nutritional yeast

  • Banana

  • Coconut

  • Olive oil

  • Avocado

  • hemp seed oil

  • chicken, turkey

  • grass fed beef

  • sea vegetables

  • Beans and lentils

  • leafy greens

  • citrus- all kinds

  • carrots

  • celery

  • fresh herbs

  • squash

  • yogurt, liquorice




Disclaimer


This is not a replacement for seeking actual medical advice or professional advice and they should always speak to a doctor beforehand.

It is each readers` responsibility to evaluate your own medical and physical condition, or that of your clients, and to independently determine whether to perform, use or adapt any of the information or content on this website. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available throughout this website is for general purposes only.

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