Helpful List of Foods to Eat with Hypothyroidism: Eat These Foods to Shed Extra Pounds and Stay Within a Healthy Weight Range

Helpful List of Foods to Eat with Hypothyroidism: Eat These Foods to Shed Extra Pounds and Stay Within a Healthy Weight Range
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Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is not working properly. Not enough of the thyroid hormone is produced. (An overproduction can also occur — this is known as hyperthyroidism). There is no specific cause, but a series of factors, including poor diet, medication and drug use, and the consumption of fluoride, too many unsaturated fats, and pesticides from non-organic produce can all affect the thyroid. The result is poor body temperature regulation (you tend to feel cold), chronic fatigue, weight gain, loss of appetite, fertility problems, muscle cramps, infections, migraines, and depression.

While seeing a doctor is very important if you have or think you have this condition, it is also helpful to include the following list of foods to eat with hypothyroidism.

What to Include in the Diet

One of the most important nutrients to include in the diet with hypothyroidism is iodine. Iodine-rich foods include:

  • Kelp

  • Fish

  • Shellfish

    salmon sushi

  • Mushrooms

  • Garlic

  • Onions

  • Watercress

Although table salt can be a source of iodine if it is enriched with this nutrient, it is not a healthy choice to consume more table salt. A good substitute is an iodine-rich herb salt.

Other great foods to eat with this condition are:

  • Dates

  • Apricots

  • Prunes

  • Raw seeds

  • Oatmeal

  • Brown rice

    goat cheese

  • Whole wheat bread

  • Egg yolks

  • Chicken

  • Carrots

  • Sweet peppers

  • Green leafy vegetables

  • Raw milk cheeses

  • Potatoes

  • Parsley

While focusing on beneficial foods as part of a healthy, balanced diet can help, spending a month eating mostly fresh, raw foods can really make a difference. Have fruits, vegetables (excluding or minimizing the specific ones to be wary of listed below), raw nuts, seeds, and raw milk products. Drink fresh vegetable juices and eat green salads. Supplement with kelp and essential fatty acids. Eat plenty of whole grains. Drink herbal teas such as bayberry and black cohosh. Take mugwort extract. All of these efforts can help your body and metabolism return to a state of balance so the thyroid has the chance to function properly once again.

What to Avoid and Be Wary Of

While the following foods are great sources of vitamins and minerals, they can contribute to the suppression of the thyroid. These ‘goitrogens’ can inhibit the use of iodine. Eat these fruits and vegetables in moderation. In severe cases of hypothyroidism, it may help to avoid these foods altogether.

  • Peaches
  • Pears
  • Cabbage
  • Turnips
  • Broccoli
  • Mustard
  • Radishes
  • Mustard greens
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Kale
  • Pine nuts
  • Peanuts
  • Soy products

To support overall well-being stay away from processed foods, excess sugar, and refined white flour products. Completely avoid fluoride.

While hypothyroidism can be a difficult condition to live with, it can also be viewed as a sign that the body needs extra care. Be sure to get enough nutrition, include this list of foods for hypothyroidism in the diet, drink plenty of water, get regular moderate exercise and plenty of rest.

References

Balch, Phyllis, CNC. “Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition.” (The Penguin Group, 2006).

Page, Linda. “Healthy Healing: A Guide to Self-Healing for Everyone, 11th Edition” (Traditional Wisdom, 2003).

Photo Credits

photo by: Itinerant Tightwad (CC/flickr) https://www.flickr.com/photos/itineranttightwad/3694711587/

photo by: Larryjh1234 (CC/flickr) https://www.flickr.com/photos/dinesarasota/3459055757/

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