The popular adage “You are what you eat” has never been more accurate. Previously, it was believed that exercising was the panacea for all physical ailments.
Even though routine physical activities contribute to overall physical and mental well-being, it's now apparent that nutrition plays an equally, if not more, vital role in your health.
Dieticians now contend that around 65% to 75% of your fitness and wellness hinges on your dietary choices. Consequently, if you suffer from hypothyroidism, certain food choices can help mitigate this condition.
However, if your thyroid has been inflamed or diseased for a long time, you may need to supplement your hormones daily.
In numerous cases, adhering to the dietary guidelines below can significantly mitigate hypothyroidism symptoms, prevent its occurrence, or even eradicate it entirely.
Say No to Junk Food
It's highly recommended to eliminate caffeine, flour, salt, refined sugars, and simple carbohydrates from your diet. Instead, incorporate more organic foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and berries. Cook more homemade meals and cut back on dining out. Highly processed foods, which are typically packed in cans, wrappers, boxes, or bags, can potentially trigger thyroid issues.
Incorporate Protein in Your Meals
Protein is crucial as it helps transport thyroid hormones to all body tissues and cells. Avoid soy products, artificial meats, and energy bars, and choose wild fish, grass-fed meats, and organic eggs and poultry instead.
Increase Your Fat Intake
The misconception that fat contributes to obesity and sugar is healthier has been debunked repeatedly. Dietary fat is not equivalent to body fat. Consuming healthy fats won't make you obese.
Lack of healthy fats and cholesterol can disrupt your hormonal balance, including thyroid hormones. Foods like extra-virgin olive oil, avocados, wild fish, nuts, nut butters, flax seeds, and coconut milk products provide healthy fats that support your thyroid.
Supplement Your Diet
Most modern diets lack essential nutrients like:
- Vitamin D
- Fiber
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Selenium
- Zinc
- Copper
- Vitamin A
- B vitamins
Daily supplementation can help ensure these nutrients are present in your body, promoting a healthy thyroid and endocrine system.
Avoid Wheat
Wheat gluten has a similar molecular structure to thyroid tissue. Therefore, if you have Hashimoto's disease, consuming gluten can trigger an autoimmune response on your thyroid. Wheat and other processed grains often contain preservatives, additives, and harmful chemicals that can harm your thyroid.
Incorporate Probiotics in Your Diet
A healthy gut contributes to 20% of your thyroid's functionality. ‘Good bacteria' or probiotics are essential for a healthy gut. You can find them in fermented foods like sauerkraut, yogurts, and supplements.
Limit Carbohydrate Consumption
Excessive sugar, particularly refined sugar, can harm your thyroid. Cutting back on simple carbohydrates, grains, and other high-carb foods is beneficial. High carb intake can increase estrogen levels in women, disrupting thyroid function.
Avoid A1 Casein
Dairy products can cause a leaky gut, leading to inflammation and negatively impacting thyroid function. Avoiding dairy products with A1 casein may restore your hypothyroid to normal functioning.