Healthy Thyroid Diet Foods
Hypothyroidism causes a myriad of unpleasant symptoms that can make life difficult and unpleasant. Fortunately, you can improve your symptoms by avoiding specific foods that inhibit your body’s ability to absorb replacement hormones associated with thyroid treatment.
Foods to Avoid
Certain foods may be fine for people with healthy thyroid glands; however, they aren’t always appropriate for people taking thyroid medications. If you are on some form of replacement therapy, try cutting the following from your diet.
Soy
Loaded with plant-based phytoestrogen, soy can interfere with your body’s ability to effectively use thyroid hormone. What’s more, research indicates that eating too much soy could increase a person’s risk for developing hypothyroidism.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale and other cruciferous Vegetables can interfere with the production of thyroid hormone, especially for those with iodine deficiencies. If you have thyroid problems, limit your consumption of these vegetables to no more than 5 ounces per day.
Gluten
Some research suggests that gluten may hamper absorption of thyroid hormone replacement medications by irritating the small intestine. If you do decide to eat gluten, focus on whole-grain varieties, which provide fiber that can improve regularity. Also, take your medication several hours after consuming gluten, so it is less likely to interfere with absorption.
Fatty Foods
Fats may also interfere with your thyroid’s ability to produce enough hormone. Try cutting butter, margarine, mayonnaise and fast food from your diet to see if this improves the way you feel.
Sugary Foods
Because hypothyroidism slows the body’s metabolism, you should avoid sugary foods, which contain lots of calories and few nutrients.
Coffee and Alcohol
Because coffee can interfere with thyroid hormone replacement, you should not consume it within at least 30 minutes of taking your medication. Likewise, you should seriously limit your alcohol consumption, since beer, wine and liquor suppresses the body’s ability to use thyroid hormone.
