Hypothyroidism Diet

Posted on 27. Dec, 2011 by admin in Hypothyroidism Information

What to Eat and What to Avoid in a Hypothyroidism Diet

Many people, in recent years, have had the need to adhere to a hypothyroidism diet. Hypothyroidism is a condition wherein the thyroid gland is not able to secrete sufficient thyroxine and triiodothyronine. This leads to the slowing down of bodily functions.

Mental and physical sluggishness is experienced and several other symptoms may become apparent, such as: weakness, fatigue, weight gain, dull facial expression, memory loss, depression, puffy eyes, heavy menstrual flow for women, constipation and even heart ailments like bradycardia and pericardial effusion. A balanced Hypothyroidism diet is one of the key factors in treatment and should be monitored at all times.

A special Diet for hypothyroidism may seem difficult to adhere to. The key is to understanding the effects or components of certain ingredients. A hypothyroid diet can essentially be broken down in two sections, mainly: what to eat more of, and what to avoid.

What to Eat in a Hypothyroidism Diet:

Iodine and iodine-rich food

Iodine is used to make the thyroid hormone, but is not naturally produced by the human body. Humans get iodine from food sources. A proper hypothyroidism diet should include a lot of iodine rich whole food. Some examples are:

Cow’s milk
Yogurt
Tuna
Salmon
Seaweed
Eggs

In addition, a natural way to add iodine in a hypothyroid diet is to put a bit of iodized salt in a dish. It is important to note, however, that while it contains the needed iodine, iodized salt is still composed mainly of sodium, which can be harmful to the body when taken in large doses. High levels of sodium are one factor in patients with high blood pressure. So be more aware to take everything in moderation.

Selenium-rich food

Selenium plays a role in the functions of a thyroid gland by acting as a cofactor or a non-protein chemical compound that attaches itself to protein and enables the protein’s biochemical transformation. It basically helps the thyroid perform its primary function. A diet for hypothyroidism should be rich in selenium-rich food such as:

Brazil nuts (which are said to have the highest level of selenium among any other type of nut.)
Cereals (preferably whole wheat)
Meats
Mushrooms
Fish (tuna, salmon)
Eggs
Shellfish, like crabs and lobsters

There are also some plants that are rich in selenium and would be ideal to include in a hypothyroidism diet. They are, however, quite unusual and not really considered as food by most societies. These selenium rich plants include the astragalus species, prince’s plume, woody asters, and the false goldenweed.

Fiber

Fiber is key to controlling one’s weight, especially when battling a condition like hypothyroidism. Fiber will not only help one feel more full, but it will also improve one’s digestion and prevent constipation, which is another side effect of this condition. A hypothyroidism diet should always include:

Whole wheat cereals (complex carbohydrates are better than refined grains like flour or sugar)
Oatmeal
Beans
Rice (brown or black is better than white rice)
Niacin rich food

The mineral niacin aids in the normal function of the thyroid gland. Food rich in Niacin should be included in any hypothyroidism diet. These are:

Brown rice
Chicken
Turkey
Tuna
Pomegranates
Food rich in Vitamins A, E and Zinc

Vitamin A, vitamin E and zinc all work together to produce thyroid hormone. There is a whole range of natural food sources for these vitamins and mineral, such as:

Carrots
Almonds
Avocados
Mangoes
Peanuts
Sunflower seeds
Broccoli (but this has to be taken only once or twice a week, as it is also considered to be a goitrogen)
Beef
Chicken
Lamb
Barley
Oysters
Wheat
Turkey
Food rich in Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is required for the normal manufacture of thyroid hormone. Food rich in vitamin B6 include:

Sweet potatoes
Bananas
Brown rice
Chickpeas
Mangoes
Potatoes
Salmon
Tuna
Turkey

Notice that some items come up more than once in these lists. These items are the most beneficial and should be the top ingredients in a patient’s hypothyroidism diet. The addition of daily vitamin and mineral supplements to one’s hypothyroidism diet is encouraged as this ensures that certain levels of these important compounds are met regularly.

What NOT to Eat in a Hypothyroidism Diet:

There are certain foods that fall in the category of GOITROGENS. These are food that are said to suppress the thyroid’s uptake of iodine and cause an enlargement of the thyroid. These food items must be consumed very infrequently by patients with hypothyroidism. If it cannot be avoided, then it is best to eat a very limited amount, and to also increase the intake of iodine rich food.

Goitrogens include:

Soy beans and its by-products
Some fruits like pears, peaches and strawberries
Cruciferous vegetables, such as: cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, kale, collared greens, and similar green leafy vegetables
Some root crops like cassava, rutabagas and turnips

These food choices inhibit thyroid hormone release, induce metabolic degradation of thyroid hormones, or interfere with thyroid hormone action.

Because hypothyroidism leads to weight gain and most of the foot items to avoid are those that are associated with regular diets and weight loss, patients with hypothyroidism are also discouraged to eat refined grains and sugar. Whole wheat substitutes are recommended instead.

Knowing what is beneficial and actually including it in the hypothyroidism diet is important in ensuring that the thyroid performs its function properly. Knowing what needs to be avoided and actually staying away from it, or taking it in very minimal amounts, is also key to making sure that the thyroid experiences as little deterrent as possible to its performance.

Adjusting to any kind of strict diet may be troublesome for a lot of people. Being well-informed about the ins and outs of a hypothyroidism diet may give patients an easier time adhering to it.

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