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The Hypothyroidism Diet: Do Small Changes Help?
Yes, it is true--there are specific foods that can affect how well your thyroid functions if you have hypothyroidism.
Those who have hypothyroidism may fight a constant battle with weight because the metabolism is not running as fast.
Luckily, there are small diet changes you can make to better support the thyroid.
Foods that Support Thyroid Function
- Seafood: Contains iodine (and selenium) which the thyroid needs to make the thyroid hormones. Low iodine levels can result in lower thyroid function.
- Yogurt and skim milk
- Cheeses: One ounce is a serving. Include in moderation because too much cheese can lead to excess calories for the day.
- Seaweed and other sea vegetables
- Eggs
- Brazil nuts and sunflower seeds: High in selenium which can help to improve the amount of active thyroid hormones in the body.
- Foods high in fiber like apples, pears, and whole grains: Helps to improve digestion.
Foods That Limit Thyroid Function
- Processed sugary foods or white starches: This will help to maintain better energy levels and better blood glucose levels.
- Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbages, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and dark green leafy vegetables: Do not totally eliminate these foods because they have an abundance of positive health benefits.
But, an excess can prevent the thyroid from using iodine as well. You can also try cooking these vegetables to reduce the active chemical that slows thyroid function. - Soy: Can also block the use iodine by the thyroid.
- Pine nuts and peanuts
Exercise
Most professionals suggest those that have hypothyroidism need to increase their exercise by 15 to 20 minutes each day in order to offset the metabolism slow-down that can happen with hypothyroidism.
Take Away Points
It is important to realize that changing your diet only will not dramatically change how your thyroid functions. It is important to see your doctor to work to improve this condition, and seeing a local dietitian can help to tailor a plan to your needs.
However, weight issues should improve with a better functioning thyroid!
Do you or someone you know have hypothyroidism? How do you manage it?
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8 Comments
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Created / Updated: January 30, 2012
I had no idea the veges from the Brassica family could inhibit iodine update. I also wonder how using different salts (i.e. sea salt) rather than iodised salts may have an unintended consequences.
ReplyMy mother in law has hypothyroidism. I will have to share these foods with her--I'm sure she would be glad to get all the help she can get.
ReplyWow, such a nice information this may help my friend that has hypothyroidism. She eat a lot of foods and didn't think for her diet.
ReplyThanks for your very informative post!
I have hypothyroidism. My doctor told me the no soy thing but didn't know any others.
ReplyI have a h* of a time losing weight - even averaging 10 miles a day running last year and reducing calories most of the year, still overweight. But I don't know that it's just they thyroid because I have friend with heavier medicine dosages for me who are super thin who eat more and exercise less. There seem to be a lot more involved. (However, exercising less and eating more seems to be resulting in a slow weight loss now, go figure!)
Could you provide references for these claims? Exactly what chemicals in cruciferous veg slows thyroid fxn? How long should they be cooked to decrease this effect? And how do you define "excess"? Thanks!!
ReplyThanks for your questions!
Excess example: Eating a whole bag of broccoli (3-4 cups) at a time. These veggies contain what are called goitrogens which mean that they slow how the thyroid functions. The excat chemical is called isothiocyanates which blocks an enzyme that is key for thyroid function.
By cooking the vegetable it may help to destroy that chemical somewhat although this is just a theory.
One key reference for you:
Braverman LE. Thyroid gland disorders. In: Beers MH, ed. Merck Manual of Medical Information. 2nd ed. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories; 2003:948-953
Info about goitrogens: George Mateljan Foundation. What are goitrogens and in which foods are they found? Accessed at: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=47
ReplyThat is the exact website I cited to defend what you stated about Almonds. This is a concern, since my partner has some thyroid problems that are asymptomatic but just show up on tests. For instance, he does not have low energy or any weight problem whatsoever, except that he can have some difficulty holding on to his weight. He did have radiation treatments for head and neck cancer 13 years ago- that might have something to do with it. He now eats a spinach salad most days. He also eats fish and kelp. I hope the spinach is no problem for him. Thanks.
Replywhat if you do not have issues with your thyroid? should you try to get extra of the foods that support thyroid function, for the reason taht it boosts metabolism?
Reply