7 Things To Eat And Avoid In The Hypothyroidism Diet

Hypothyroidism is a disorder in which the body produces insufficient thyroid hormones. As a result, patients with hypothyroidism may experience fatigue, hair loss, weight gain, coldness, and depression, among other symptoms. Here are some foods that you should and should not have on your hypothyroidism diet.

# Iodine

The body needs iodine to make thyroid hormones, but the body cannot produce it; thus, iodine must be obtained from food. A lack of iodine can also result in an enlarged thyroid gland, known as a goiter. Iodine insufficiency is uncommon in the United States due to the widespread usage of iodized table salt, but it is frequent in other countries.

It is critical to avoid taking too much iodine, which can aggravate both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

# Zinc

Another mineral that may benefit thyroid hormones is zinc. One small-scale research found that zinc supplementation, alone or in conjunction with selenium supplementation, enhanced thyroid function in hypothyroid women.

# Selenium

Selenium is a micronutrient with antioxidant properties that aids in the generation of thyroid hormones. It is naturally found in thyroid tissue. According to a 2017 study, maintaining selenium levels in the body aids in the prevention of thyroid illness and supports general health.

Foods You Should Avoid

# Processed Foods in Packages

Having an underactive thyroid raises a person’s risk of high blood pressure, and overeating salt increases this risk even more. Processed foods include a lot of salt, which persons with hypothyroidism should avoid because high sodium intake can significantly increase blood pressure.

The best way to avoid this on your hypothyroidism diet is to keep track of your sodium intake. Read the “Nutrition Facts” label on the package to see the amount of sodium. According to the American Heart Association, those at high risk of high blood pressure should limit their salt consumption to 1,500 mg per day.

# Gluten

Gluten can irritate the small intestine and interfere with the absorption of thyroid hormone replacement medicine if you have celiac disease. According to a May 2017 paper published in the journal Endocrine Connections, hypothyroidism and celiac disease frequently coexist.

According to research published in July 2019 in Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes, a gluten-free diet may provide therapeutic advantages for women with thyroid illness.

If you must have gluten, make it whole-grain bread, pasta, and rice, which are strong in fiber and other minerals and can help alleviate bowel irregularity, a typical symptom of hypothyroidism.

# Excess Fiber

Fiber is beneficial to your health, but too much might complicate your hypothyroidism treatment. According to the government’s Daily Guidelines for Americans, persons up to 50 should consume 25 to 38 grams of fiber each day.

Excess dietary fiber from whole grains, vegetables, fruits, beans, and legumes affects your digestive tract. It can interfere with the absorption of thyroid hormone replacement medicines.

# Alcohol

According to research published in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, alcohol use might have a negative impact on both thyroid hormone levels in the body and the thyroid’s capacity to make hormones.

Alcohol appears to have a toxic impact on the thyroid gland, impairing the body’s capacity to utilize thyroid hormones. People with hypothyroidism should avoid alcohol totally or drink in moderation.