When you have thyroid problems, it can feel like your whole body is out of whack.
The thyroid is a little gland in your neck that controls a whole lot of stuff like how fast your heart beats and how quickly you burn calories.
Whether your thyroid is too active (called hyperthyroidism) or not active enough (called hypothyroidism), what you eat can make a difference.
Let’s break down which foods are your friends and which ones you might want to keep at arm’s length.
Good Foods to Boost Thyroid Function
Seafood and Seaweed
These are rich in iodine, which is super important for a healthy thyroid. Your thyroid uses iodine to make hormones that help your body work properly.
Fish like cod and shrimp are good options, and so is seaweed, which you often find in sushi.
Nuts and Seeds
Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, and chia seeds are high in selenium, another mineral that’s key for thyroid health.
A few Brazil nuts a day can meet your selenium needs, and sunflower seeds are a tasty snack that can give you a selenium boost.
Fruits and Veggies
Look for colorful fruits and vegetables like berries, bell peppers, and spinach. They’re full of antioxidants that can help your thyroid work better.
Antioxidants are like your body’s security guards; they protect your cells from damage.
Foods You Might Want to Skip
Soy Products
Soy foods like tofu and soy milk might mess with your body’s ability to use thyroid medication, so it’s better to eat them in moderation if you’re on meds. If you love soy, talk to your doctor about how to fit it into your diet safely.
Gluten
If you have an autoimmune thyroid problem, like Hashimoto’s disease, you might want to stay away from foods that have gluten.
Gluten is found in wheat, rye, and barley. Some people find that their symptoms improve when they skip these foods.
Certain Vegetables
It may sound strange, but some veggies like cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts can mess with your thyroid if you eat a lot of them.
They’re called goitrogenic foods and they can make it harder for your thyroid to do its job. Cooking these veggies can make them less problematic, though.
Final Thoughts: Balance and Personal Guidance
The idea is not to get super stressed about food, but to make smarter choices that help your thyroid and your overall health.
If you’re dealing with thyroid issues, the first step should always be to consult a healthcare professional.
Medication may be necessary, but combining it with a balanced diet can really make a difference in how you feel day-to-day.
So, give these food tips a try and see how you feel. A better-functioning thyroid could be just a grocery trip away!
If you care about nutrition, please read studies about how the Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about plant nutrients that could help reduce high blood pressure, and these antioxidants could help reduce dementia risk.
Follow us on Twitter for more articles about this topic.
Copyright © 2023 Scientific Diet. All rights reserved.
