What to eat and what not to eat has become an obsession in this country. For some, it’s a way to lose weight, control weight, or prevent disease. Many try to choose foods that make them feel good or promote a stable, happy mood. If you have a thyroid imbalance, the best diet is a diet that is low glycemic, low in saturated fat, and high in protein. Thyroid disease and its consequences can be prevented or minimized with proper nutrition. In fact, the nutrition program I developed is not only for weight management, but it is more likely to prevent an autoimmune thyroid attack.
Eating too much fat will harm your immune system and can precipitate an attack on your internal organs, including your thyroid. Given the high rate of depression and anxiety in thyroid patients, it is important to consider foods that have a positive effect on mood as well as thyroid function, as brain function is largely dependent on of what you eat. A low glycemic meal plan high in good protein containing essential amino acids will improve thyroid function as well as brain function and mood.
If you ever suffer from fatigue, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, rapid heartbeat, sweating after a meal, then it’s time to consider low glycemic index foods. You need to increase your intake of complex carbohydrates which will increase trytophan and serotonin levels to help relieve depression and nourish your thyroid. These are asparagus. artichokes, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, peppers. broccoli, Brussels sprouts. cauliflower. celery, cucumber, cabbage, chives, onions, leeks, garlic, green beans. spinach, romaine lettuce and other leafy greens, mushrooms, okra, radish. snow peas, cabbage, salsa (make sure it’s sugar free), tomatoes, water chestnuts. zucchini. and all types of kelp.
Some of the foods listed above contain goitrogens which are substances that can impair thyroid hormone production unless they are cooked. Cooking usually neutralizes goitrogens, so it is completely safe to eat these foods after proper steaming and cooking. These are turnips, cabbage, mustard greens, soybeans, broccoli, cauliflower. kale, Brussels sprouts, radishes, peanuts. pine nuts, peaches, apricots and strawberries.
Your thyroid needs certain types of fat to function properly. Essential fatty acids play a crucial role in the functioning of your thyroid, so be sure to get enough omega 3 (fish or krill oil) each day. Olive oil, coconut oil, and other vegetable oils will increase your intake and also play a major role in normal brain function. In fact, I can’t tell you how many people I’ve counseled on nutrition and adding omega 3s to their diet, their depression goes away.
Protect your thyroid by getting enough antioxidants that prevent free radicals, produced by the body as well as the toxins, chemicals and pollutants we are all exposed to, from attacking our healthy cells, including the thyroid. Antioxidants help prevent cancer, and some, like beta-carotene and vitamins C and E, help prevent thyroid cancer. Some naturally occurring antioxidants only remove toxic by-products from the body, but are essential for maintaining a healthy thyroid gland and an adequate supply of thyroid hormone. These antioxidants include the trace element selenium found in nuts, vitamins A, B-complex, C, E and zinc.
Even if you don’t have a thyroid disorder. you need to make sure you’re getting enough antioxidants to protect your health and keep your thyroid functioning properly.
