Foods to eat and foods to avoid for thyroid health

Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland. While there is no one-size-fits-all diet for Hashimoto's disease, some foods may help support thyroid function and reduce inflammation.

Foods to eat for thyroid health:

• Fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation and support overall health. Aim to eat a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables to get a wide range of nutrients.

• Healthy fats: Healthy fats found in nuts, seeds, fatty fish, coconut oil, MCT oil, avocados, and olive oil can help reduce inflammation and support thyroid function.

• Lean protein: Protein is important for maintaining muscle mass and supporting the immune system. Choose lean sources of protein such as chicken, fish, tofu, and legumes.

• Gluten-free grains: Some people with Hashimoto's disease may benefit from avoiding gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Gluten-free grains such as quinoa, rice, and millet can be good sources of complex carbohydrates.

• Fermented foods: Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kefir, and kimchi can help support gut health and improve digestion.

• Iodine-rich foods such as seafood and seaweed. Iodine is an essential nutrient for thyroid function.

• Selenium-rich roods: Another essential nutrient for thyroid function. Found in seafood, sunflower seeds and Brazil nuts.

Foods to avoid for thyroid health:

• Soy: Soy contains compounds called goitrogens, which can interfere with thyroid function and hormone production.

• Cruciferous vegetables: Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale also contain goitrogens and may interfere with thyroid function when eaten in large amounts and eaten raw. Cooking reduced the goitrogens so you don’t need to avoid these vegetables completely, just don’t eat them raw.

• Gluten: Some people with hypothyroidism may have a sensitivity to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Avoiding gluten may help improve symptoms in some people.

• Highly processed foods: Highly processed foods such as fast food, sugary snacks, and packaged meals may be high in calories, unhealthy fats, and additives, and may contribute to weight gain and inflammation, which can exacerbate hypothyroidism symptoms.

• Alcohol: Alcohol can interfere with thyroid function and medication absorption, and

  may also affect liver function, which can impact thyroid hormone production.

• Millet, peanuts and pine nuts including peanut butter also suppress thyroid function so should be avoided.

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