HYPOTHYROID FOOD LIST: 6 FOODS TO AVOID!

Hypothyroidism occurs when our thyroid gland is under active and therefore does not produce enough of the right hormones to keep every thing in check. Our thyroid gland produces hormones that are essential in almost all of our body processes including blood pressure and metabolism. So as you could imagine, a disturbance in the way our thyroid gland operates can affect A LOOOOT of things!

Both women and men are affected by hypothyroidism but women are more likely to suffer from it. Some of the the cause hypothyroidism include:

1. Pregnancy
2. Stress
3. Inflammation of thyroid gland aka Hashimoto’s Disease
4. A Poor diet
5. Leaky Gut Syndrome or an inflamed gut
6. Inactivity and lack of exercise
7. Genetic variables

It is estimated that in Canada 1 in 10 people who suffer from a thyroid condition! YIKES!

WHAT TO DO IF DIAGNOSED WITH HYPOTHYROIDISM

So what are you to do if your doctor diagnosis you with hypothyroidism? My first and foremost advice is to change your diet and start exercising! You can significantly improve your thyroid levels by making some small changes!

As mentioned above, one the causes of hypothyroidism is being inactive. If you are not currently working out, get your hands on a good plan (like my online program!) and hit the gym! A little bit of activity can go a long way! Weight training and aerobic exercise help improve thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and boost your metabolism naturally.

Next, start making adjustment to your diet. There are certain foods you should avoid if you have an under active thyroid. These foods include:

1. Tap water:

   Our tap water contains fluoride and chlorine which inhibit iodine absorption (which is a precursor to thyroid hormones). Best to steer away! Grab some fresh spring water or filtered water instead!

2. Gluten:

   According to mindbodygreen.com “When gluten, the protein found in wheat and other grains, passes through the gut lining and into your blood stream, your immune system will tag the foreign invader (gluten) with antibodies for destruction. The problem is that your immune system can mistake the thyroid for gluten, causing it to come under attack.” YIKES! Gluten insensitivity is often a precursor for hypothyroidism so think about removing gluten from your diet. You can opt to have gluten free grains like rice and buckwheat.

3. Sugar:

   Both low and high blood sugar have an effect on our metabolic process and our thyroid gland. “….hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia are referred to as dysglycemia. Dysglycemia weakens and inflames the gut, lungs and brain, imbalances hormone levels, exhausts the adrenal glands, disrupts detoxification pathways, and impairs overall metabolism. Each of these effects significantly weakens thyroid function.” (ChrisKresser.com) This means you need to get your blood sugar under control and stable.

4. Alcohol:

   This one is a BIG one. Alcohol directly affects our thyroids. ” had been reported to cause direct suppression of thyroid function by cellular toxicity, and indirect suppression by blunting thyrotropin-releasing hormone response. It causes a decrease of peripheral thyroid hormones during chronic use and in withdrawal. Alcohol use may also confer some protective effect against thyroid nodularity, goiter, and thyroid cancer.” (source: Indian Journal Of Endocrinology and Metabolism) It is totally worth quitting alcohol to get your thyroid hormones back to normal.

5. Refined grains and carbohydrates:

   Breads, crackers, cereal and baked good all contain refined grains. Refined grains often contain gluten and refine sugar which lead to a leaky gut. A leaky gut or inflamed gut leads to thyroid malfunction.

6. Broccoli and cruciferous vegetables:

   ….like cauliflower, soy, kale and brussel sprouts. These vegetables and plant based food contain flavonoids, Thiocyanates and goitrin which makes it difficult for our bodies to produce thyroid hormones. They also weaken our thyroid gland function making it work harder. With that said, it turns out if you cook these veggies it will weaken their effect! You can continue having cruciferous veggies but have in small portions and cooked instead of raw!

HYPOTHYROID FOOD LIST: 14 FOODS TO INCLUDE!

Next, add in more of these foods! I would recommend buying organic if you can! And remember not all vegetable are created equal. When it comes to an under active thyroid, it’s best to steer away from crucifurious veggies and those containing thiocynates like corn, lima beans and sweet potatoes!

1. Bone broth
2. Wild fatty fish
3. Coconut oil
4. Chia seeds
5. Flax seeds
6. Water
7. Fermented foods like Kimchi or Kambucha which contain good gut bacteria to help you reduce inflammation!
8. Fresh bean Sprouts
9. Beans (exception of lima beans)
10. Lentils
11. Ground turkey or chicken
12. Seaweed: contain iodine which can help you produce more thyroid hormones!
13. Sea veggies
14. Organic or Free range eggs

I hope the above list helps you heal and get onto better health! Please also check my trainwithlyzabeth online training program which comes with a meal plan designed for those with hypothyroid!

xoxoxox,

Lyzabeth