If you're feeling sluggish, the first place you probably go is your coffee machine. But if your thyroid is running a bit slow, a few changes in your diet may help to naturally bring back that bounce in your step!
The great news is that following a low thyroid diet need not be a chore. Most of the foods on this list have numerous other health benefits and can make some delicious recipes.
Use this as an opportunity not only to get your thyroid working properly, but to improve your general health too!
| Category | Foods to Eat | Notes |
|---|---|---|
VEGETABLES |
Alfalfa Artichokes Avocado Beets Bell Peppers Carrots Celery Cucumber Leeks Mushrooms Okra Peppers Potatoes Sea Vegetables Squash Pumpkin Tomatoes Zucchini |
Avocado and potatoes are great source of tyrosine - hypothyroidism has been linked to low levels of this amino acid. Artichokes double up as a powerful liver detoxifier. Sea vegatables are rich in iodine too - you can try kelp, kombu, wakame, arame and dulse. |
BEANS |
Azuki Beans Black Beans Lima Beans Mung Beans Navy Beans Pinto Beans Red Kidney Beans Split Peas |
Beans are a rich in Iodine. They are also a good source of fiber, which is helpful as many people with hypothyroidism also suffer from constipation. |
HERBS |
Black Pepper Chilies Garlic Ginger Cinnamon Tumeric Peppermint Cilantro Parsley Rosemary |
Some of these herbs are brilliant for warming you up and raising your metabolism - try black pepper, chilies, garlic, ginger, cinnamon and tumeric. Cilantro will help detox metals out of your system, especially mercury, a proven toxin for the thyroid gland. |
FRUITS |
Apples Apricots Bananas Blueberries Blackberries Cherries Cranberries Dates Grapefruit Kiwi Papaya Pineapple Prunes Raspberries |
Cranberries are a great source of iodine. A half a cup contains 400mcg of iodine. I recommend buying fresh or frozen cranberries and adding them to smoothies. Supermarket cranberry juice usually either contains a lot of sugar or unhealthy sweeteners. Prunes and dates are useful but only in small quantities. |
GRAINS |
Amaranth Quinoa Buckwheat Brown Rice Wild Rice |
Although buckwheat is technically a fruit, buckwheat products are very nutritious. You can find all these products in various flours, pastas, cereals and crackers. |
OILS |
Coconut Oil Olive Oil Raw Butter |
Coconut oil has a naturally stimulating effect on the thyroid gland. |
NUTS |
Brazil Nuts Macadamia Nuts Hazelnuts Coconut Meat |
Brazil nuts are very high in selenium, which is needed to convert the thyroid hormone T4 to T3. Be sure to only eat 1 or 2 though, any more is too much! Only a little selenium is necessary for the thyroid to function properly. |
FISH |
Sardines Red salmon |
Sadly the global fish supply is poisoned with PCBS and mercury, substances that poison your thyroid and the rest of your body, so it is recommended to cut down your seafood consumption. Limit your fish dishes to a maximum of one serving a week. Try taking an Omega-3 supplement - deficiencies of this fatty acid have been linked to lower thyroid hormone levels. |
ANIMAL PRODUCTS |
Chicken Turkey Beef Lamb Eggs |
Without adequate protein the thyroid can't function properly, even if you are taking suitable thyroid medication. Be sure you get organic free range eggs. Chicken and turkey contain tyrosine, an important amino acid that combines with iodine to make the thyroid gland function properly. Commercial meat is packed with antibiotics which are disruptive to the thyroid gland - all meat consumed should be organic if possible. Processed meats, like lunch meat, bacon and spam, are loaded with dextrose, nitrates, sulphates and sugars. Smoked or vacuum packed meats are also best avoided. |
Imagine waking up every morning with a clear head, having an abundance of energy and feeling excited about the day ahead!
If this sounds like a dream, you need to check out the Hypothyroidism Solution e-book.
Have you experienced any of these symptoms?
The Hypothyroidism Solution is written by Duncan Capicchiano, a world renowned, fully qualified naturopath.
Start tackling your Low Thyroid today - Click Here to find out more about the Hypothyroidism Solution e-book!