Hypothyroid Diet Plan:
Fill your diet with nutrient-rich whole foods to nourish your thyroid with essential nutrients. Alcohol and hypothyroidism don’t mix well as it can suppress thyroid function and potentially make symptoms worse. This delicate balance means that people with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s need to be especially careful with overdoing iodine. Foods with iodine include sea vegetables (like kelp, wakame, and dulse), fish, iodized salt, and dairy. Studies continue to investigate the benefits of gluten-free diets or their use along with nutrients like selenium.
Nutrition is one of the first places to start when it comes to managing any chronic health condition, and sometimes food sensitivities or intolerances can address the root cause of the problem. Diets that are low in or avoid gluten altogether may be helpful in managing thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s. However, these diets can be difficult and costly to follow, and packaged gluten-free foods often have other added ingredients like sugar. Studies suggest there may be benefits for people living with Hashimoto’s disease who adopt the Mediterranean diet, with its emphasis on plant-based foods and limited red meat. What you eat and how you eat it can have a big impact on the success of your Hashimoto’s disease treatment plan.
They found that there was no change in antibody levels, but patients did feel better overall and there was some reduction in inflammation [14]. The three elimination diets that we find people get best results with for gut and hypothyroid issues are the Paleo diet, low FODMAPs diet and autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet. Research also indicates that when gut problems are dealt with, thyroid health also improves, sometimes considerably. First, let’s briefly define Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism, and determine why gut and thyroid health are so intricately related. There is no ‘perfect’ diet for hypothyroid patients, instead, there are several diets that MAY be beneficial depending on the medical conditions that YOU have. I’ve included stress here because it is often one of the most overlooked lifestyle changes that thyroid patients believe they should make for weight loss.
In all of the above thyroid diet plans, dairy and gluten are key foods to eliminate at first. If you don’t make any other major changes to your diet these are definitely two to try cutting down on. As with any other new diet, you should try the AIP for 2-3 weeks and see how you feel. If your symptoms improve, try gradually reintroducing the healthy foods you’ve eliminated to see what you can and can’t tolerate.
‘For people with autoimmune diseases (like Hashimoto’s disease), it’s not uncommon to eliminate gluten,’ Cassetty said. However, in the U.S., the most common cause of hypothyroidism is the autoimmune condition Hashimoto’s disease, says Marc Cillo, M.D., an endocrinologist with UTHealth Houston in Texas. Hashimoto’s causes the body’s immune system to attack the thyroid gland, resulting in damage that impairs thyroid hormone production, notes Dr. Cillo. Having hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, means that this gland produces less of its hormones than the body needs. This can slow down the body’s metabolism and cause weight gain and fatigue, among other symptoms. Some nutrients like selenium and zinc may improve thyroid function, while others may worsen or interfere with hypothyroidism treatments.
Foods rich in selenium, zinc and iodine (like dairy products, seafood and nuts) may help lower thyroid levels. However, Dr. Cillo notes the importance of a medical professional’s evaluation. ‘There’s no reliable evidence that diet alone can effectively bring high thyroid levels to normal,’ he says. He advises incorporating healthy snacks such as fruits, nuts and vegetables between meals. ‘Replacing low thyroid levels with a thyroid hormone medication (such as levothyroxine) is the best way to bring levels back to normal,’ says Dr. Cillo.
For weight loss purposes, studies suggest this may be more effective than using the T4 replacement hormone Synthroid (levothyroxine) on its own. Proper hydration is essential to weight loss whether you have thyroid disease or not. It can also help reduce your appetite, eliminate water retention and bloating, and improve elimination and digestion. There is no “hypothyroidism diet” per se, but there certain eating rules that can help you lose or manage weight if you have low thyroid function. This article explains how hypothyroidism causes weight gain and what you can do to better manage your weight with diet, exercise, and other healthy lifestyle choices.
Fill 50% of your plate with non-starchy vegetables, 25% with lean protein, and 25% with starches from foods such as whole grains or legumes, which include nuts, beans, and seeds. ‘For example, a gluten-free or low-gluten diet has been shown to decrease antibody levels in those see post with Hashimoto’s,’ says Dr. Eitches. Antibodies are proteins the immune system makes to attack foreign invaders’or in the case of autoimmune diseases, its own tissues. Hypothyroidism refers to the thyroid gland not producing enough of certain hormones to meet the body’s needs.
If you can, work with a health coach who can help identify which foods you may need to eliminate. While medication is the primary treatment for hypothyroidism, implementing other lifestyle changes alongside medication can go a long way toward reducing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. As Wattenbarger explained, the primary treatment is medication’but that doesn’t mean your diet is totally unrelated to your treatment, either. Here’s everything you need to know about eating healthfully for hypothyroidism. Gluten-free diets remove all foods with containing gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and other grains.
Designed to help you reach your goals in the easiest, safest way possible. Still, it is important for each person to experiment and develop a diet that helps them feel their best. This article provides a meal plan, shopping list, and instructions to help you prepare for the week. For example, people you could try this out with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis have been shown to have increased markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is characterized by an excess of reactive compounds called free radicals in the body, which overwhelm the body’s antioxidant defenses and can lead to cellular damage.
Like selenium, zinc is needed for thyroid hormone production and thyroid function. Hypothyroidism means that the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. Hashimoto’s disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism and happens when the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. Also, people with hyperthyroidism try this are often treated with medication to decrease thyroid activity, which can lead to hypothyroidism. While hypothyroidism typically causes weight gain, adopting a supportive diet may contribute to overall well-being. However, individual responses vary, and weight changes should be discussed with healthcare professionals.
People with hypothyroidism may want to avoid foods that contribute to oxidative stress and inflammation, such as ultra-processed foods, foods and beverages high in added sugar, and fried foods. Some studies suggest that people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may benefit from following a gluten-free diet. Other studies disagree on whether a gluten-free diet is necessary for everyone with the condition.
The best way to go gluten-free is to focus on foods that are naturally gluten-free, such as vegetables, fruits, lean meats, seafood, beans, legumes, nuts, and eggs. Selenium is a mineral found in foods like Brazil nuts, tuna, lobster, halibut, and grass-fed beef. Early research suggests that selenium supplementation can improve the mood or well-being of those with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. This effect is more pronounced in people with deficiency or low levels at the onset.
Some studies have shown that the people with low levels of vitamin D may also have thyroid disorders but the link is not clearly defined and may be coincidental. Other reasons for hypothyroidism include radiation, surgery, pregnancy, certain medications, and a diet lacking in iodine. For example, studies have shown that people who eat a lot of meat, are obese, or consume fewer fruits and vegetables have higher rates of Hashimoto’s disease.