Q. What should I eat and not eat when I have thyroid issues?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Eating the right diet can be an important part of managing your thyroid health. For example, it's best to focus on eating a balanced variety of nutrient-rich foods, limiting processed and refined foods, and avoiding certain kinds of fats. Here is an overview of specific food recommendations for people with thyroid issues:
FOODS TO EAT
• Whole grains like oats, quinoa, buckwheat, brown or wild rice
• Lean proteins like beans and legumes (chickpeas, lentils), nuts & seeds (almonds, walnuts), eggs & fish
• Fresh fruits & vegetables (leafy greens are especially beneficial)
• Healthy dietary fats from oily fish such as salmon or sardines; avocado; olive oil; coconut oil; flaxseed oil; walnuts; almonds etc.
FOODS TO AVOID
• Refined carbs such as white breads and pastries
• Saturated fats in processed snack foods like chips and cookies
• Salt/sodium rich foods like cured meats or canned soups/meals
Supplement Recommendations for People with Thyroid Issues: In addition to changing up your diet to include more whole foods mentioned above that support thyroid functioning , there are some supplements you may wish to add into your daily routine: Selenium – helps protect the body's cells making it crucial for proper functioning of the thyroid gland Zinc– plays a role in regulating hormones Vitamin D3- helps optimize calcium absorption Selenomethionine - assists in turning T4 into usable T3 Iodine - supports normal production of thyroxin Omega 3 fatty acids – reduce inflammation which is often associated with Hashimoto’s disease Lastly probiotics can help support digestion so that you don’t wind up malabsorbing vital nutrients necessary for optimal health. Eating nutritious meals should always remain the foundation for overall health but adding these supplements may give you that extra boost needed when dealing with thyroid issues!