The best diet for hypothyroidism includes a thyroid diet for weight loss and foods that assist the medications in increasing their efficiency to get better results. 

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that secrets the thyroid hormone. This hormone carries out various metabolic and regulatory functions in the body such as growth and cell repair. The metabolism of the body helps in maintaining the body temperature and regulating the rate at which your body burns calories.

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormones. This directly affects the metabolism and cell repair function of the body. So, people suffering from hypothyroidism may experience fatigue, weight gain and low mood among other symptoms. This condition affects 1-2% of the world population.

Hypothyroidism could be caused by many reasons such as iodine deficiency, genetic disorders, certain medications or Hashimoto’s disease in which your immune system attacks your thyroid gland. Though hypothyroidism cannot be cured by only food, a combination of a hypothyroidism diet plan and medication can minimize the symptoms and help restore the normal functioning of the thyroid.

In this article, we will focus on which foods to avoid if you are suffering from hypothyroidism. Indian diet for hypothyroidism includes a variety of foods such as whole wheat products, milk products, fruits and vegetables along with iodised salt. For foods to eat in hypothyroidism see here.

Foods to Avoid With Hypothyroidism:

When you’re following a diet for hypothyroidism it is best to avoid certain nutrients that can hurt thyroid functioning. Most commonly Goitrogens interrupt the normal functioning of the thyroid gland. So, any foods containing Goitrogens should be strictly avoided. Here’s a list of foods to avoid.

Highly Processed Food: 

Try to avoid processed food such as cakes, cookies, hot dogs etc. 

Cruciferous Vegetables:

Cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, kale etc. interfere with thyroid production. However, cooking them well can inactivate the goitrogen compounds so proper care must be taken.

High Fat Food:

In hypothyroidism, the metabolism of your body is already reduced which means you’re not burning as many calories as you should. This makes you gain weight very fast. In such conditions, consuming food that is rich in fat can worsen the situation. It is recommended to avoid high-fat food during hypothyroidism. In fact, you should include low-fat and high-fibre food in your thyroid diet for weight loss. Fibre-based food can also ease constipation which is a common problem with hypothyroidism.

Also Read: Healthy Diet Plan for Night Shift Workers (Employees)

Soy-Based Food:

Isoflavones which is usually found in soy restricts the body from absorbing iodine and also reduces the effects of medications for hypothyroidism. Avoid food products such as tofu, soymilk, miso, edamame etc.

Nuts and Seeds:

Nuts such as millets, pine nuts and peanuts are rich in goitrogen which restrict iodine absorption and hence should be strictly avoided.

Also Read: Top 6 Best Foods to Control Diabetes

Caffeinated Drinks and Alcohol:

Certain beverages such as tea, coffee and alcohol can obstruct thyroid production and should be avoided.

Sugary Foods:

Chocolates, sweets, doughnuts etc. which have a high amount of sugar can cause significant weight gain in patients with hypothyroidism. So, these foods should be avoided as much as possible.

Low Carb Diet:

Reduce your carb intake. Try to include a moderate amount of carbs in your diet. The number of carbs should neither be too high or too low, as a very low amount of carb intake can lower thyroid hormone levels in the body which might, in turn, make your symptoms worse.

Mindful Eating:

Try paying attention to what you’re eating and how fast you’re eating. Try not to occupy yourself with other activities while eating such as watching TV or talking. Mindful eating is healthy for your body and also helps you keep your weight in check.

It is easy to gain weight when you have hypothyroidism so it helps to keep a healthy exercise routine. Taking the right nutrients, following a healthy diet in combination with effective medication can reduce the symptoms of hypothyroidism.

However, it is always advisable to consult a professional dietician to know more about the diet for hypothyroidism. Dietician Priyatama Srivastava is a professional certified dietician with years of experience in treating hypothyroidism through diet. Priyatama Srivastava is the best dietician in Gurgaon and Delhi NCR. Book an appointment with her Nutri-diet clinic Go Moringa today for more information.