Hey there, viewers!
What you eat affects your body.
That’s a given.
But did you know your diet is tied to your thyroid as well?
Hypothyroidism can be a tricky condition to manage, especially when you have no idea about
foods that might interfere with your treatment.
Certain nutrients can make it difficult for your body to absorb the replacement hormones.
In today’s video, we’re going to discuss 9 foods to avoid when you have hypothyroidism.
Soy, coffee, and sugary foods are a big No-No.
But what about cruciferous veggies?
We’ll be talking about all of this AND more…
1.
Soy
Hypothyroidism is no picnic.
You feel gross and tired all the time.
It can even make you feel depressed.
As if this wasn’t enough, the condition often leads to weight gain.
This is so common, experts warn more than 12% of Americans may end up dealing with thyroid
conditions at one point in their lives.
Thyroid conditions are so sneaky that the majority times, people don’t even realize
they have it.
Until they get obvious glaring signs like unexpected weight gain.
You know what food interferes with treatment the most?
Soy!
If you have hypothyroidism, you need to give up on soy including tofu, miso (me-so), and
edamame (ed-a-mom-eh).
Soy has compounds, which have a negative impact on your thyroid functions.
If you want to avoid the risk of hypothyroidism, experts believe it’s best to stay away from
foods with soy.
Or at least, time your soy intake a few hours after your meds.
There is evidence of a strong correlation between how much soy you eat and your thyroid
hormone levels.
Before you form an opinion, here’s something you should know.
More recent studies have suggested it raises the hormone levels, stimulating your thyroid
by only a small amount.
So what should you do?
Eat soy or drop it?
The answer lies in moderation.
Ask your doctor what’s best.
If you really love soy, practice portion control.
Make sure you eat anything that has soy at least four hours after your medication.
Do you like eating soy?
Which kind is your favorite?
Tofu, soybean, or tempeh?
Share your preferences with the Bestie community in the comments below.
2.
Cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables like cabbages and broccoli are high in nutrients and fiber.
They’re definitely healthy for you.
But unfortunately, cruciferous veggies can be problematic for people struggling with
hypothyroidism.
That’s because they can cause problems with the production of the thyroid hormone.
This is important if you’re iodine deficient.
It’s a key mineral your body needs to produce these hormones.
Research has shown if you eat cruciferous vegetables, your thyroid may find it hard
to use whatever iodine you have in your body.
Limit the number of cruciferous veggies you eat a day to 5 ounces.
Cooking also limits the effect these veggies have on your thyroid.
Wondering what veggies you need to watch out for?
Well, you’re already familiar with cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli.
Turnip, bok choy, kale, and Brussel sprouts are other veggies you need to slow down on.
3.
Gluten
It’s unfortunate that what makes bread, pasta, and rice taste so good is also responsible
for your thyroid troubles.
We’re talking about gluten here.
If you’re suffering from hypothyroidism, you need to remove gluten from your diet.
Research has shown hypothyroidism and celiac disease are usually present together.
Gluten is especially bad for people with celiac disease as it causes irritation in the small
intestine.
This gets in the way of any meds you’re taking to replace the thyroid hormone.
A study proved removing gluten from the diet of women with thyroid disease is beneficial
for their health.
If you do end up eating foods that have gluten in them, it’s best to delay taking your
thyroid meds.
This way you get the biggest benefit.
White bread, pasta, and rice are usually heavy in gluten.
You need to try and remove them from your diet.
4.
Fatty foods
Well who doesn’t love fried, steaks, pizza, and burgers.
But unfortunately, what tastes good for your tongue is bad for your thyroid.
Because all these mouth-watering foods contain butter, meat, and trans fat.
If you have hypothyroidism, you would be given medicines for the replacement of thyroid hormones.
But if you eat fatty or fried foods, your body won’t be able to fully absorb the meds
you’re taking.
Meat is one of the biggest culprits, while most fried food also falls under this category.
You should also avoid eating too much butter.
Fatty foods also inhibit your body’s ability to produce thyroid hormones naturally.
Cutting out all fatty and fried foods from your diet is necessary for those suffering
from hypothyroidism.
Before we move ahead, here’s another video you might like.
Your body gives warning signs that something is wrong.
Are you paying attention to them?
Watch and learn more about ten body changes that need your immediate attention.
5.
Sugary foods
People suffering from hypothyroidism find that their metabolism slows down.
This is why you put on weight when you have thyroid problems.
Taking care of your diet is mandatory when you have thyroid issues.
But it’s imperative you stop taking added sugar.
In fact, completely banning them from your diet.
Sugary foods like ice cream, chocolate cakes and cookies are filled with calories.
And these are empty calories, ones that give you no nutritive value.
You should also stay away from foods that come with artificial sweeteners.
They also impact your thyroid activity.
6.
Processed foods
Going grocery shopping?
Maybe stay away from the frozen aisle!
Frozen desserts and processed foods sure taste delicious.
But your thyroid doesn’t appreciate them.
This is because processed foods and packaged items are loaded with sodium.
And people with hypothyroidism MUST limit their sodium intake if they want to improve
their functioning.
If you’re a regular consumer of processed foods like hot dogs and cookies, your sodium
intake will be on the higher side.
If your thyroid is inactive and you add more sodium to your body, you run the risk of developing
high blood pressure.
Those with high blood pressure need to make sure they’re taking no more than 1500 mg
of sodium per day.
7.
Excess fiber
Excess is harmful in general.
While you need to get enough fiber every day, overdoing it will end up causing problems
with your hypothyroid treatment.
Eating beans, legumes, and other fiber-rich veggies are healthy, but not if you have thyroid-related
issues.
You need around 25 to 38 grams of fiber in a day.
Anything above this will impact your digestive system.
It will also mess with the absorption of your thyroid hormone drugs.
If you absolutely need to be on a high fiber diet, you need to consult your doctor about
increasing your meds.
8.
Coffee
We all depend on coffee to wake us up in the morning.
Unfortunately, this popular beverage isn’t good for your thyroid.
The caffeine found in coffee definitely keeps your mind alert and helps you focus on tasks
you’re doing.
But research has shown caffeine has an adverse impact on those taking thyroid medications.
It interferes with the absorption of thyroid medicine.
If you take your thyroid meds immediately before having your morning coffee, you need
to stop.
You should never combine medication with coffee.
People who took their medicines with coffee saw uncontrollable levels of thyroid.
The rule is to wait at least 30 minutes after your medication before having your coffee.
9.
Alcohol
A glass of wine at the end of the day definitely helps us unwind.
I don’t even know what it’s like to watch games with friends without enjoying a can
or two of beer!
As much fun as alcohol sounds, it’s not that great for your body.
Especially your thyroid!
We all know alcohol damages your liver in the long run if you aren’t a responsible
drinker.
But only a few people know about the havoc it plays with your thyroid.
It affects your thyroid’s capability to produce hormones and also messes with the
thyroid levels.
Research has shown alcohol is toxic for your thyroid gland as it ensures your body is unable
to use the thyroid hormone.
If you have hypothyroidism, you need to completely give up on alcohol, or at the very least drink
it in very little amount.
Thyroid issues are just one part of hormonal imbalance.
There are several warning signs your body gives off when all is not well in your body.
These signs are different for men and women.
Here’s how you know if you’re experiencing hormonal imbalance…
Watch 9 Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance in Women.
You can also try 11 Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance in Men.
Go ahead, click one.
Better yet, watch both, and learn more about your hormones.
Do you eat any of these foods regularly?
Do you struggle with hypothyroidism?
Let us know in the comments below!