What You Should Eat (And Avoid) To Improve Thyroid Health

If you weren't so lucky, the pills didn't work. You felt like a frumpy, fatigued, and constipated version of yourself. Caffeine and sugar became your energy crutch. Dealing with thyroid issues can be confusing. As a nutritionist and a woman who reversed her own subclinical thyroid condition in three months, I'd like you to have a broader picture of food and your thyroid.

However, studies suggesting a strong link between cruciferous vegetables and thyroid disease are limited. Possibly because the amount of cruciferous vegetables you would need to eat to interfere with iodine far exceeds normal consumption levels. In fact, the vast majority of the research shows2 the consumption of cruciferous vegetables will not exacerbate or cause thyroid issues. So, no reason to miss out on the whole host of benefits from eating cruciferous vegetables. 

To support thyroid health5, try snacking on one or two Brazil nuts per day. Providing 90 micrograms of selenium per nut, or 129% of the daily intake recommended by the U.S. government, Brazil nuts are the perfect food-based supplement. 

Snack on nori dusted with sea salt; make nori wraps filled with avocado, wild salmon, sweet potato, sprouts and mâche; add hijiki to a kale and pumpkin seed salad; eat wakame in a miso soup; or add dulse to a butternut squash soup.

Did you know heavy metals could be messing with your thyroid? Mercury, lead, and aluminum can all inhibit thyroid function7. In animal studies, chlorophyll8 has been shown to bind with heavy metals to rid them from the body. Try drinking a shot of chlorophyll upon waking to help boost energy levels and support thyroid function.

Helps to balance the hypothalamus and pituitary9, which release TRH (thyroid-releasing hormone) and TSH respectively. These hormones regulate thyroxine, also known as T4, levels. Maca also contains zinc, B vitamins, and iron, which are all required for optimal thyroid production.

Of course, some foods can be triggering if you have thyroid issues. Below are foods to avoid to help heal your thyroid:

Gluten, a protein found in wheat, can wreak havoc on thyroid function. It can initiate thyroid antibody production10, causing inflammation and damage. Studies have shown that ditching gluten keeps Hashimoto's symptoms at bay11 in some patients. I've seen TPO levels drop from the 1,000s to less than 30 just from removing gluten.

The concern is that soy protein isolate may mimic the hormone estrogen in the body, disrupting thyroid functions. It can also interfere with the absorption of thyroid medications, so be sure to consult with your doctor about eating soy.

By eating clean and smart, taking the right supplements, managing your stress levels, and avoiding environmental toxins you may be able to manage your thyroid condition. But you should also seek help from a medical professional to treat any symptoms you experience.