|  | Conditions Treatments | Diabetes

Diet for Diabetes With Hypothyroidism

A diet for diabetes with hypothyroidism has specific requirements. Eating certain foods with either disease can cause symptoms. Learning what to eat, and when, makes management of blood glucose levels and thyroid levels easier. Hypothyroidism often causes weight gain, which makes maintaining blood sugar more difficult. A diet for both illnesses will address weight, food reactions, and blood glucose levels.

  1. What to Eat

    • A healthy diet filled with nutrient-dense foods and lower in carbohydrates is ideal for diabetes and hypothyroidism. Vegetables and lean protein should make up the bulk of the diet. Include fish, chicken breast, and lean beef. Pork and turkey breast are also acceptable forms of lean protein. Eggs, cheese, and yogurt are all okay to eat. Vegetarians can replace lean meats with beans and nuts for protein. You may need to use moderation when eating fruits because of how they affect blood glucose levels. Test to see which fruits cause lower glucose spikes and eat those. Berries are usually a good choice. Drink water regularly.

    When to Eat

    • When to eat is almost as critical as what to eat in a diet for diabetes with hypothyroidism. Do not skip breakfast; it kick-starts metabolism. Eat smaller meals spread throughout the day instead of two or three large meals. The biggest meals should be earlier in the day, and you should eat a lighter dinner. Snack on healthy foods when you are hungry. Try not to eat after dinner. If you need a snack, choose a lean protein over carbohydrates.

    Foods to Avoid

    • Avoid eating high-carbohydrate foods, and when you do consume them, be sure the portion sizes are correct. Eat cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli) in moderation because they can interfere with thyroid function. Soy also disrupts thyroid function and prevents the effectiveness of thyroid replacement medication. You should limit saturated fats, such as those in fatty meats, and replace them with healthy fats, like omega3 fatty acids, which are found in foods like fish and flax seeds. Remove soda and other sugary drinks from your diet. Have a food allergy test done to show any specific foods to avoid due to allergies or intolerances. Food allergies are sometimes found in conjunction with other autoimmune diseases like hypothyroidism.

    Weight Loss

    • It is important for a diabetic to maintain a healthy weight for better blood glucose control, but this is more difficult with hypothyroidism. Losing weight can seem nearly impossible. Metabolism is slower and the body does not function quite as it should. Incorporate exercise into your daily schedule to better control weight and glucose levels. The American Diabetes Association recommends at least 30 minutes a day. Sleep is another important factor. Without enough sleep your body will have an imbalance of cortisol, an appetite-regulating hormone, resulting in feelings of hunger even after you've consumed enough food. Lack of sleep is also known to affect the ability to break down carbohydrates, and this causes an increase in blood glucose. Go to bed earlier to prevent sleep deprivation.

Diabetes - Related Articles