Thyroid Disease & Diet

Thyroid disease is characterized by the over or under production of thyroid hormone in the body. When the thyroid gland is dysfunctional, it causes other bodily systems to become unbalanced. This can effect metabolism and how effectively the body can burn calories. Someone who is hyper-thyroid will burn calories too rapidly, while someone who is hypo-thyroid will have difficulty burning calories, resulting in weight gain. If you have hypo-thyroidism, there are a few ways that you can alter the diet to help the body maintain a healthy weight.

Eliminating Refined Sugars

• Refined sugars contain calories with little to no nutrients, and when the body receives refined sugars, it immediately goes into the blood and elevates the blood sugar. This blood sugar "spike" eventually drops, making the body crave more refined sugars to boost it back up again. This cycle is not only dangerous for maintaining the way the thyroid gland and body functions, but also adds on extra calories. These extra calories lead to weight gain and an overweight condition.

Increasing Lean Proteins

• Proteins help the body regulate blood sugars, and eating protein with each meal and snack helps prevent the body from craving more calories. This can help combat the weight gain associated with a hypothyroid condition. It is important to eat proteins that are lean, such as chicken breast or tenderloin, so that the body is not receiving the saturated fats that are in fatty meats, like marbled steak or bacon.

Increasing Fresh Produce

• Fresh produce contains very high levels of vitamins and minerals, which can help someone with a thyroid disorder feel more energized and active. Fresh produce, such as apples, carrots, broccoli, cabbage, and dark leafy greens, also has a high water content and a low calorie count. This makes it easy to eat a large amount of fresh fruits and vegetables without eating excess calories.

Selecting Fats Wisely

• Certain fats are beneficial to someone with a thyroid condition, such as fats that are monounsaturated, like olive oil, or those that contain omega fatty acids, like flaxseed oil. These fats should be eaten in moderation to help support the body's systems properly. Fats that should be avoided completely include trans or hydrogenated fats, saturated fats, animal fats, and artificial fats.

Increasing Fiber

• Fiber helps thyroid disease sufferers by helping the body flush out toxins and waste easier. High fiber foods include whole grains, such as rolled oats, brown rice, and millet, as well as raw vegetables and fruits. Eating plenty of fiber will also help you feel fuller, minimizing the daily calorie count.