Thyroid disease does not need to interfere too much with your normal diet. The importance of avoiding fast and processed foods and excess sugar is nothing new and it applies to all people who want to be healthy. You only need to avoid wheat if you have been diagnosed with celiac disease, and a simple blood test can determine this. Even soy and cruciferous vegetables are fine, but it’s best to eat them in moderation. As long as most of the food prepared at home is made with natural ingredients, you can rest assured that, at least in terms of diet, the best effort is being made to protect the thyroid. The following seven foods need attention in the daily diet of Chinese health care for thyroid regulation.
1 Fast food
The thyroid is the only organ that uses iodine. There are many reasons not to eat fast food, but when it comes to thyroid disease, the truth is that this food contains a lot of salt, but very little iodine. At home, we get a lot of iodine from iodized salt, but there is no requirement for fast food restaurants to use iodized salt in their food. The processing of fast food loses a small amount of iodine as well. Studies have confirmed that fast food foods add very little beneficial iodine to all the sodium you consume.
2 Processed foods
Like fast food, processed and packaged foods contain a lot of sodium, but rarely use iodized salt. Many of these products, even if sweet, contain too much sodium for your diet putting you at risk for heart disease and high blood pressure, while sodium intake from processed foods adds little to no critical iodine. That’s why it’s best to prepare fresh meals at home and then salt them with iodized salt.
3 Cereal
Celiac disease is a condition in which the body is unable to process the gluten found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye. The cause is not fully understood, and people with celiac disease are also at higher risk of developing thyroid disease. If you have been diagnosed with celiac disease, it is important to avoid gluten mucilage. Not only does it promote healthy digestion, but it also reduces the risk of thyroid disease
4 Soy
There is quite a bit of controversy about soy. Once considered a healthy alternative to meat products, evidence has emerged in recent years that soy can negatively affect thyroid function. Soy affects the thyroid’s ability to absorb iodine, so if you are already iodine deficient, this can significantly increase your risk of developing hypothyroidism. It is important to consume soy in moderation, especially if you are a male, as soy can also mimic estrogen in the body.
5 Organ meats
Organ meats such as liver, kidney and heart have fallen out of favor in recent years, but it’s good for you. These less popular cuts of meat provide high amounts of lipoic acid, which is known to reduce inflammation and support cognitive function. Unfortunately, if you consume too much, lipoic acid can also affect your thyroid function. Lipoic acid is also not recommended for people who are already taking thyroid medication, as it can alter the function of the medication.
6 Cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables, including cauliflower, cabbage and kale, are very healthy because they provide a lot of fiber and important vitamins and minerals. However, if you have an iodine deficiency, it’s best to avoid cruciferous vegetables. The digestive process of this particular category of produce is thought to hinder the thyroid’s ability to utilize iodine.
7 Foods high in sugar
Processed sugar is public enemy number one to health. Most of us eat too much of it and don’t even realize it. Not only does sugar cause weight gain, it also triggers systemic inflammation and increases the risk of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and tooth decay.
An underactive thyroid slows down your metabolism and can lead to weight gain even if you are not consuming a lot of sugar. Reducing your sugar intake is the number one thing you can do to improve your health and reduce thyroid disease.