Theres no one best diet for hypothyroidism. But a healthy diet like the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains can make you feel your best and keep you healthy. That's true for just about anyone.
If you have hypothyroidism, you may benefit from eliminating gluten, processed foods, and other foods that may trigger your immune system or cause inflammation. Hypothyroidism is a health condition in which the body doesnt make enough thyroid hormones. It affected about 11.7% of U.S. adults in 2019. Thyroid hormones help manage a number of bodily functions, including growth, cell repair, and metabolism. As a result, people with hypothyroidism can experience symptoms like: fatigue hair loss weight gain See full list on healthline.com The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that sits near the base of the front of your neck. It makes and stores thyroid hormones that affect nearly every organ system in your body. When the thyroid gland receives a signal called thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), it releases thyroid hormones into the bloodstream. This signal is sent from the pituitary gland, a small gland found at the base of your brain, when thyroid hormone levels are low. In hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland doesnt release sufficient thyroid hormones, even when there is plenty of TSH. Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimotos thyroiditis) is an autoimmune disease in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid gland. Its the most common cause of hypothyroidism in iodine-sufficient populations. Causes of primary hypothyroidism include: See full list on healthline.com Following a nutritious diet is important for everyone, but studies show that certain dietary interventions can have specific benefits for people with hypothyroidism. Hashimotos thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. Its an autoimmune disease that leads to the gradual destruction of thyroid tissue by white blood cells, or lymphocytes. Hashimotos thyroiditis is more common in women and often develops between ages 30 and 50, though men and younger people can develop the disease too. Many studies have shown that dietary changes can benefit people with Hashimotos thyroiditis in a number of ways. This includes improving thyroid function, promoting a healthy body weight, and reducing hypothyroid symptoms. Gluten-free diets, autoimmune elimination diets, and anti-inflammatory diets are some of the dietary patterns shown to be helpful for those with Hashimotos thyroiditis. For example, gluten-free diets may help improve thyroid function. Additionally, diets high in vegetables and fruits could protect against cellular damage and promote healthy body weight maintenance in people with Hashimotos thyroiditis. See full list on healthline.com Iodine Iodine is an essential mineral that is needed to make thyroid hormones, and a deficiency can lead to hypothyroidism. In fact, insufficient iodine intake is the most common cause of hypothyroidism worldwide. Though iodine deficiency is common in many areas of the world, its less common in developed countries like the United States. People who dont use iodized salt, pregnant women, and people following vegan diets are more at risk of having low iodine levels. If you have hypothyroidism, avoid supplementing with iodine unless a doctor recommends it to treat low iodine levels. Taking in excessive amounts of iodine is harmful for the thyroid and can cause hyperthyroidism in people living in iodine-abundant areas, like many parts of the United States. If youre concerned that youre not taking in enough iodine, contact a healthcare professional or dietitian to assess your iodine levels and determine the best iodine intake plan for you. Selenium Selenium is another mineral thats necessary for thyroid health and thyroid hormone production. It helps protect the thyroid from damage caused by oxidative stress. Adding selenium-rich foods to your diet is a great way to boost your selenium levels. Examples include: Brazil nuts tuna sardines eggs legumesAdditionally, selenium supplements can be helpful for certain people with hypothyroidism. For example, research from 2023 suggests that supplementing with 200 micrograms (mcg) of selenium per day has been shown to decrease thyroid antibodies and improve certain symptoms like low mood in people with Hashimotos thyroiditis. But this doesnt mean that selenium supplements are necessary for all people with hypothyroidism. Only supplement with selenium if recommended by a healthcare professional. The National Institutes of Health has identified 400 mcg of selenium as the daily upper limit for adults. Chronically high intake of selenium can cause symptoms like hair and nail loss, diarrhea, nausea, and skin rashes. Acute selenium toxicity can have serious, and sometimes fatal, effects like kidney failure, heart attack, and breathing problems. Zinc Like selenium, zinc is needed for thyroid hormone production and thyroid function. Not getting enough zinc can negatively affect your thyroid function and many other aspects of health, so its essential to get enough of this nutrient in your diet. When used alone or combined with other nutrients like selenium and vitamin A, zinc supplements may help improve thyroid function in those with hypothyroidism. If youre interested in taking a zinc supplement, talk with a healthcare professional. They can determine whether or not a zinc supplement may be appropriate for you. See full list on healthline.com Gluten and ultra-processed foods Gluten is a group of proteins found in wheat, barley, triticale, and rye. Some studies suggest that people with Hashimotos thyroiditis may benefit from following a gluten-free diet. Other studies disagree on whether a gluten-free diet is necessary for everyone with the condition. Additionally, people with hypothyroidism may want to limit certain foods in order to promote overall health. For example, people with Hashimotos thyroiditis have been shown to have increased markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is characterized by an excess of reactive compounds called free radicals in the body, which overwhelm the bodys antioxidant defenses and can lead to cellular damage. People with hypothyroidism may want to avoid foods that contribute to oxidative stress and inflammation, such as ultra-processed foods, foods and beverages high in added sugar, and fried foods. In addition to contributing to oxidative stress, a diet high in these foods is linked to obesity, so cutting back on these products could also help people maintain a healthy body weight. Goitrogens Goitrogens are substances found in cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage and Brussels sprouts, and soy products that may interfere with thyroid hormone production. Most people, including those with hypothyroidism, can enjoy moderate amounts of goitrogenic foods without negatively affecting their thyroid health. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli are actually quite low in goitrogens. Plus, cooking goitrogenic foods reduces goitrogenic activity, making them safer for people with hypothyroidism. That being said, its a good idea to avoid consuming large amounts of juice made with raw cruciferous vegetables. People with hypothyroidism may want to avoid eating large amounts of: cabbage Russian kale bok choy Brussels sproutsOther goitrogenic foods include soy and pearl millet. In general, people with hypothyroidism may want to avoid eating large amounts of any goitrogenic foods. Diet and thyroid medication Make sure youre taking your thyroid medication on an empty stomach to promote optimal absorption. This includes avoiding beverages, foods, and supplements that could interfere with medication absorption. Experts suggest taking thyroid medications like levothyroxine at least 3060 minutes before breakfast or at least 34 hours after dinner. Even coffee can significantly affect thyroid medication absorption, so its important to always take your medication on an empty stomach and wait at least 30 minutes before consuming foods or beverages besides water. Its also important to avoid taking thyroid medication within 4 hours of taking iron or calcium supplements.Summary People with hypothyroidism dont have to avoid many foods, but they may want to avoid consuming large amounts of goitrogenic foods and limit ultra-processed foods to promote overall health. Additionally, people with Hashimotos thyroiditis may benefit from a gluten-free diet. See full list on healthline.com Following a diet rich in nutritious foods can help improve overall health and promote healthy body weight maintenance. Plus, a nutrient-dense diet can help reduce the risk of health conditions linked with hypothyroidism, such as heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. A diet high in fiber can also help lower the risk of constipation, which is a common symptom of hypothyroidism. If you have hypothyroidism, try incorporating the following nutritious foods into your diet: Non-starchy vegetables: greens, artichokes, zucchini, asparagus, carrots, peppers, spinach, or mushrooms Fruits: berries, apples, peaches, pears, grapes, citrus fruits, pineapple, or bananas See full list on healthline.com Everyone with hypothyroidism has different health and dietary needs. Your calorie needs depend on a number of factors, including: age activity level gender height whether youre trying to lose or gain weight See full list on healthline.com Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, is a health condition that affects many people worldwide. It can cause symptoms like tiredness, weight gain, constipation, low mood, and cold intolerance among many others. Theres no best diet, but eating the right nutrients and taking medications can help manage hypothyroidism symptoms, improve thyroid function, and promote overall well-being. Everyone has different diet needs, but people with hypothyroidism can benefit from a diet rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts, and fish. See full list on healthline.com Focus on eating a healthy diet that includes fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and protein. Limit or avoid soy because it increases the risk of high TSH. Selenium is a mineral essential for thyroid hormone metabolism. Good food sources include beef and Brazil nuts. The Perfect Thyroid Diet is a research-based diet plan designed to optimize your thyroid function. This easy to follow meal plan works for all thyroid problems. There's no such thing as a magic hypothyroidism diet. Find out which foods, combined with medical treatment, support thyroid function and what to skip. View all In this guide, we dive into the best foods for thyroid health, plus which foods to avoid. Heres what you need to know to transform your diet for optimal thyroid function. For women with hypothyroidism or Hashimotos, nutrition is a cornerstone of healing. A well-crafted meal plan ensures you get enough protein, fats, carbs, and micronutrients (like selenium, zinc, and iodine) to fuel your metabolism, reduce inflammation, and support thyroid function.
Focus on eating a healthy diet that includes fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and protein. Limit or avoid soy because it increases the risk of high TSH. Selenium is a mineral essential for thyroid hormone metabolism. Good food sources include beef and Brazil nuts.
The Perfect Thyroid Diet is a research-based diet plan designed to optimize your thyroid function. This easy to follow meal plan works for all thyroid problems.
There's no such thing as a magic hypothyroidism diet. Find out which foods, combined with medical treatment, support thyroid function and what to skip. View all In this guide, we dive into the best foods for thyroid health, plus which foods to avoid. Heres what you need to know to transform your diet for optimal thyroid function. For women with hypothyroidism or Hashimotos, nutrition is a cornerstone of healing. A well-crafted meal plan ensures you get enough protein, fats, carbs, and micronutrients (like selenium, zinc, and iodine) to fuel your metabolism, reduce inflammation, and support thyroid function.
