Did you know that the food you eat can affect your thyroid health? Some foods can help boost your thyroid function and bring it into balance – while others will do the exact opposite.
Why learn about foods for your thyroid health?
Food heals. And when it comes to foods for your thyroid, it’s all the more true.
Foods that affect thyroid health often play a key role in whether your thyroid is functioning properly, so it makes sense to start there when you’re aiming to restore the health of your thyroid.
Food can be your friend or your enemy when you’re dealing with thyroid trouble, depending on which foods you’re focusing on.
Here’s a list of foods that can help or hurt your thyroid:
Foods That Nourish the Thyroid
Coconut oil. For many people, the simple act of eating more coconut oil is enough to raise their body temperature and supply them with natural energy, which indicates the powerful role coconut oil plays in thyroid health. Buy high quality coconut oil online here.
Cod liver oil. The bioavailable vitamin A in cod liver oil is especially supportive of healthy thyroid function, because the thyroid depends on plenty of natural vitamin A.
Butter. With its plentiful supply of vitamin A and iodine, butter remains a thyroid food that nourishes the whole body.
Eggs. Similar to butter, eggs are a rich source of vitamin A and iodine. Plus, they are en excellent source of protein. Getting plenty of natural amino acids through protein is good for your thyroid.
Seafood. The richest source of natural iodine, seafood played an important role in traditional Asian cultures. These people ate soy (highly fermented, of course) on a daily basis, but also ate plenty of iodine-rich seafood to counteract soy’s anti-nutrients. Sea vegetables like kelp and dulce are especially nutritious, and so is genuine fish broth.
Foods That Damage the Thyroid
Wheat and other grains like rye, barley, millet and oats. There has been some evidence of the link between gluten-sensitivity and poor thyroid health function. If your thyroid isn’t in great shape, you’ll probably be better off restricting your intake of gluten. Millet contains goitrogens, and should be avoided if you’re concerned about your thyroid.
Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, turnips, brussels sprouts and kale. These veggies are known for their thyroid-suppressing properties because they contain goitrogens. Thorough cooking deactivates these to some extent. You don’t have to eliminate these vegetables from your diet, but it would be wise to reduce your intake if you’re concerned about thyroid health.
Soy. Yes, I am including this one twice because it’s one of the worst foods for your thyroid. Don’t underestimate how damaging this food is to your metabolism.
Coffee. Caffeine overstimulates the thyroid and interferes with the absorption of nutrients that could benefit thyroid health. It’s best to limit your consumption of caffeine-laden beverages like coffee. ***(UPDATE Dec. 2012: My original ideas about coffee and thyroid health may be incorrect. As it turns out, coffee may be beneficial to thyroid health in addition to providing other important benefits. Read my latest post on coffee here.)
Don’t Forget these Thyroid Health Tips:
- Remember that regardless of what you are or aren’t eating, not eating enough is a surefire way to interfere with natural thyroid function.
- Dieting and under-eating are top contributors to thyroid imbalances, so make sure you are eating plenty of real food for your activity level and lifestyle.
How do you nourish your metabolism and take care of your thyroid? Tell me your thyroid health tips in the comments below!
Want to Learn More?
You can read more about my thoughts on nutrition, stress and metabolism in my eBook The Nourished Metabolism. No gimmicks, just a balanced perspective on how you can improve your metabolic health. Click here to check it out.
More Resources for a Nourished Metabolism:
- Daily Recommended Protein: How Much Do You Really Need?
- Boost Your Energy and Mood with Cococeps
- 7 Healthy Habits That Are Stressing Your Metabolism