Low Thyroid Foods

Low Thyroid Foods

VEGETABLES
Alfalfa
Artichokes
Avocado
Beets
Bell Peppers
Carrots
Celery
Cucumber
Leeks
Mushrooms
Okra
Peppers
Potatoes
Sea Vegetables
Squash
Pumpkin
Tomatoes
Zucchini
Avocado and potatoes are great source of tyrosine - hypothyroidism has been linked to low levels of this amino acid.
Artichokes double up as a powerful liver detoxifier.
Sea vegatables are rich in iodine too - you can try kelp, kombu, wakame, arame and dulse.

BEANS
Azuki Beans
Black Beans
Lima Beans
Mung Beans
Navy Beans
Pinto Beans
Red Kidney Beans
Split Peas
Beans are a rich in Iodine. They are also a good source of fiber, which is helpful as many people with hypothyroidism also suffer from constipation.

HERBS
Black Pepper
Chilies
Garlic
Ginger
Cinnamon
Tumeric
Peppermint
Cilantro
Parsley
Rosemary
Some of these herbs are brilliant for warming you up and raising your metabolism - try black pepper, chilies, garlic, ginger, cinnamon and tumeric.
Cilantro will help detox metals out of your system, especially mercury, a proven toxin for the thyroid gland.

FRUITS
Apples
Apricots
Bananas
Blueberries
Blackberries
Cherries
Cranberries
Dates
Grapefruit
Kiwi
Papaya
Pineapple
Prunes
Raspberries
Cranberries are a great source of iodine. A half a cup contains 400mcg of iodine. I recommend buying fresh or frozen cranberries and adding them to smoothies. Supermarket cranberry juice usually either contains a lot of sugar or unhealthy sweeteners.
Prunes and dates are useful but only in small quantities.

GRAINS
Amaranth
Quinoa
Buckwheat
Brown Rice
Wild Rice
Although buckwheat is technically a fruit, buckwheat products are very nutritious.
You can find all these products in various flours, pastas, cereals and crackers.

OILS
Coconut Oil
Olive Oil
Raw Butter
Coconut oil has a naturally stimulating effect on the thyroid gland.

NUTS
Brazil Nuts
Macadamia Nuts
Hazelnuts
Coconut Meat
Brazil nuts are very high in selenium, which is needed to convert the thyroid hormone T4 to T3. Be sure to only eat 1 or 2 though, any more is too much! Only a little selenium is necessary for the thyroid to function properly.

FISH
Sardines
Red salmon
Sadly the global fish supply is poisoned with PCBS and mercury, substances that poison your thyroid and the rest of your body, so it is recommended to cut down your seafood consumption. Limit your fish dishes to a maximum of one serving a week.
Try taking an Omega-3 supplement - deficiencies of this fatty acid have been linked to lower thyroid hormone levels.

ANIMAL PRODUCTS
Chicken
Turkey
Beef
Lamb
Eggs
Without adequate protein the thyroid can't function properly, even if you are taking suitable thyroid medication.
Be sure you get organic free range eggs.
Chicken and turkey contain tyrosine, an important amino acid that combines with iodine to make the thyroid gland function properly.
Commercial meat is packed with antibiotics which are disruptive to the thyroid gland - all meat consumed should be organic if possible.
Processed meats, like lunch meat, bacon and spam, are loaded with dextrose, nitrates, sulphates and sugars.
Smoked or vacuum packed meats are also best avoided.