Hippocrates wrote ‘let food be thy medicine’, and that is a good starting point for planning an underactive thyroid diet. Diet will not cure hypothyroidism, but eating foods for thyroid health can do you a world of good. The following five food groups contain the best foods for thyroid health: vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, as well as modest amounts of healthy fats. They are not only foods for thyroid health, but also foods for cardiac health.
1. Vegetables
In our fast food society, many people think vegetables are something sprinkled on top of Domino’s pizza, or the pickle on a Big Mac. That attitude won’t work for those who seek foods for thyroid health. Eat your vegetables, and enjoy improved health on an underactive thyroid diet.
Well prepared vegetables are delicious foods for thyroid health, so enjoy your:
- Kale
- Squash
- Beets
- Spinach
- Cabbage
- Bell Peppers
2. Fruits
Certain fruits are excellent foods for thyroid health. They are rich in antioxidants, and contain many nutrients that make them a delicious addition to your underactive thyroid diet.
You’d be surprised how many wonderful fruits promote thyroid health:
- Watermelon
- Berries: blueberries, strawberries, and cranberries
- Dates: fresh or dried
- Raisins
3. Whole Grains
What is a whole grain, and what makes it one of the best foods for thyroid health? Whole grains are natural or unprocessed grains, which still retain their kernel or bran: they are unprocessed food. White bread is white because the kernel and bran have been bleached out of it. You probably eat whole grains without even knowing it. Ever go to the ballgame or movies, and have some popcorn?
Corn is a whole grain, and so are the following:
- Buckwheat
- Oats
- Barley
- Rye
- Brown rice
- Corn
Oatmeal for breakfast or corn on the cob for dinner will provide servings of healthy whole grains that promote your thyroid health and your overall health. Just read the food labels carefully, and choose whole grains over ‘multi-grains”. People confuse the two, but multi-grain bread is usually a mixture of whole wheat flour and white flour.
4. Lean Protein Sources
Not all proteins are created equal. On the underactive thyroid diet, lean proteins are superior to fattier proteins.
You can choose from these lean proteins when you want to purchase foods for thyroid health:
- Chicken and turkey
- Fish, especially fish that is rich in omega 3s, such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna, and herring
5. Polyunsaturated Fats
What is a polyunsaturated fat, and why does it belong in the underactive thyroid diet? Polyunsaturated fats are also known as good fats—they are not the fats that lead to higher cholesterol levels. These fats are foods to help an underactive thyroid, and also to maintain good cardiac health.
While many doctors and medical reference websites state that diet alone will not cure an underactive thyroid, they feel that an underactive thyroid diet in conjunction with thyroid medication will improve thyroid function. It is also a healthy diet, which reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiac disease. Foods for thyroid health are foods for overall health.
To your ultimate health,
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