A Great Hypothyroidism Diet
Hypothyroidism is a disorder of the thyroid gland that results in underproduction of thyroid hormone. One consequence of hypothyroidism is slower metabolism, which can result in an unwelcome tendency to gain weight. So in addition to medical treatment, which is step one for all disorders of the thyroid, those diagnosed with hypothyroidism should modify their diets to ensure not only that they are getting the right amounts of daily nutrients, but also that they are controlling their weight.
What You Should Eat
Most nutritionists agree that a hypothyroidism diet should be rich in iodine, fatty acids, Vitamin B, zinc, and lean protein. All seafoods contain iodine, and many fish are also high in Omega 3 fatty acids. Shellfish contain the most iodine, so shrimp, lobsters, oysters and clams are all good, and oysters also represent a great source of zinc. For Omega 3s, the cold water fish are best, including salmon, halibut, cod, trout, haddock and tuna. You should always use low-fat cook methods like grill, broil, boil, bake or steam to prepare your seafood, and avoid breading and frying.
Cow's milk and egg whites are always great sources of vitamin B, and for zinc you can rely on peanuts, the aforementioned oysters, and skinless turkey and chicken breast. For your source of lean protein, organic meats are probably the best choice. Regular meats and processed meats normally contain hormones and synthetic additives which further complicate your body's already complicated chemistry, so they should be avoided. So long as you stick to predetermined portion sizes, organic meats should provide more benefits than disadvantages.
To help speed up your slow metabolism, eat five to six smaller meals spread evenly throughout the day instead of the standard breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The wider the time gap between meals, the slower your metabolism will be. This important diet secret is overlooked by many serious dieters. Eating less frequently does not contribute to weight loss. Eating smaller meals frequently does!
What You Should Not Eat
Any effective hypothyroidism diet requires that you eliminate foods which suppress thyroid production, because obviously you are trying to do just the opposite. Foremost among the thyroid suppressant foods are the Goitrogens, which interfere with iodine uptake. Goitrogens are cruciferous vegetables, including cabbage, soybeans, spinach, sweet potatoes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, collard greens, radishes, turnips, and kale. The term "goiter" which means enlargement of the thyroid, derives from "Goitrogen." It should be noted that goitrogenic vegetables can be eaten so long as they are cooked for at least 30 minutes.
Processed foods generally should be avoided, because they contain common preservatives that almost universally have a detrimental impact on your condition. Also avoid food items that are high in refined sugar (or any type of commercial sugar) and syrups. Hypothyroid sufferers have a particularly difficult time shedding extra pounds due to their low basal metabolic rate (BMR), so you should opt for natural sweeteners, like stevia and honey, instead. You must also limit your intake of candy, as it is easy to go over single servings when you are munching on a tasty treat.
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