Tips for Hypothyroidism
Stodgy carbohydrates like ‘normal’ bread, pasta and cakes are hard to metabolise and anti-thyroid – avoid.
Avoid brassica vegetables/the cabbage family – they contain substances called ‘goitrogens’ that are anti-thyroid, blocking your use of iodine; this includes broccoli, cabbage, sauerkraut, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, turnip etc – also avoid soya beans, peanuts, pine nuts and millet for the same reason.
Hypothyroidism demands a good supply of vitamins E, A, C, B2, B3, B5 and B6 and also the minerals copper, magnesium, zinc and selenium and the amino acid tyrosine. Chromium is known as the metabolism mineral and those with hypothyroidism are often advised to take supplements, as it can be hard to get enough from food.
You’re advised to keep animal fats very low or to cut them out altogether – get essential fats from seeds, oils and supplements of evening primrose/borage or flax oils. Be aware that soya products depress thyroid function, and if you have problems with anaemia or low iron levels, avoid dairy products, as they interfere with iron absorption. Vitamin C is essential for iron absorption, but be cautious of reaching for citrus fruits – often people with hypothyroidism are advised to avoid most citrus fruits – especially grapefruit and all types of oranges.
It’s suggested that people with hypothyroidism can’t convert Beta-carotene – the vegetable source of vitamin A – into a form of vitamin A the body can use, therefore, be cautious if you follow a vegan diet, as you could have a serious lack of this vitamin, which is most prevalent in animal produce – certainly consider supplementing.
It is essential you get plenty of iodine – I mainly use seaweed – in powders, pill form and added to salads. It’s also wise to have warming/stimulating foods like garlic, spices, different onions etc, to perk up your metabolism. Personally I finely chop garlic pieces into oil, as a constantly evolving salad dressing pot or for use in recipes – it makes it more digestible.
People with hypothyroidism need to eat lightly but regularly – ideally every 4 hours or so to keep the metabolism ticking over but not burdened.
Remember – information can be confusingly conflicting – research and make your own decisions on what’s right for your body. There are very good online resources to help you educate yourself about this condition – see the Links section for more details.
My book ‘Revealing the Physical Changes‘ has a whole section on Thyroid care – for more info, see HERE.
To read more of Angela's thoughts on how to go raw successfully, happily and for the long-term, see her books HERE.