Foods to Avoid for Thyroid Patients – Thyroid disease is one of the most common endocrine disorders worldwide. A recent survey has shown that about 42 million people in India suffer from thyroid diseases. You can avoid the risk of getting this disease by following a healthy diet plan. It is important that what foods to eat and what foods to avoid for thyroid patients.
The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland found at the base of your neck. This gland is responsible for making thyroid hormone which controls many activities in your body. Women are more likely to have thyroid problems as compared to men. The different types of thyroid diseases include Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, Goiter, Thyroid Cancer, Thyroid Nodules, etc.
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Foods To Avoid For Thyroid Patients
Your thyroid gland produces hormones that affect your whole body. The nutritional deficiency may occur when your food lacks certain nutrients in it. Adding some specific foods and supplements can support your thyroid functioning and treatment. Some food items that you should avoid in thyroid condition are:
Say No to Heavily Processed Foods
The first thing that you have to change in your diet is that you should eliminate heavily processed foods from your food items. The heavily processed foods include frozen pizza, microwave dinners, donuts, processed meat, chicken burgers, etc. Some of these processed food items contain ingredients that can cause cancer.
Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol leaves a negative and toxic effect on your body. It also creates a negative effect on the ability of the body to absorb thyroid hormone. So, it is better to limit alcohol consumption in order to save yourself from thyroid diseases.
Avoid Fried Foods
You should also avoid fried foods to avoid the risk factor of thyroid disease. The fried foods contain some unwanted fats that block the thyroid’s ability to produce hormones. They are also harmful to your health.
Avoid Gluten
It is known that hypothyroidism is autoimmune in nature. On consumption of gluten, the antibodies can trigger the gluten which ultimately attacks your thyroid gland. So, you should avoid eating gluten in your diet. A gluten-free diet helps in reducing inflammation and losing excess weight.
Low-Glycemic Diet
A low-glycemic diet is low in sugar and carbohydrates which are quickly absorbed. These include bread, rice, pasta, cereals, potatoes, and corns. This diet helps you to balance the rise in blood sugar levels. When your blood sugar is balanced, then it reduces the overall stress on your thyroid hormones.
Avoid Soy
The soy-rich foods and soybeans inhibit the activity of an enzyme which is responsible for making thyroid hormones. A recent study has shown that people eating soy-rich food items are more likely to develop hypothyroidism.
Avoid Iodine-Rich Foods
Consuming too much of iron-rich foods can have a negative impact on the thyroid gland and it can also suppress thyroid gland activity. It will be better if you avoid iron-rich foods to recover from a thyroid problem.
Avoid Fatty Foods
Fats generally disrupt the body’s ability to absorb the thyroid hormone. You should cut out all fried foods such as butter, meat, mayonnaise, margarine, etc. from your diet plan.
No Sugary Foods
You should avoid the sugary food items as they contain a lot of calories in them. Sugary foods do not contain enough nutrients.
Avoid Caffeine
Caffeine blocks the absorption of thyroid hormone replacement. The people having excess coffee intake have uncontrollable thyroid levels. However, you should take your thyroid medications with simple water.
Avoid Certain Vegetables
Some vegetables contain goitrogens in them. Goitrogens are the compounds that may interfere with the normal functioning of the thyroid gland. The vegetables which contain goitrogen include cabbage, broccoli, spinach, kale, and cauliflower. So, it is better to avoid eating these vegetables.
Conclusion
A thyroid problem is a common problem that is found in many people. Following a thyroid-friendly diet can help you in maintaining a healthy weight. You should eat unprocessed foods and lean protein. In this way, you can get rid of the thyroid disease.
