Written By: Debjani Arora | Updated : May 25, 2016 10:17 AM IST
Hypothyroidism is a condition wherein your thyroid gland becomes underactive leading with low production of thyroid hormone which could hamper various physiological functions. Apart from this, low amount of thyroid hormone can also lead to mood swings, depression, constipation, weight gain and other health problems. While medications are a must to get your thyroid levels back on track, but few diet habits can also help you to do so efficiently. Here are 10 quick facts about thyroid diseases that you are not aware of.
Here are nine diet habits that can help you manage hypothyroidism and live a healthy happier life.
Follow a low-fat diet: Hypothyroidism slows down your metabolism which means a diet rich in fat can make you pile on pounds. Fats can also interfere with the thyroid s ability to function optimally making the condition worse. People with hypothyroidism should follow a low-fat diet intentionally and meticulously, says Deepshikha Agarwal, sports nutritionist and dietician, Mumbai. Avoiding processed foods, red meat, excess sugar, fried foods, mayonnaise, butter and whole milk is advisable. Here is a sample low-fat diet from an expert dietician.
Choose the right vegetables: While we usually think that we can t go wrong with vegetables, it isn t true for people who suffer from this condition. One should be cautious while selecting vegetables and go for the ones that have a high metabolic rate. Vegetables like bottle gourd, bitter gourd, ridge gourd, French beans and other beans are low in calories and rich in fibre and a good option for hypothyroidism patients. They are easy to digest and help to relieve constipation too, says Deepshikha. Stay away from cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and such as they can block the thyroid s ability to absorb iodine and lead to fluctuations in the hormone level. Also, know about these eight reasons why boiled vegetables are good for you.
Drink more green tea: For a sluggish metabolism green tea just serves the purpose to curb it. Having two cups of green tea can help you improve your metabolism and keep your weight in check, says Deepshikha. However, green tea also contains fluoride that can hamper iodine absorption so limit your intake. Did you know green tea also have side effects?
Opt for antioxidant-rich foods: Inefficient metabolism leads to oxidative stress and production of free radical in the body. So it is necessary for people suffering from the condition to load up on naturally found antioxidants from foods. Include more coloured foods in your diet, like tomatoes, red and yellow peppers, carrots, eggplant to ensure you get a wide variety of antioxidants from them. Here are 10 antioxidant rich foods you should include in your diet.
Have a healthy breakfast: Skipping meals can lead to insulin fluctuations that can be dangerous for people suffering from hypothyroidism. Low insulin with low thyroid hormone could lead to seizures, weakness, disrupts lung and brain function among other problems. So it is beneficial to have meals on time and never skip breakfast. However, avoid food high in carbohydrates in breakfast. Eat more of egg whites, sprouts or cornflakes for breakfast to kick start your day and help your gland function better, informs Deepshikha. Here are five egg recipes for breakfast.
Say yes to fruits: Where else can you get all your antioxidants from if not fruits? So gorge on them, different colours, shapes and sizes. The vitamins and minerals present in fruits help the thyroid gland to function at its optimum and produce more thyroid hormone. It also reduces oxidative stress and helps in detoxification. However, if you are looking to pick up one fruit that can help fight the condition pomegranates are the best, says Deepshikha. Here are top 10 health benefits of pomegranate.
Include more dairy products: According to a study published in the journal Thyroid in 2011 there is an association between Vitamin D deficiency and hypothyroidism. Low-cal fortified milk has added vitamin D and a good amount of calcium, protein and iodine all of which is essential to fight the condition. Having a glass of buttermilk daily as a mid-morning snack is also a good idea to improve your diary intake, says Deepshikha. Here is a quick guide on how to store dairy products the right way.
Snack on nuts: A handful of nuts is not only packed with protein but also have selenium in them that help the thyroid gland to function to its optimum. However, remember to have only small amounts of it in a day as they are also high in fat and calories.
Eat more fish: If you are a non-vegetarian try eating fish thrice-a-week. They are rich in omega-3-fatty acids that can lower LDL or bad cholesterol in the body that rises due to low thyroid hormone. It also helps to reduce internal inflammation and improve immunity.
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