5 Food Hacks for Thyroid
Ever wondered, when a doctor says “You have a thyroid”, what does he actually mean?
Well! The thyroid is basically a gland in your body shaped like a butterfly. It releases several hormones such as Thyroxine, Calcitonin, Triiodothyronine, etc. They help in regulating the metabolism of the body and make sure that your heart, brain, muscles, and other body parts work as they should.
In order to release thyroid hormones, your thyroid gland needs iodine (mostly found in iodized salt and water). When our body consumes too much or too little iodine, it ends up disrupting the functioning of our thyroid gland and causes a lot of problems such as unintentional weight gain or weight loss, fatigue, poor concentration, etc. in your body which is commonly known as Thyroid.
Though there are a lot of ways to treat thyroid, here are 5 food hacks to add to your diet that can aid in the functioning of the thyroid.
1. Increase Protein Intake
Proteins are like a vehicle for your thyroid hormones. They carry them to various cells of the body. Without adequate protein intake, thyroid hormones are not transported properly and you end up feeling tired and weak.
Add legumes, eggs, brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, and beans to your diet to get the necessary protein levels.
2. Check Iodine levels
As already mentioned, iodine plays a key role in the functioning of the thyroid gland. While taking excess iodine can cause goitre, its deficiency can lead to Hypothyroidism.
To cure this, eat Seaweed. It is one of the best natural sources of Iodine. Additionally, it is a great source of minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins. Kombu Kelp, Wakame, and Nori are three of the most consumed varieties of Seaweed.
3. Eat Fat
While you might be shunning fat for a very long time from your diet, it is highly important to note that fats are an essential component of our diet since the cell membranes are composed of proteins, fat, and cholesterol. They help in protecting our organs and keeping hormones balanced.
Coconut, avocado, butter, cheese, ghee, nuts, flax seeds, and fish are great sources of healthy fats that you should consider adding to your diet.
4. Avoid anti-thyroid foods
There are some foods that you must consider removing from your diet as they might worsen your thyroid condition.
Avoid consuming soy-based items such as soybeans, edamame, soy milk, tofu, etc. can inhibit the thyroid gland from producing thyroid hormones properly.
Other food items that you must stop consuming are Cruciferous Vegetables Like Broccoli and Cauliflower, excess sugary foods, alcohol, and poly-saturated fats such as whole grain cereals and bread, meat, and vegetable oils (soybean oil, corn, and safflower oils).
5. Baked Fish
Last but not the least, add fish to your diet. Fishes contain the highest level of Omega 3 fatty acids and selenium. They help in reducing inflammation in the body. Omega 3 fatty acids are useful in the production and balance of hormones, and help the body uptake thyroid hormone more effectively Wild Salmon, cod, sea bass, haddock, or perch are some of the most popular fishes to bake for your lunch or dinner.
Following these food hacks will definitely help you reduce symptoms of thyroid and live a healthier and happier life!
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