7 Foods to Avoid When You Have Low Thyroid Function

There are foods that you should avoid when you have low thyroid function because they can interfere with overcoming the condition. You see, there are certain foods that can affect the function of the thyroid gland.

If you know what you can and cannot eat, it will be much easier for you to combat hypothyroidism. So, in our article today, we’ll look at the foods to avoid when you have low thyroid function.

Fatty foods

Recent research suggests that fat may interfere with the thyroid gland’s ability to produce thyroid hormone. When you suffer from low thyroid function, your ability to produce thyroid hormone has already been reduced, so fatty foods will make the problem worse.

Health professionals suggest that you eliminate all cooked foods from your diet and reduce fat intake. Fats come from many sources, such as butter, margarine, mayonnaise, and fatty cuts of meat.

Gluten

When you have hyperthyroidism, you should look to decrease your gluten intake. Gluten is a protein found in processed foods made from grains such as wheat, barley, and rye. Gluten can irritate the small intestine and prevent it from absorbing the vital thyroid hormone it needs to function properly.

cruciferous vegetables

What are cruciferous vegetables, I hear you ask? Well, cruciferous vegetables are vegetables from the Brassicaceae family and are widely cultivated. Vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and leafy greens are cruciferous vegetables.

Digesting cruciferous vegetables can block the thyroid’s ability to absorb iodine. Your thyroid needs to absorb iodine to function properly. If you are going to eat some of these vegetables, cooking them first will reduce the effect they will have on your thyroid gland.

sugary food

When you suffer from hypothyroidism, your metabolism will most likely slow down and this is why many people with low thyroid function gain weight. To avoid gaining more weight, it’s best to avoid sugary foods, as they are “empty calories,” meaning they contain no nutrients. If possible, it’s best to completely eliminate sugar from your diet.

Soy

It is well known that estrogen can inhibit your body’s ability to use thyroid hormone. The reason is that soy is packed with plant-based phytoestrogens that many believe increase a person’s risk of low thyroid function. Therefore, it is recommended that if you have hypothyroidism you keep your soy intake to a minimum.

Processed foods

Processed foods, as a general rule, tend to contain a high amount of sodium. If you suffer from hypothyroidism, it is recommended to avoid sodium. When you have an underactive thyroid, you have a higher risk of high blood pressure.

Sodium intake increases the risk of high blood pressure. So when you go grocery shopping, remember to read food labels, as they tell you the sodium levels in foods. A good guideline is to keep your sodium intake below 1,500 milligrams a day.

too much fiber

Yes, fiber is good for you, but too much fiber can interfere with the absorption of thyroid hormone. Dietary guidelines suggest that the average adult eats 20 to 35 grams of fiber a day from sources such as vegetables, beans, legumes, and fruits.

Eating healthy will improve your hypothyroidism

If you look at the foods to avoid when you have low thyroid function, you’ll see that eating healthy will help improve your hypothyroidism. The most common symptom of hypothyroidism is weight gain.