What to eat and what not to eat has become an obsession in this country.
For some, it is a way to lose weight, control their weight or to prevent disease.
Many try to select foods that make them feel good or promote a stable, happy mood.
If you have a thyroid imbalance, the best eating plan is a low-glycemic, low saturated fat, high-protein diet.
Thyroid disease and its consequences can be prevented or minimized with proper nutrition.
In fact, the nutrition program I developed is not only for weight management but is most likely to prevent an autoimmune attack on the thyroid.
Eating too much fat will harm your immune system and can precipitate an attack on your internal organs including your thyroid.
Given the high rate of depression and anxiety among thyroid patients, it is important to consider the foods that have a positive effect on mood as well as thyroid function because the functioning of the brain depends to a great extent on what you eat.
A low-glycemic index meal plan that is rich in good protein containing essential amino acids will improve thyroid function as well as your brain function and mood.
If you ever suffer fatigue, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, rapid heartbeat, sweatiness after a meal, then it is time to consider foods with a low-glycemic index.
You need to increase your consumption of complex carbohydrates that will increase trytophan and serotonin levels to help alleviate depression as well as feed your thyroid.
They are asparagus.
artichokes, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, bell peppers.
broccoli, Brussels sprouts.
cauliflower.
celery, cucumber, cabbage, chives, onions, leeks, garlic, green beans.
spinach, romaine lettuce and other leafy greens, mushrooms, okra, radishes.
snow peas, sprouts, salsa (make sure it is sugar-free), tomatoes, water chestnuts.
zucchini.
and all types of kelp.
Some of the foods listed above contain goitrogens which are substances that can impair the manufacture of thyroid hormone unless they are cooked.
Cooking usually neutralizes goitrogens so it is quite safe to eat these foods after adequate steaming and cooking.
They are turnips, cabbage, mustard greens, soybeans, broccoli, cauliflower.
kale, Brussels sprouts, radishes, peanuts.
pine nuts, peaches, apricots and strawberries.
Your thyroid needs certain kinds of fat to work properly.
Essential fatty acids play a crucial role in the functioning of your thyroid so make sure you are getting enough Omega 3's (fish or krill oil) each day.
Olive oil, coconut oil and other vegetable oils will increase your intake and also play a major role in the normal functioning of the brain.
In fact, I can not tell you how many people I have counseled on nutrition and when adding Omega 3's to their regimen, their depression goes away.
Protect your thyroid by getting enough antioxidants which prevent free radicals, produced by the body as well as toxins, chemicals and pollutants we are all exposed to, from attacking our healthy cells including the thyroid.
Antioxidants help prevent cancer, and some, such as beta-carotene and Vitamins C and E, help prevent thyroid cancer.
Some antioxidants found in nature only only clear the body's toxic by-products but are essential for maintaining a healthy thyroid gland and an adequate supply of thyroid hormone.
These antioxidants include the trace element selenium found in walnuts, Vitamins A, B-complex, C, E and zinc.
Even if you do not have a thyroid disorder.
you need to make sure you are getting enough antioxidants to protect your health and maintain a proper functioning of your thyroid.