Thyroid is shaped like little butterfly in our neck below the thyroid cartilage (Adam’s apple).

Thyroid hormone regulates our metabolism and  are in charge of how we feel, how and how much the body uses energy; it determines how other hormones and vitamins are used in the body and is in charge of the growth and maturation of body tissues. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the amount of thyroid hormones in the body is below normal. Desirable TSH level for maintenance for weight is between 0.5 to 2.4.

What Your Hypothyroidism Diet Plan Must Have?

For those who have hypothyroidism it is important to understand that the kind of diet you eat and follow, it  will help you lower your signs and symptoms, and simultaneously help you to maintain a healthy weight. Weight gains is one of the symptom of  thyroid problems and also to many people it will get rather hard to loose weight  with this particular condition.

Nutrition Strategies: 

A Nutrtion therapy for somebody with hypo thyroid would come with whole grain products, balanced meals, lots of fruits and veggies along with a good way to obtain seafood along with other lean protein. A multivitamin is most likely advisable if you do not already take one. Vitamin B, E C and mineral like selenium  and iodine are most essential.

First thing, Improve intake of iodine. Before the government decided to iodise our salt, we Indians had lots of cases of goiter. Goitre is another  outcome of thyroid malfunction. Goitre was very common decade ago, its not so common now, thanks to iodised salt.

• Natural Iodine containing foods are – banana, carrots, strawberries, whole wheat, green leafy vegetables and milk. Lots of natural foods  contain iodine and we avoid eating because we think we are fat and  foods like banana is fattening, but fact is Its good source of iodine. Isn’t It time to think in terms of nutrients they provide and not calories? So come in let’s consume all the nutrients that we need to support healthy thyroid function, and even if we are taking the morning thyroid pill, lets work at reducing dosage. Take small frequent meals, by eating 5 or 6 small foods which improves sluggish metabolism.

• Avoid crash dieting i.e. very low calorie diet, if we do so , even if our thyroid is functioning perfectly normally, it starts slowing down, trying to match its metabolism to the low calorie diet. And then of course, if we already have hypothyroidism, the diet further weakens our thyroid action, by teaching it to slow down more to match the low calorie diet.

• Have balanced diet which included one serving of  each of following : whole grain(jowar,nachni,wheat) roti, green leafy vegetable or other seasonal vegetables and as accompaninment include dal, dahi or kadhi, because you need to complete your amino acid profile.

• Essential Amino Acids,  good quality carbs (unprocessed), iodine and start taking vitamin B, C and E supplements. Increased nutrients and therefore calorie intake is not just support thyroid but also reassures and encourages it to improve metabolism to match the increased intake.

• Make sure your Iron and Vitamin B12 levels are in check.

• Having bottled mineral water helps to bring down TSH levels naturally too.

AVOID:

•Avoid or reduce grains such as Soybean, Millet (Bajra), Peanut, Lentils (Masoor). Reduce the intake of  raw vegetables such as Cabbage (Patta Gobi), Cauliflower (Phool Gobi), Rape Leaves (Sarson), Raddish (Mooli) and Turnips as much as you can as it contains goitrogen which interferes in thyroid absorption.