What foods should be avoided with hyperthyroidism?
Answers
Certain foods can help keep your thyroid healthy and reduce some of the negative effects of this condition. Some minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients are necessary to balance thyroid function.
A low-iodine diet is usually prescribed prior to some treatments for hyperthyroidism. For example, you’ll need to follow a low-iodine diet before having radiation therapy to remove excess or damaged thyroid cells.
After treatment, it’s still important to balance iodine in your diet. Other foods help to protect your thyroid and reduce the long-term effects of hyperthyroidism.
Foods to eat if you have hyperthyroidism
Low-iodine foods
The mineral iodine plays a key role in making thyroid hormones. A low-iodine diet helps to reduce thyroid hormones. Add these foods to your daily diet:
non-iodized salt
coffee or tea (without milk or dairy- or soy-based creamers)
egg whites
fresh or canned fruit
unsalted nuts and nut butters
homemade bread or breads made without salt, dairy, and eggs
popcorn with non-iodized salt
oats
potatoes
honey
maple syrup
Cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables and other types may stop your thyroid from using iodine properly. They may be beneficial for hyperthyroidism:
bamboo shoots
bok choy
broccoli
Brussels sprouts
cassava
cauliflower
collard greens
kale
mustard
rutabaga
Vitamins and minerals
Several nutrients are essential for thyroid health and to balance thyroid hormone production.
Iron
- Iron is important for many vital bodily functions, including thyroid health. This mineral is needed for blood cells to carry oxygen to every cell in your body. Low levels of iron are linked to hyperthyroidism. Get plenty of iron in your diet with foods such as:
dried beans
green leafy vegetables
lentils
nuts
poultry, such as chicken and turkey
red meat
seeds
whole grains
Selenium
Selenium-rich foods may help to balance thyroid hormone levels and protect your thyroid from disease. Selenium helps to prevent cell damage and keep your thyroid and other tissues healthy.
Good food sources of selenium include:
Brazil nuts
couscous
chia seeds
mushrooms
tea
meat, such as beef and lamb
rice
oat bran
poultry, such as chicken and turkey
sunflower seeds
Zinc
Zinc helps you use food for energy. This mineral also keeps your immune system and thyroid healthy. Food sources of zinc include:
beef
chickpeas
cocoa powder
cashews
mushrooms
pumpkin seeds
lamb
Calcium and vitamin D
Hyperthyroidism causes weak and brittle bones. Bone mass may be restored with treatment. Vitamin D and calcium are necessary for building healthy bones.
Calcium-rich foods include:
spinach
collard greens
white beans
kale
okra
calcium-fortified orange juice
almond milk
calcium-fortified cereals
Vitamin D is found in these low-iodine foods:
vitamin D-fortified orange juice
vitamin D-fortified cereals
beef liver
mushrooms
fatty fish
Healthy fats
Fats that are from whole foods and largely unprocessed may help reduce inflammation. This helps to protect thyroid health and balance thyroid hormones. Nondairy fats are important in a low-iodine diet. These include:
flaxseed oil
olive oil
avocado oil
coconut oil
sunflower oil
safflower oil
avocado
unsalted nuts and seeds
Spices
Some spices and herbs have anti-inflammatory properties to help protect and balance thyroid function. Add flavor and a dose of antioxidants to your daily meals with:
turmeric
green chilies
black pepper
Foods to avoid if you have hyperthyroidism
Excess iodine
Eating too many iodine-rich or iodine-fortified foods may lead to hyperthyroidism or worsen it in some cases.
A teaspoon of iodized salt gives you 284 micrograms of iodine. Seafood has the most iodine. Just 1 gram of seaweed contains 2 milligrams (mg) of iodine. The recommend dose of iodine is about 1.1 mg per day. A low-iodine diet requires even less.
Avoid the following seafood and seafood additives:
fish
seaweed
prawns
crabs
lobster
sushi
carrageen
agar-agar
algae
alginate
nori
kelp
Avoid other foods high in iodine such as:
milk and dairy
cheese
egg yolks
iodized salt
iodized water
some food colorings
Some medications also contain iodine. These include:
amiodarone (Nexterone)
cough syrups
medical contrast dyes
herbal or vitamin supplements
Nitrates
Chemicals called nitrates may causeTrusted Source your thyroid to absorb too much iodine. This can lead to an enlarged thyroid and hyperthyroidism.
Nitrates are found naturally in some foods. Processed foods may contain added nitrates. They may also be found in drinking water. Avoid or limit foods such as:
processed meats (sausage, bacon, salami, pepperoni)
celery
lettuce
beets
spinach
parsley
leeks
endive
cabbage
fennel
dill
turnip
carrots
cucumber
pumpkin
Gluten