10 Foods To Avoid If You Have Hashimoto's & 10 Best Foods To Eat
If you've got Hashimoto's disease, there's a lot to your diet that you may have to fix. Some foods can worsen your symptoms while others can help you manage it better. So to help you get a better idea of what you should or shouldn't include in your daily diet, here are 10 foods to avoid if you have Hashimoto's and 10 of the best foods you should be eating.
1. Gluten
Gluten is typically found in many grains such as wheat, barley, or rye, which means it's sadly in many foods you eat on the regular. Yes, it's in your beloved bread. If you have Hashimoto's disease, it's important that you consider avoiding it altogether, or at least reducing your intake, because gluten might trigger inflammation and worsen Hashimoto's symptoms.
2. Soy
It's typically advised that patients with Hashimoto's disease should be wary of soy products, or at least avoid consuming them in large amounts. These foods contain compounds that might interfere with thyroid production and absorption, leading to worsened symptoms as a result.
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3. Cruciferous Vegetables (in Excess)
There are two important things to consider when eating cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage if you have Hashimoto's disease: how much you're eating and how you're preparing it. It's all in the cooking process - cooking these vegetables thoroughly can help break down the compound found in them that is what might affect your condition. Avoid eating them raw!
4. Sugars and Refined Carbohydrates
We know this will disappoint all our big sweet lovers, but if you have Hashimoto's disease, it's of utmost importance that you manage your intake of sugars. Yes, that chocolate cake or creamy pudding might be delicious in the moment, but it's not worth the result of increasing inflammation in your body and disrupting insulin levels. Negatively affecting both these factors only leads to negative impacts on your thyroid function, worsening your condition.
5. Fried Foods
Fried foods have never been known to be good for you, and with all those unhealthy fats causing problems for your body like contributing to inflammation and obesity, it's a definite must-avoid if you have Hashimoto's. Eating too much of these kinds of foods will only make it harder to manage the symptoms and condition of your thyroid.
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6. Fatty Foods
Similar to fried foods, it's never good to have a diet mainly consisting of foods high in saturated and trans fats. All it does is increase your risk of many diseases, including negatively impacting your body's ability to absorb and produce certain thyroid hormones which is bad news if you have Hashimoto's disease.
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7. Processed Foods
We know some of your favourite foods might be processed, but just because it tastes delicious doesn't mean it's good for your body. Containing plenty of unhealthy fats, additives, and sugars that are bad for your health in a number of ways, one thing to point out here is that they can also increase inflammation and disrupt hormonal balance. In other words, eating too much processed foods can worsen Hashimoto's symptoms.
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8. Alcohol
Although many people treat alcohol as a stress reliever, we urge you to manage your intake for your health, especially if you have Hashimoto's. Interfering with your thyroid's hormone levels, there can be a lot of negative effects as a result of drinking alcohol, not to mention it can make you more prone to potential flare-ups.
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9. Coffee and Caffeine
For coffee and caffeinated drinks, it's not so much that you can't have any, it's more so that the timing of when you drink them is important. Caffeine can create problems by disrupting the absorption of thyroid medications, so it's crucial that you don't drink any caffeinated beverages around the time you're about to take your medicine. It's definitely something to note down!
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10. Aspartame
An artificial sweetener that is commonly found in many diet sodas and "sugar-free" products, aspartame is definitely something people with Hashimoto's should avoid. You should do everything you can to ensure you're eating a healthy diet that benefits your body, and eating foods that reduce the potential for inflammation, not increase it.
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1. Fish Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Good news! For all the seafood lovers out there who also have Hashimoto's, turns out fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines are great foods to add to your diet. As fantastic sources of omega-3 fatty acids, these fish have amazing anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial for managing autoimmune conditions.
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2. Seaweed
As one of the best natural sources of iodine there is out there to offer, seaweed is often recommended for patients with Hashimoto's. Moderation is incredibly important here though - excessive iodine intake can be harmful. However, if you eat seaweed in moderation, it's been noted for being a thyroid-supportive food that can help with functioning.
3. Whole Grains
One of the best ways to treat Hashimoto's is to eat foods that improve your overall health and immune system. After all, having a healthy body can help make you feel good all around. That's why whole grains are such a good food group to add to your diet. Quinoa, brown rice, and oatmeal are all rich in nutrients and fiber which all help to manage your symptoms.
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4. Fresh Fruits
It's not just about the veggies, make sure you're eating enough fruit too! From berries to apples, oranges, and pears, fresh fruits can do wonders for your body. High in antioxidants and important vitamins that help support your immune system, it's one easy way to help combat autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto's.
5. Vegetables
Let's be clear that we're talking about non-cruciferous vegetables of course! There's a reason why your parents always tried to get you to eat your vegetables - they're loaded in vitamins and minerals that are necessary for maintaining your body's overall health. Everything from bell peppers to carrots and spinach can be great for reducing inflammation, meaning it's recommended for Hashimoto's patients.
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6. Lean Proteins
Skip the fatty meats and go for the lean protein sources. Chicken and turkey are your go to meats if you want to improve your condition. It's all about eating foods that create an anti-inflammatory diet.
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7. Nuts and Seeds
For a healthy snack, consider munching on some nuts and seeds if you have Hashimoto's disease. From almonds to cashews to pumpkin seeds, these little bite-sized goodies contain loads of fiber, protein, and healthy fats that are helpful in combating the disease. Not to mention, some nuts contain a nutrient called selenium, which has been noted as a helpful supplement.
8. Turmeric
Known for being an anti-inflammatory superstar, it's no surprise that turmeric is an amazing ingredient that can help with Hashimoto's disease. Adding turmeric to one's diet has always been appreciated for all the amazing positive effects it can have against autoimmune conditions.
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9. Olive Oil
Helping to protect your cells, reduce inflammation, and providing your body with healthy fats, olive oil is a surprising addition to this list. It's a heart-healthy fat that can do a great deal for your thyroid health. Because it's used regularly for cooking and in dressings, making this choice can be a small but drastic improvement in managing your Hashimoto's symptoms.
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10. Avocado
Not only helping with thyroid health, avocados are a superstar food that is known for helping in many different areas of the body to support overall wellness. This healthy fat fruit is beloved by everyone. It's creamy texture not only makes it delicious to eat, but you'll feel all the better knowing it's helping your heart and reducing inflammation within the body.
