Eight Foods To Avoid If You Have Thyroid Problems

Thyroid problems are becoming increasingly prevalent. 

At the front of your neck sits a 2-inch butterfly-shaped organ called the “thyroid gland”.

This small gland is a major player in your endocrine system and affects almost all your other organs.

It’s responsible for brain development, blood calcium levels, cholesterol levels, the heart and nervous system, menstrual cycles, regulating fat and carbohydrate metabolism, respiration, body temperature, skin integrity, and much more. 

Thyroid problems can come in one of two forms: Hypothyroidism (underactive) or Hyperthyroidism (overactive) [1,2].

Hypothyroidism is more common and is usually caused by an autoimmune response in your body. This autoimmune response prevents your thyroid gland from releasing enough T3 and T4 hormones which your body needs to function properly. This leads to fatigue, difficulty concentrating, dry skin and hair, and weight gain as your metabolism slows down. 

In fact, many people with thyroid problems experience chronic fatigue. If that sounds like you, here are 12 Tips To Efficiently Treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms.

Hyperthyroidism also stems from an autoimmune response but does the exact opposite. The autoimmune response instead triggers the thyroid gland to release too much T3 and T4 hormones. This leads to a rapid heartbeat, diarrhea, high blood pressure, and weight loss. 

Both diseases are referred to as ATD (autoimmune thyroid disease). ATD is strongly linked to other autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, type 1 diabetes, and lupus.

Ease Symptoms Of Thyroid Problems By Avoiding These Foods

Unfortunately, changing your diet will neither prevent nor cure ATD. What it can do is help ease your current symptoms. Avoiding these foods also ensures you get the full effect of your treatment for thyroid problems. 

1. Sugar: Cake, Chocolate, Cookies, etc.

Avoid sugar as much as possible if you’re suffering from either of the two ATDs.

Hypothyroidism causes weight gain because it slows down your metabolism. This problem will only be aggravated by food with excess amounts of sugar. 

In the case of hyperthyroidism, sugar causes your blood sugar levels to spike. Sugar has also been linked to heart palpitations in patients. 

This is why sugar intake should be minimized or even eliminated while recovering from ATD.

When we say “sugar”, this means sugar from all sources. This not only includes the usual culprits like sweets, cake, chocolate, and cookies, but also high-sugar fruits like bananas, peaches, pears, strawberries, and even sweet potatoes, and cassava. This is because these starchy foods turn into sugar once broken down by the body [3,4,5,6].

2. Fat: Red Meat, Butter, and Fried Food

You’ll have to lower or avoid fat intake entirely depending on your particular thyroid problems.

For hyperthyroidism, it’s only recommended to avoid unhealthy fats (trans fat and saturated fat). Doing so will help reduce inflammation.

Keep away from foods rich in trans or saturated fat like red meat, high-fat dairy products, crackers, cookies, cakes, pastries, french fries, and any food with hydrogenated vegetable oil as an ingredient 

For hypothyroidism, all fat intake should be reduced — yes, even healthy fat. A study has found that fat sabotages your body’s ability to absorb the thyroid hormone replacement medicines that you’re taking. Fats also disrupt your thyroid gland’s ability to produce hormones.

This is why it’s recommended to cut out all fried foods and reduce the intake of fats from other sources [7,8,9].

3. Caffeine: Coffee, Tea, and Other Drinks 

ATD patients have to watch caffeine intake for different reasons. 

For hypothyroidism, a study reveals that caffeine prevents the absorption of hormone replacement medication. It’s been found that people taking their medication with their morning coffee had strangely uncontrollable thyroid levels. 

If you really have to have that cup of joe, wait at least 30 minutes after taking your medication before having your coffee. 

For hyperthyroidism, you’ll need to avoid caffeine as it can affect mood balance, sleep, thyroid function, and thyroid medications.  

Watch out for all foods and drinks containing caffeine like coffee, tea, soft drinks, energy drinks, and dark chocolate [10,11,12]. 

4. Anything With Gluten: Grains, Bread, and Pasta

Watch gluten intake when you’re suffering from either of the two ATDs.

Gluten is a protein found in certain grains. It’s an allergen and can cause irritation and inflammation in the small intestine. 

For hypothyroidism, it’s also been found to interfere with the absorption of thyroid hormone replacement medication. 

Being an allergen, people with hyperthyroidism have to be doubly vigilant. Getting an allergic reaction like skin rashes, difficulty breathing, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea can aggravate your symptoms. 

Avoid foods made from barley, wheat, couscous, durum, einkorn, emmer, farina, faro, fu, gliadin, Kamut, matzo, semolina, spelt, bulgur, rye, seitan, triticale, mir, and oats that are processed in facilities where gluten-containing foods are processed. 

Gluten can also be present in broths, soba noodles, salad dressings, condiments, seasonings, and spice mixes so be aware before consuming any of these [13,14,15].  

If you suffer with allergies, you’ll enjoy these 8 Incredibly Simple Tips To Permanently Eliminate Allergies.

5. Processed Junk Food: Hotdogs, Chips, Chicken Nuggets, etc.

It’s recommended that processed junk foods be avoided if you’re suffering from either of the two ATDs, for different reasons. 

Processed junk foods are less nourishing and can contain ingredients that you can’t even pronounce. However, the main reason hypothyroidism patients should avoid processed junk foods is because these foods often come packed with lots of sodium (salt) which increases your risk for high blood pressure. 

Avoid foods like hotdogs, chips, chicken nuggets, and other foods that contain a lot of sodium.

For hyperthyroidism, processed junk food is avoided due to their tendency to be high on the glycemic scale. High-glycemic foods affect blood sugar levels and increase your risk for diabetes, which has been linked with ATDs. 

Watch out for processed grains, sweets, juices, low-fiber cereals, rice cakes, instant potatoes, and other foods with a high-glycemic value [16,17,18].

6. Alcohol: Beer, Wine, and Distilled Spirits

Avoid alcohol if you’re suffering from either of the two ATDs.

For hypothyroidism, consuming alcohol interferes with thyroid hormone levels as well as your thyroid’s ability to produce hormones. A study has found that alcohol has a detrimental effect on the thyroid gland and even suppresses its normal functions. 

For hyperthyroidism, alcohol should be avoided for the same reason as caffeine. Alcohol interferes with mood balance, sleep, thyroid function, and thyroid medications. Worse still, there are alcoholic mixers that contain a lot of sugar, which we already know should be avoided.  

This is why it’s recommended that those suffering from an ATD should minimize or ideally cut out alcohol consumption completely [19,20,21].  

7. Soy and Soy-based Food: Edamame, Miso, and Tofu

ATD sufferers should avoid soy and soy-based foods for differing reasons. 

While soy contains isoflavones that helps prevent cancer and aids cardiovascular health, some concerns have been raised over their effect on the thyroid. However, a recent study has shown that soy has no effect on thyroid hormones, and only very modestly raises thyroid-stimulating hormone levels.

So, why avoid soy if it’s healthy and has little to no effect on the thyroid? 

Because soy and soy-based foods sabotage your body’s ability to absorb thyroid medication — bad news if you’ve got hypothyroidism. Thankfully, you don’t need to avoid it completely, but, you’ll have to wait a few hours before taking your medication if you ate anything made from soy. 

For hyperthyroidism, the only reason to avoid soy is if you’re allergic to it. If you’ve never had soy or soy-based foods before, make sure you’re not allergic to them before eating them. As you know, an allergic reaction can increase inflammation. 

You’ll usually find soy in foods like tofu, tempeh, edamame beans, soy milk, miso, soy sauce, teriyaki, and many Asian dishes [22,23].

8. Other Allergens: Eggs, Nuts, Seafood, and Dairy

Avoiding all foods that you’re allergic to is crucial if you’re suffering from either of the two ATDs. 

Consuming allergenic foods will aggravate whatever symptoms you’re already suffering. Allergies can cause skin rashes, difficulty breathing, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea on top of the ATD symptoms you’re already experiencing.

If you’re unsure if you’re allergic to something or not, it’s recommended to just avoid it. 

Common allergenic foods include egg yolks, milk and dairy products, nuts, and seafood.

Cheese can not only cause allergies but they may also contain iodine, which you should avoid if you have hyperthyroidism [24,25]. 

Thyroid problems can be caused by an under-performing or over-performing thyroid gland. Both will require you to change your diet during treatment. You can lessen the impact of your symptoms and make treatment more efficient by avoiding these foods. 

Health by choice, not by chance.

By the way… 

Is your iodine in check?