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If you are struggling with thyroid, we can completely understand. That’s because this condition can be tricky to manage, given that it is linked to a hormonal imbalance in the body. But balance is the key when it comes to the functioning of the thyroid gland.
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that is located on your neck on the front lower side. If there’s a thyroid disorder, it can be either because of the overactive or underactive functioning of the gland, thus resulting in the abnormal release of the thyroid hormones.
Dr Ritika Samaddar, regional head, department of clinical nutrition and dietetics, Max Hospitals, Saket, says, “Hypothyroidism is a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of the thyroid hormone, which leads to fatigue, weight gain, thinning of hair, slow heart rate and depression. Hypothyroidism can cause the body’s metabolism to slow down. With low BMR, one tends to put on weight easily, hence there is a need to monitor the diet of those who have thyroid issues.”
Yes, you read it right! Monitoring your diet if you have thyroid is essential, because it can help you manage a lot of complications associated with it. Have you ever thought of including fruits in your diet in order to maintain your thyroid?
Most people don’t really consider including fruits in their diet, because they are considered high in sugar. But each fruit comes with its own set of benefits as well. You just need to be a little more careful about the quantity you eat! And remember that moderation is the key to managing your diet and health.
Without further ado, let’s just see which fruits you can add to your thyroid diet.
1. Berries
Just like every other gland and organ in your body, your thyroid loves antioxidants. Antioxidants are great to keep your thyroid functioning smoothly. Guess what? Berries are a rich source of antioxidants. So, go ahead and add fresh fruits like blueberries, strawberries, and cranberries to your diet. Antioxidants are also beneficial, because they protect against free radicals, which can increase the risk of hypothyroidism, fatigue, and weight gain.
2. Apple
Apples are one of the most popular fruits worldwide. They have several health benefits, and contain vitamins, minerals, and poly nutrients. Apples can protect your thyroid gland from free radical damage and not just that, they may also lower your cholesterol, provide protection against diabetes, prevent obesity and heart disease, and also may be beneficial for bone health.
3. Avocado
Another fruit that is beneficial is avocado. It is packed with health benefits, and beneficial for thyroid health. That’s because it contains various nutrients like vitamin K, folate, vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, and vitamin E.
You must also avoid certain foods to help you manage the condition better.
Here are foods to avoid if you have thyroid
Dr Samaddar says certain foods do interact with thyroid medication. Hence, these need to be restricted, These include:
1. Soybean and its products. A study published in the journal Thyroid found that consumption of soy can interfere with the absorption of thyroid medication.
2. Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, kale etc, too much fat or fried foods also limit the absorption of the medications.
3. Coffee needs to be restricted, especially in the early mornings, if one has thyroid.
4. Avoid foods with excess amounts of sugar, because they contain a lot of calories with no nutrients, adding to weight gain.
5. Also avoid processed foods such as snacks, biscuits, and frozen foods that are generally high in sodium.
6. Ditch dairy products such as milk, cheese, paneer, curd, and butter, because they can alter the hormonal balance in your body.
The last word
Eating a healthy and balanced diet with an active lifestyle is important. Remember to include a good amount of exercise, reduce stress and get adequate sleep. All these put together will help in better management of the thyroid condition.
