Hypothyroidism Diet

Hypothyroidism is a health condition in which the thyroid gland fails to make enough hormones that are needed to regulate the metabolism. Some of the common symptoms of hypothyroidism include dry and scaly skin, lethargy, intolerance to cold, and weight gain. Of all the symptoms of hypothyroidism, weight gain is what stands more prominent and a cause for concern among patients. Diet therapy is what in such a case, used to help the body get back to shape and restore the hormone levels.

As you begin your medication regimen, your symptoms will not disappear overnight, but take several weeks to months. Your diet is important because it is that which will help you restore the thyroid hormones. Make sure that you give special importance to foods rich in B vitamins, such as brown rice, whole-wheat pasts, bananas, turkey/chicken, spinach and baked potatoes, etc. B vitamins help in using the food to make energy.

Fibre and Constipation

Fibre provides bulk to one's diet and helps regulate the bowel function. Hypothyroidism may lead to constipation. Try to make your diet a fibrous one by focusing on insoluble fibre because this type of type takes time to be digested by human beings and therefore, will help smoothen the bowel movements. Add lots of green leafy vegetables, green beans, carrots, asparagus, radishes and other non starchy vegetables to improve your symptoms. Also, increase water intake if you are taking insoluble fibre because the latter pulls more water into the colon.

Time certain Foods

Certain foods must be avoided for at least up to 2 hours once you have taken your medication. Such foods include broccoli, cabbage, pine nuts, spinach, cauliflower, iodine, flaxseed, soy foods, etc. These must be timed for they stop the medication from working completely.

Supplements

Make sure that you avoid medication or supplements that contain calcium or iron at least for up to four hours post medication to make sure that these don't interfere with the absorption of medication.

Getting rid of unwanted weight gain

Hypothyroidism has the potential to leave a person sluggish and hungry for energy. To counter this lag, you may be relying on high-calorie foods. On the other hand, you also want to lose weight. To make sure that you give yourself a steady flow of energy, limit your portion sizes of brown rice, whole grain breads, brown rice, etc to 1 cup or 1 slice.