Hypothyroidism is the condition or state when your thyroid gland does not produce some of the essential thyroid hormones, specifically triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). The condition is also known as the underactive thyroid problem. The primary task of thyroid hormones is to “run the body’s metabolism”. As a result, the people with hypothyroid problems are suffering from the slow metabolism, and people become fatty most of the time.

Hypothyroid problem is not preventable, but it is curable. You should consult the doctor regularly and take the right amount of medicine. In spite of taking supplements, one should also follow some rules to control thyroid problems such as quitting smoking, avoiding potassium, excessive salt, etc. If you are want to heal your thyroid problems naturally or want to control your thyroid gland, you should avoid the following foods. Most of these foods are rich in goitrogens which disturbs the production of thyroid hormones.

Foods to avoid in hypothyroid problems:

1. Vegetables:

• Cruciferous Vegetables like Arugula, Broccoli, Bok Choy, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collard Greens, Kale, Mustard Greens, Radishes, Turnips, Watercress, etc. These veggies are rich in goitrogens.

• Vegetables rich in thiocyanates such as bamboo shoots, cassava, corn, flax, Lima beans, sweet potato, etc.

2. Foods rich in Gluten:

• Try to avoid Grains and Starches like wheat, wheat germ, rye, barley, bulgur, graham flour, farina, etc. However, you may take gluten-free grains like brown rice, wild rice, rice cakes, rice noodles, rice crispies, buckwheat, amaranth, quinoa, oats, cereal, etc. You can also enjoy pasta and baked products made from these gluten-free grains.

3. Fruits:

• Peaches

• Pears

• Strawberries

4. Nuts and Beans:

• Soybeans

• Soy sauce

• Peanuts

• Linseed

• Pine Nuts

• Millet

5. Oils:

• Canola

• Soybean oil

• Flaxseed Oil

• Fish Oil

• Safflower Oil

• Corn Oil

• Vegetable Oil

• Seed Oils

6. Alcohol

7. Processed foods

8. Others: Raw onion, Parsley, Chamomile, etc.

The Reasons for avoiding these foods:

The above mention foods include goitrogens which are the chemical substances that can block your thyroid from producing essential thyroid hormones properly especially when taken raw.

• Avoid Goitrogen rich foods: Goitrogen rich foods prevent your body from absorbing iodine. It interrupts the functions of the thyroid gland and blocks the growth of thyroid hormones. All types of Cruciferous vegetables are rich in two different goitrogens: isothiocyanates and thiocyanates.

• Be aware of Soy Protein: Soy protein contains isoflavones which are the type of phytochemicals that can trigger thyroid antibodies. It creates an internal war of inflammation. Isoflavones also block iodine by triggering a goiter. Research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism reveals that isoflavones found in soy increase the hypothyroid problems. The study expresses that soy converts the patients from subclinical hypothyroidism to overt clinical hypothyroidism.

• Stay away from Gluten rich foods: Research reveals that 90% thyroid problems are autoimmune. The molecular structure of thyroid and gliadin, one of the proteins found in Gluten, is similar. As a result, when you eat foods rich in gliadin, your immune system mounts an attack from the protein. As thyroid has the similar molecular structure, your immune system starts to attack against your thyroid.

• Avoid Polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs): Polyunsaturated fats like flaxseed oil, canola, fish oil, etc hinder the proteolytic enzymes which is involved in the digestion of food. Apart from digesting foods, proteolytic enzymes take part in the removal of clots, in the formation of thyroid hormone, and many other essential psychological processes.

• Stop Drinking Alcohol: Alcohols like beer, wine and liquor contain phytoestrogenswhich promote the conversion of testosterone to estrogen through aromatization. Alcohols also reduce progesterone production while increasing prolactin.

• Avoid Processed foods and foods Containing sugar: Processed foods and foods containing sugar causes inflammation in your body and convert T4 to T3.

However, cooking, soaking, fermentation, or boiling goitrogen, cyanide and thiocyanate rich foods inactive their anti-thyroid properties. The researchers from the University of Maryland reported that cooking slightly decreases the thyroid effect of these vegetables. So, you may try cooked cabbage or try a baked strawberry pie or jam instead of raw fresh salad.

On the other hand, cooking does not destroy soy isoflavones. So, try to avoid soy foods such as soy oil, soy milk, soybean, etc. as much as possible from your diet.

Finally, it can be said that by avoiding these foods, you can minimize your risk. Remember, every time you eat, you are either feeding or fighting against your thyroid gland. As a result, it will be wise to avoid the foods that increase hypothyroid problems.