4 Ways to Support Thyroid Health

Feeling exhausted?

Feeling puffy - can’t lose weight? 

Feeling irregular?

Your doc has diagnosed it as thyroid dysfunction. You may have left the office with a prescription for life. 

In our modern day world of fast food and multi-tasking, more women are plagued with hormone imbalances and autoimmune conditions due to the external stressors of chemicals, poor food, high stress, and toxic bugs. 

The gut and thyroid have a direct connection. A healthy gut microbiota not only has beneficial effects on the activity of the immune system, but also on thyroid function. (1) 

So when a client comes to me with a thyroid condition we talk a lot about reviving the gut microbiota with a 5-step holistic approach.

One of the 5-steps is diet. Here are 4 ways you can support the thyroid through diet. 

CARBS -> CHOOSE THE RIGHT TYPE AND AMOUNT 

When it comes to thyroid health, certain carbs can be “bad.” Balancing your intake is important as overindulging can cause havoc. Experiment with a carb macro mix of 20–25% of your diet. When consuming carbs focus on whole foods (fruits, veggies, and gluten free whole grains). 

EAT A DIET RICH IN MINERALS

The thyroid is dependent on iodine and selenium. Ask your doctor or a functional diagnostic practitioner to test for iodine and selenium levels. If you are deficient try supplementing through your diet. Iodine is found in sea vegetables and wild-caught fish. Selenium can be obtained through Brazil nuts (no more than 2 per day), mushrooms, chia seeds, and organic red meat.

SUPPORT THE GUT WITH FERMENTED FOODS

Fermented foods support gut health, and gut health supports thyroid health. Try adding a tablespoon of raw fermented sauerkraut or kimchi each day. Kombucha and kefir are fermented beverages loaded with healthy bacteria which support gut health.

LOAD UP ON FRESH VEGETABLES

Vegetables are nutritious but if you have a thyroid condition you should know that cruciferous vegetables are considered goitrogens. Eating an abundance of raw cruciferous vegetables may cause additional thyroid disruptions but, as long as a person’s iodine levels are adequate, he or she should be fine to eat these in moderation. (2) 

For thyroid health, try eating these foods cooked or fermented. Cruciferous vegetables include bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, and kale.

If you’re serious about feeling good and losing stubborn weight, discover your hidden stressors with diagnostic tests. Removing the hidden stressors will help you break free from the vicious yo-yo weight loss cycle. 

Schedule a Break thru the Gut Rut strategy call with me today to start understanding your reactive foods and how to balance your system to start feeling good. Schedule your session here-> BREAK THRU

Be Gutsy as a Mother,

-Mary