Have you recently been diagnosed with hypothyroidism? No worries! You are not alone, there are a lot of people who are fighting the same. We are here to help you to ease the symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the body is unable to produce enough thyroid hormones. With hypothyroidism you may experience weight gain, hair loss, feeling cold, tiredness and other symptoms.
However, a combination of the right food or nutrition and medication can help to minimize symptoms. Check our complete guide on hypothyroidism.
What is Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism Symptoms
- Feeling tired
- Sudden weight gain
- Low body temperature
- Low haemoglobin level
- Confusion or brain fog
- Irregular periods in women
- Unable to tolerate cold weather
- Hair loss
- Muscle cramping
- Constipation
- Slower heart rate
- Dry skin and hair
Hypothyroidism causes
There are a number of factors that can cause hypothyroidism. These causes include:-
- The most common cause is Hashimoto's thyroiditis. It is an autoimmune disease in which your body's immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid gland.
- Iodine deficiency is another factor that can contribute to hypothyroidism.
- Genetic condition ( Anyone in your family having thyroid)
- Lack of functioning of pituitary gland.
- Thyroiditis, a condition in which thyroid hormones directly leak into your bloodstream.
- As a result of side effects from some medicines like interferon alpha, tyrosine kinase inhibitors hypothyroidism can be caused.
In what way diet affect hypothyroidism
It is not sure that changing the diet can cure hypothyroidism, but significantly the diet plays three major roles in managing the symptoms:
- Foods that contain specific nutrients, such as iodine, zinc, and selenium, can help in healthy thyroid function.
- Some foods may have a negative impact on thyroid function and can increase complexity of hypothyroidism.
- Some foods and supplements can interfere with thyroid functioning, so limiting these foods can also be beneficial for you.
Hypothyroidism can cause excessive weight gain because it slows down the metabolism. Having a healthy diet can help you to manage weight and increase your energy level.
Most important food to include in your thyroid diet
Food that contains iodine, zinc and selenium are most beneficial for a thyroid patient. You should include such food items that contain these nutrients.
There are plenty of food options if you have hypothyroidism, including:
If you have hypothyroidism you should eat a diet based on vegetables, fruits, and lean meats. These are low in calories thus, help in preventing weight gain.
Harmful food that you should avoid in thyroid diet
foods that contain goitrogens should be avoided in your thyroid diet. You should avoid eating highly processed foods, as they mostly contain a large amount of calories. This can cause issues if you have hypothyroidism, as you may gain weight easily.
Here is a list of foods you should avoid from your thyroid diet:-
Tips for weight loss in hypothyroidism
If you have hypothyroidism then it’s very easy to gain weight because of a slow metabolism. Here are some tips to help you maintain a healthy weight:-
How to get personalized diet for hypothyroidism:-
When you are suffering from hypothyroidism don’t try to plan your diet alone. In order to get the right diet you need expert advice who can suggest the correct diet to cope with your symptoms. Start with a visit to a dietitian who can help you identify which food is best for you. A dietitian can help you develop a personalized diet that is thyroid friendly, and help in minimising symptoms of hypothyroidism.