4 Foods to Include in Your Diet If You Suffer From an underactive thyroid

Hey there!

Struggling with an underactive thyroid or Hashimoto’s autoimmune disease? You know, switching up your diet can play a huge part in how you feel. Alongside treatment and lifestyle tweaks, the foods you eat can really help to reduce your symptoms and better manage your health!

Ready to make some tasty changes that may also help you improve an underactive thyroid? 

Here are four amazing foods to include often if you're tackling Hashimoto’s or an underactive thyroid.

1. Brazil nuts

Why It’s Good:
Brazil nuts contain a good amount of the micronutrient selenium.  Selenium is super important for thyroid function as it is required for the conversion of T4 inactive thyroid hormone to T3 bio-active hormone.  Selenium also acts as an antioxidant, protecting the thyroid against toxins and oxidative damage.  This is perfect for helping to ease an underactive thyroid as oxidative damage is one of the largest disruptors to thyroid health I see.

Try This:
Selenium content of Brazil nuts can vary, however tossing a few or adding a paste into your morning smoothie can be an easy way improve your intake.  Or add them to your lunchtime salad.. Super easy! 

2. Grass-fed beef or pumpkin seeds

Why It Rocks:
Loaded with immune modulating and blood sugar controlling nutrients, beef and pumpkin seeds contain some of the highest amounts of zinc in the diet.  Zinc helps to modulate potential antibodies to the thyroid, support hair growth when it may be thinning and again also improve T4 to active T3 thyroid hormone conversion.  

Try This:
You can meal prep beef into a hearty stew or taco bowls for lunch.  Throw pumpkin seeds in your salads or in a trail mix for snacking.  Simple and delicious! 

3. Salmon or organic eggs

Why You Want It:
Including salmon in your diet is a great way to supply essential fatty acids.  EFA’s are anti-inflammatory, blood sugar regulating and hormone balancing, particularly important for an underactive thyroid.  They also help to repair a damaged gut lining as well as support improved mental health.  There are plenty of plant sources of EFAs too such as avocado, nuts and seeds, edamame and kidney beans.

Try This:
If you're new to regularly including nuts and seeds in your daily diet, start by mixing it into overnight gluten free oats or a chia pudding.  Sprinkle them into a salad or use as nut butters for homemade treats or smoothies. Get creative! 

4. Plant protein

Why You Need It:
Plant protein is super powerful for regulating blood sugar control which is another one of the largest causes I see of thyroid dysfunction.  Poor blood sugar control is inflammatory and wreaks havoc on a dysregulated immune system, stressed adrenals and poor mental health. 

Try This:
Try making a plant protein smoothie for your first meal of the day or adding it to homemade treats and protein balls.

Healing an underactive thyroid means looking at the big picture, and your diet is a huge part of that picture. By adding some brazil nuts, Grass-fed beef or pumpkin seeds, salmon, and plant protein to your daily meals, you're not just eating better; you're living better. Start experimenting to discover tasty, healthful ways to enjoy these foods every day.

Got questions or need personalised advice or meal planning to help with your diet? Feel free to reach out and follow me for more handy tips and tricks.