Thyroid Diet Eating Plan and Tips

A thyroid diet entails eating good sources of lean protein, such as fish, white meat poultry, legumes, egg whites, and lean cuts of beef. An adequate intake of protein will also prevent the hair loss that often accompanies an under active thyroid condition.

Eat 6 small meals each day instead of three heavy meals. Control your portion sizes. A good way to do this is to use a smaller plate during meals. A smaller plate means smaller portions. A glass of water before meals will lead you to eat smaller amounts of food because you will feel full.

Include carbohydrates in your diet. Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the body. Carbohydrates come from the plant-based foods and are part a balanced diet.

Drink lots of water. It is recommended that you drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water a day. This helps to keep you hydrated, and aids in flushing impurities from your system.

Diet for Hypothyroidism:

There is no one diet that is right for everyone. As a matter of fact, doctors recommend avoiding the foods that could have a negative impact on your hormone medications.

Foods to avoid:

• Foods high in salt, such a potato chips, and processed food such as canned soups. Homemade soups are better for you.


• Iron and calcium supplements and vitamins high in iron. Iron can cause constipation and cause stools to be black and tar-like.


• Ulcer medications, antacids, and some cholesterol-lowering drugs may also inhibit the absorption of synthetic hormones.

You can lower your cholesterol by adding more fiber to your diet. Cholesterol is excreted in the feces. Therefore, regular daily bowel movements help to decrease blood cholesterol levels.

If you are taking any dietary supplements that your doctor has not prescribed, your thyroid medication comes first, preferably in the morning. I do not think it is wise to hold off taking your prescribed thyroid medication in order to ingest dietary supplements, as was suggested in some places I checked. Take your thyroid meds on an empty stomach in the morning, or as your doctor prescribes. In addition to this, make it your business to take them at the same time everyday. This is your health we are talking about here.

If it is antacids you are taking, why not avoid the foods that cause an increase in stomach acid production in the first place, such as foods that are spicy or fried? Wait until later in the day to take anything that may interact with your thyroid medications, and make sure your doctor knows you are taking other nonprescribed meds.

Instead of the latest fad diet, look for foods that are high in fiber. Your doctor is the best source to help you plan a diet that has the right amount of proteins, fats, and minerals to compensate for your underactive thyroid.
Most importantly, eat in moderation. This piece of advice can work for anyone whether you have a functioning thyroid gland or not. Eating a healthy diet, getting adequate exercise, watching your salt intake to prevent water retention, and taking your medications as prescribed are some of the best things you can do for your body and for your health.

Thyroid recipes: While researching for this lesson, I ran into myriads of different diets, recipes, and books. To be honest with you, just eat a healthy diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and cereals, lean meats, fish, some seafoods, and poultry. If you have an allergy to certain foods, for heaven's sake don't eat them! If certain foods inhibit absorption of your medications, eat these foods 6 hours after taking your meds or don't eat them at all. Remember, your meds come FIRST, not hours after taking some dietary supplement or another just to keep them from interacting with thyroid medications.

Just be sensible about what you put into your body. Your health depends on it.

by Barb Hicks, RN/LMT