All about Hypothyroidism (Part 8): Diet & Lifestyle advice for Hypothyroidism

The existence of a complex link between thyroid disorders, body weight, and metabolism has long been recognised. Hypothyroidism slows the metabolism. The calorie intake must be regulated accordingly keeping in mind the nutrition requirement of the body. Exercise is one of the most important things you can do to boost your metabolism. Since fatigue is common in patients with hypothyroidism, exercise may seem like a daunting task and thereby making weight loss difficult.

A healthy and thyroid friendly diet along with regular exercise of mild to moderate intensity will help weight loss in Hypothyroidism. Aim for 45-60 minutes of exercise for 5-6 days a week.

What is the Diet for Hypothyroidism?

What are the foods to avoid in Hypothyroidism?

• Cabbage, cauliflower, knol khol, broccoli, radish, mushroom, pearl millet, horse gram, spinach.

• Reduce intake of starchy food like potato and other tubers and refined flours like maida, besan.

• Avoid Indo Chinese foods.

• High salty foods like pickles and packaged foods with preservatives.

• Reduce intake of coffee and tea and do not consume them on empty stomach.

What is the recommended diet for Hypothyroidism?

• The first principle to consider when choosing a diet for hypothyroidism is to consider light and easily digestible foods.

• Meals on time and early dinner are beneficial.

• Fresh and light food should be consumed.

• Vegetables growing on creepers like ash gourd, snake gourd, ridge gourd, bottle gourd, little gourd and cucumber, okra, beans are light to digest. Creeper vegetables have slight tikta rasa (bitters) and are healing in nature.

• Green gram freshly cooked non spicy food, plenty of boiled and cooled water.

• Nuts: Soaked almonds, walnuts, apricots, black raisins, fresh/dry dates can be eaten in small quantities.

• Buttermilk and cow’s ghee is better than milk and other milk products but the source should be from grass fed cow’s milk.

• Use unpolished brown or red rice, instead of polished white rice. Cooking rice with draining method in an open pot with plenty of water helps to reduce the starch content.

• Fresh ginger, Cumin seeds, dhaniya, curry leaves, coriander leaves and small amounts of ajwain, saunf can be used in cooking food.

• Apple cider vinegar is considered useful in hypothyroidism as it is seen to boost metabolism.

• Keeping yourself hydrated is very important. Drink adequate water throughout the day. 40 ml water per kg body weight is recommended.