What are the best natural foods for thyroid? And what to avoid!
You are what you eat. And more importantly, what you can digest. The 21st century has brough us unprecedented levels of information, quick access and connects us globally. But it has disconnected us from good health. In a world of excess, we have lost access to the simple things like clean air, water, organic food and time with nature.
This has led to a rise in diseases like thyroid imbalances, diabetes, heart & cholesterol issues and obesity. Coupled with genetic patterns, our environment and most importantly- our cravings for fast food and sugar, our irregular lifestyle has thrown the hormones, gut and body out of whack.
Sciences like Naturopathy, Ayurveda and Nutrition believe that food has the power to heal these issues from the root cause by rebuilding our body’s vitality. By consuming millets, fermented foods, protein rich lentils and fibre, you can make your diet more holistic and nutritious. Thyroid patients should avoid food that is deep fried, contains high amounts of sugar, salt or unhealthy fats. They should avoid excess of iodine supplements, caffeine, processed meat and alcohol. Some studies say that soy and vegetables like broccoli and kale are not recommended for thyroid.
At Anahata, we have followed this tradition to curate a blend of kitchen staples that are organic, therapeutic and formulated to give you long term health. These ingredients are grown in pesticide free farms, sun-dried and blended to give you the right nutrition.
THYRO BALANCE
As the name suggests, this grain, pulses & flour mix is ideal for bringing the thyroxine hormone in balance.
GRAIN MIX:
The grain mix is made of quinoa which is rich in fibre & a good source of energy that is easy on the gut. Quinoa reduces inflammation in the body and is full of healthy minerals like riboflavin, magnesium and phosphorous. Brown Rice: Made with complex carbs that are filled with nutrients and energy, brown rice is a whole grain that is beneficial for thyroid health, Oats: Great for managing fatigue, regulating sugar levels and hormone balancing properties, oats are essential for good gut health, Whole Buckwheat: Rich in zinc, which supports the production of thyroxine, buckwheat is specially recommended for thyroid imbalances.
PULSES MIX:
A high protein blend that contains a variety of Indian pulses with high zinc, fiber and thyroid balancing nutrients. Masoor Dal: This Indian lentil is great for hypothyroidism since upping your legume intake is good for thyroid., Rajma: A good source of protein & fibre, Rajma in moderate quantity is recommended, Desi Black Chana: With a low glycemic index, this ingredient is rich in protein and fibre. It is a superfood that is rich in minerals for a hormone balancing diet. Split Moong Dal: A food rich is potassium, iron and protein, moong dal is great for a hypothyroid meal plan.
FLOUR MIX:
The perfect flour to make rotis, parathas and bread that is thyroid friendly. It contains unique flours that support thyroid function & manage weight. Coconut: A great food to improve metabolism, coconut is a healthy fat that is good for thyroid. Quinoa: Rich in fibre, quinoa is a high source of energy that is easy on the gut. Quinoa reduces inflammation in the body and is full of healthy minerals., Oats: Great for managing fatigue, regulating sugar levels and hormone balancing properties, oats are essential for good gut health., Jackfruit: A great fruit for maintaining a good metabolic rate, jackfruit is packed with minerals. It is great to regulate thyroid hormone production and management.
How to consume these?
Just like you make your regular dal, rice and roti! Just switch these mixes for the ones you are currently using. Start using them 2 times a week and gradually increase. This will help you notice the difference in your body when you consume Thyro Balance vs normal foods. Ideally you should start feeling light, the gut & digestion starts to improve and within 4-5 months you can check your thyroid levels. These food are supplemental to the medication you are taking and you can consult your doctor if you feel like! They will help you correct the thyroid imbalance through food and other lifestyle changes recommended for thyroid.
It is absolutely possible to reduce risk of thyroid imbalance by correcting your lifestyle and making it better suit for hormonal health. Factors like diet, stress, sleep, smoking and exercise will influence thyroid balance in the body. If you are dealing with any other concerns like heart health, overweight & obesity or diabetes, checkout our Food section for dietary mixes and nutrition recommendations!