Thyroid Diet Menu

A thyroid diet plan is essential in managing the problems associated with the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is a tiny butterfly shaped gland in the human body but it plays a very important role. It is responsible for the body’s energy levels, the body’s metabolism, texture of the skin and also reducing the risk of high blood pressure, obesity, dementia, heart disease, exhaustion and so on. The thyroid is sensitive to many factors and one of these is diet. A thyroid diet plan is a must if this gland is to produce the right hormones.

There are two kinds of thyroid problems - hypothyroidism where the gland is underactive and hyperthyroidism where the gland is over active.

A thyroid food list should comprise of the foods which are listed below:-

• Calcium: An overactive thyroid gland can rob the body of calcium; therefore it is necessary to have a diet that is rich in calcium. Recommended foods are tofu, salmon, pak Choy and soybeans.
• Vitamin A: This vitamin helps to maintain normal glandular function. Foods which are rich in Vitamin A are eggs, spinach, parsley, carrots, chlorella and watercress.
• Iodine: Iodine is required to make the thyroid hormones. A deficiency of iodine will make the thyroid gland produce insufficient amounts of this hormone. To avoid this eat tuna, clams, seaweed and oyster.
• Essential fatty acids and Omega Oils, 3 and 6: Foods like halibut, salmon and mackerel are good sources of this and help to improve brain function.

A healthy thyroid diet should be one that contains foods like:-

• Beef, oatmeal, chicken, almonds, and seafood – these are rich in zinc and copper and help the body to make the thyroid hormones.
• Liver and nuts are an important source of selenium which helps to slow down thyroid disease.
• Bell peppers, kiwi, lemons and oranges are important sources of vitamin C which helps with normal adrenal and glandular function.
• Sunflower seeds, duck, lamb, sweet potatoes and avocado: these are rich in Vitamin B complex.