4 Food Habits That Improve Thyroid Health

Are you concerned about the health of your thyroid? Then you have probably already realized that dietary habits are one of the keys to directing its functioning.

But maybe you still don’t realize what you should and shouldn’t eat. Then read on because in this article we will tell you.

Why is it so important to take care of your thyroid health?

The thyroid is a gland located in the neck, near the windpipe. Its main function is the production of hormones.

But sometimes there is a disturbance of the balance in the thyroid gland. You can then develop hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. This depends on whether the thyroid gland works faster or slower.

Habits That Will Improve Your Thyroid Health

It doesn’t have to be complicated to ensure good thyroid health. This is possible if you continue to follow a healthy and balanced diet. But nowadays the problem is that eating natural food is much more difficult. That’s because there are a lot of processed products available.

Still, there are certain foods that you should always include in your diet.

Here we give you an overview of some of these types of food.

1. Add an iodine supplement to your diet

Iodine is an indispensable element for the body. This is especially true with regard to the development of your hormones.

Therefore, an iodine deficiency during pregnancy can lead to mental development problems in the baby.

Throughout your life, you must ensure that there is sufficient iodine in your diet. Because this ensures that the thyroid gland continues to work properly. Often your doctor will prescribe an iodine supplement.

If you haven’t started taking this supplement yet, this might be a good reminder that sometimes it’s the best choice.

2. Eat cranberries every week

Cranberries are one of the best fruits available in nature. They are low in fat, sodium and cholesterol. In addition, they contain a very high level of iodine (100 grams contains four hundred micrograms of iodine), fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins C and K.

A good choice is to use cranberry juice in your smoothies. This will also give a nice flavor to those vegetables that you may not like.

The following recipe is easy to make:

Ingredients

• 1 cup baby spinach (60 g)
• 1 cup cranberry juice (250 ml)

• 5 notes
• 1 ice cube

Preparation

• Mix all ingredients in the blender. Then drink it immediately.

3. Add potatoes to your diet

This root vegetable originates from the American continent. It provides sixty micrograms of iodine per serving. But to really reap the benefits, make sure you prepare it properly.

Try the following methods:

• Lean: it is best to bake potatoes in the oven instead of frying them. To add some flavor you can use a little salt in moderation.
• In combination with vegetables: this way of cooking adds fiber and helps you feel full.

But don’t overdo it. Because potatoes contain a lot of carbohydrates. So eat a maximum of 3 medium-sized potatoes per day.

One thing to avoid is large amounts of processed potatoes. They are very high in trans fats, salt and other preservatives. These ingredients can negatively affect the health of your thyroid.

4. Eat as naturally as possible

Be honest. How many processed products, frozen products or canned food do you eat per day? Take a look in your pantry. You may be surprised to find that a large majority meet one of these three criteria.

Your thyroid health has a lot to do with hormones. That is why it is important that you keep your body as free as possible from foods that can alter hormones. We are talking here about chemicals, sweeteners, preservatives and so on.

The ideal way is to eat fresh and seasonal products.

We suggest that you try a small test for several months. You will see that it is not that complicated. All you have to do is this:

• Swap processed cereals for natural ones. In most stores you will find natural versions of oatmeal, wheat, amaranth and quinoa, among other things. The advantage of these grains is that they are also cheaper.

• Eat seasonal fruits and vegetables. They are fresh and ready to eat. The chance is therefore smaller that they have been frozen first. Because this affects their nutritious content.
• If you can, try starting your own garden at home.
• Prepare the food you like at home. Yogurt and drinks are two great examples of products that you can easily prepare at home. You can also replace soft drinks with tea or water with flavors that you make yourself.
• Prepare your own snacks to satisfy your hunger pangs between meals.  From homemade ice cream to a handful of seeds, you’ll always have some options to satiate your urge to eat without worrying about chemicals that can alter the health of your thyroid.

What do you think? Are you already following these tips? If not yet, now might be the time. Remember, you can easily manage your thyroid health by making the right changes.