Certain so-called “goitrogenic” foods will prevent the absorption of iodine and lead to hypertrophy of the thyroid and the appearance of goiter. List of those to limit and prioritize with Cindy Louvet, dietitian-nutritionist.
The power supply has a key role in the regulation of the thyroid, a gland located at the base of the neck which secretes hormones controlling many functions such as growth, hunger, reproduction, sleep, metabolism or heart rate. For it to be healthy, it needs a number of nutrients. “Without them, it cannot function properly and maywith other contributing factors, deregulate. A long-term iodine deficiency, for example, can promote the risk of hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland becomes hypoactive and this can lead to the appearance of a goitre (enlargement of the thyroid“, explains Cindy Louvet, dietitian-nutritionist in Paris. So what are the foods to limit ? Those to be preferred ? Can we drink coffee and tea? Answers.
List of foods to avoid when you have a thyroid problem
“Some foods called goitrogens are going prevent the absorption of iodine and lead to an enlarged thyroid and the appearance of goiter. We must limit their consumption if we do not have a good iodine intake (if our iodine level is a little low for example) or if we have hypothyroidism“, indicates Cindy Louvet. In this list, we find:
- Cabbage (cauliflower, kale, Chinese cabbage, broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts…)
- The almonds
- The radishes
- Turnip
- Sweet potato
- millet
- Watercress
- The mustard
- Peanuts (peanuts)
- Soy (tempeh, edamame, soy beans, soy yoghurt, vegetable steak, etc.), to be limited in the event of iodine deficiency or hypothyroidism.
- Garlic and onion“in excess can disrupt the functioning of the thyroid“
Industrial products, prepared meals and refined products are also to be avoided.
Which drinks are bad for the thyroid?
“There are drinks, aggressive for the thyroid that we will limit“, indicates the dietitian, as:
- Coffee
- Tea
- sodas
- Energy drinks
- The alcohol
What lifestyle and dietary advice for a healthy thyroid?
► Avoid fasting too often or not having enough to eat “When you don’t eat, the thyroid is impacted in its operation and there is a slowdown in metabolism. Thus, if you skip meals too often, the thyroid can go wrong.“, details the expert. We must banish restrictive or depriving diets over long periods.
► Limit your exposure to endocrine disruptors: endocrine disruptors are present in pesticides (prefer organic fruits and vegetables, organic herbal tea or tea bags), tupperware or plastic water bottles (prefer glass or stainless steel containers), cellophane cling film ( prefer fabric alternatives such as cotton dish covers coated (100% OEKO-TEX certified cotton) from the brand Wabi Paris which can be cleaned in the washing machine), cleaning products, cosmetics, detergent (prefer natural or labeled products), pans or saucepans with non-stick or Teflon coating (prefer stainless steel or ceramic utensils)…
► Ventilate your home at least twice a day to renew the air, especially if we have cleaned.
Thanks to Cindy Louvet, dietician-nutritionist in Paris, specializing in particular in therapeutic dietetics.