If you’re managing hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s disease, your diet can play a major role in how you feel. Certain foods may seem harmless but can actually disrupt hormone balance, interfere with medication absorption, or trigger inflammation.
Here’s what to limit or avoid to protect your thyroid and reduce unwanted symptoms.
Sugar and Additives
Refined sugars—like sucrose, high-fructose corn syrup, and glucose—can spike insulin, triggering cortisol release from your adrenal glands. High cortisol levels can suppress thyroid hormone production and increase inflammation, worsening hypothyroid symptoms. Processed foods are also packed with additives and preservatives that offer little nutrition and can deplete your body of the vitamins and minerals your thyroid relies on.
Dairy
Many people with Hashimoto’s also struggle with lactose intolerance or dairy sensitivities, which can cause inflammation, poor digestion, and even block the absorption of thyroid medication. Dairy proteins like casein and whey can also trigger immune responses in those with allergies or sensitivities.
Gluten
For some with thyroid issues—especially Hashimoto’s—gluten can worsen symptoms. Gluten can irritate the gut lining, increase inflammation, and in cases of celiac disease, trigger autoimmune attacks that damage the thyroid.
Caffeine and Alcohol
Caffeine can overstimulate your adrenal glands and disrupt sleep, digestion, and hormone regulation. Alcohol, meanwhile, puts stress on your liver, a key organ in converting thyroid hormone (T4) into its active form (T3). It can also interfere with hormone detox and sleep, both of which are crucial for thyroid health.
What About Cruciferous Veggies?
Cruciferous vegetables have gotten a bad rap due to their goitrogen content, but unless you’re severely iodine-deficient, cooked versions of these nutrient-dense veggies are safe—and beneficial.
Focusing on whole, unprocessed foods and working with a thyroid-savvy nutritionist can help you pinpoint your personal dietary triggers and support healing from the inside out.
