Thyroid makes a hormone that controls the pace of your heart beat and how fast you burn your calories. Thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that produces hormones that regulate your body’s energy use along with many other important functions and metabolic processes throughout the body. The two most common kinds of thyroid disorders are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism describes producing an insufficient amount of thyroid hormone and hyperthyroidism results from excessive production of thyroid hormone.

People with hypothyroidism generally suffer from a slower metabolism rate. To boost it, eat more protein-rich foods and  exercise regularly. People with hypothyroidism have an array of food options to maintain a healthy diet.

Fatty fish: Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, trout and sardines are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids. These fish are a good source of the nutrient selenium, which is most concentrated in the thyroid and helps decrease inflammation.

Nuts: Brazil nuts, pine nuts and hazel nuts are rich in selenium. Selenium helps the thyroid function properly. You can eat one to two Brazil nuts and a small handful of other nuts a day. It is enough to get you a daily dose of this nutrient. Be vigilant about the portion control.

Whole eggs: Whole eggs are rich in iodine and our body requires iodine to produce thyroid hormones. However, the body cannot make iodine, so a person needs to extract iodine from foods such as, whole eggs. Do not consume in large quantity because excess iodine can worsen hypothyroidism.

Legumes and beans: Legumes are a good source of tyrosine. This amino acid is used by the thyroid gland to produce T3 and T4. Beans are also a great source of protein, antioxidants, complex carbohydrates and lots of vitamins and minerals. They are high in fibre which can relieve constipation, a common side effect of hypothyroidism. Be cautious about the quantity consumed. Eat in moderation.

Celery: Celery is a miraculous food due to its myriad healing properties. It strengthens hydro-chloric acid in intestinal tract and stabilises the adrenals. Celery also contains powerful electrolytes for the nervous system and boosts T3, a hormone in the thyroid.

Vegetables: Radish is a wonderful vegetable that canbe included in thyroid diet. It is antiviral in nature due to its high and unique sulphur content. The sulphur compound acts like a smoke screen, saturating the thyroid and removing pathogen. Tomatoes contain their very own vitamin C in high amount. This special vitamin C supports the thyroid like no other kind by keeping it balanced. Bell peppers are jam-packed with antioxidants and can improve thyroid problem. Garlic is also an incredible food for thyroid healing because it essentially acts like antiviral bomb that can do wonders for eliminating EBV from your system. Asparagus is also worthy to be added in diet because there are phytochemicals in the skin and in the tips of asparagus that push back invaders whether chemical or viral.

Gluten-free grains: Rice, buckwheat and quinoa are high in nutrients in addition to fibre. They help in regulating bowel movement.

Gluten-free seeds: Chia seeds and flax seeds are high in protein, calcium and Omega-3 and 6. They are known to help deal with thyroid medication symptoms. Sunflower seeds are rich in selenium and a tiny amount of selenium is required by the enzymes to make thyroid hormones work properly.

Dairy products: All dairy products including milk, yogurt and cheese etc. may help improve thyroid levels. Vitamin D may help improve thyroid levels (TSH).

Seaweed: Seaweed is loaded with iodine, an essential nutrient for thyroid function. It also offers nutritional benefits of fibre, calcium and Vitamin A, B, C, E and K.

If you suffer hypothyroidism, there are a few foods that you need to avoid or consume in moderate quantity. These include soy foods, broccoli, kale, cabbage, spinach, cauliflower, sweet potato, cassava, peaches, strawberries, gluten-rich foods like wheat, barley and rye, highly processed foods, all variety of millets, alcohol, tea, coffee and eve green tea. All these foods and beverages can irritate your thyroid gland. Although you do not have to avoid these foods entirely, but do not eat or drink them in large quantity and also close to the time when you take medicine. So if you take medicine in the morning, wait until mid-noon to have these foods.

With these foods and precautions, make sure you keep the medication your doctor prescribes.