The top foods to eat if you have Graves' disease
If you have hyperthyroidism or Graves’, you want to think about the foods that you eat. There are several key foods that can help you to manage your symptoms naturally and calm your thyroid down.
These are the top foods that I recommend to clients with an overactive thyroid.
Wholefoods
It’s no surprise that my underlying philosophy for overall thyroid health is true for an overactive thyroid. Although there are some foods that are best avoided for an overactive thyroid (more on that in a later blog), we want 80-90% of your diet to be based on wholefoods.
Why? Because they are:
Higher in nutrients including vitamins and minerals
Richer in fibre (when it comes to plant-based wholefoods)
Lower in additives
Naturally anti-inflammatory
So when in doubt, reach for the less processed food options.
High-protein foods
When you are hyperthyroid, your increased metabolism means you have a greater need for protein. The best options include beef, lamb, pork, chicken, egg whites and quinoa.
Opt for grass-fed/organic options when possible to reduce your exposure to triggers such as chemicals and antibiotic traces.
Plant-based carbohydrates
As a high intake of carbohydrates can encourage the production of thyroid hormones, we want to keep the carb intake on the lower side.
But instead of ‘cutting carbs’ completely, I recommend swapping most of your intake to plant-based options such as fruit and veggies. This will naturally reduce your carb intake as they are less carbohydrate-dense compared to refined options, and it will also increase your fibre and nutrient intake.
Healthy fats
Fats that come from wholefood sources can help to reduce your inflammation levels and protect the thyroid. However, we do want to stick to non-dairy sources, as dairy is high in iodine.
My top picks for thyroid-friendly fats include:
Flaxseed oil
Olive oil
Avocado oil
Coconut oil
Sunflower oil
Safflower oil
Avocado
Unsalted nuts and seeds (salted versions typically use iodised salt!)
Antioxidant-rich foods
There is a lot of oxidative stress and inflammation when you have an overactive thyroid. This is because when you speed up the body, there is less time and resources to heal any damage done to the tissues. That’s why it’s important to eat foods rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds.
Make sure you include plenty of brightly coloured fruits and vegetables such as berries, capsicum, beets and dark leafy greens. You can also reach for oats, green tea, and plenty of herbs and spices (just make sure they are free of added salt!)
Goitrogens
These might not be great if you have an underactive thyroid, but they can work in your favour if you produce too much thyroid hormone!
In case you’ve never heard of them, goitrogens are compounds found in common plant-based foods such as:
Cruciferous vegetables such as boy choy, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and kale
Some fruits and starchy plants including corn, millet, pear and sweet potato
If you consume these foods when raw or lightly cooked, the goitrogens can help to reduce your thyroid hormone level. You can’t just eat your hyperthyroidism away by eating kilos of raw broccoli, but you can help to tweak down the level while you work on the underlying issues.
Newly diagnosed and needing to navigate the world of an overactive thyroid?
I cover what you need to know to manage an overactive thyroid naturally in my course, the Hyperthyroid and Graves’ Disease Recovery Program.
This comprehensive program includes:
6 modules covering the most important information you need to understand your overactive thyroid and how to support it naturally
Resources on thyroid testing and which tests will give you the best overview of your thyroid function
Steps to help you identify triggers and avoid thyroid flares
6 restorative Naturopathic Yoga sessions
Thyroid meditations
A BONUS 4 step gut healing protocol (because many of the triggers for your thyroid are found in the gut!)