Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Foods That Relieve Symptoms – What Foods To Avoid

Mr Eumenis P. Karafyllidis, Clinical dietitian-nutritionist and Director of the Dietetics Department at Metropolitan General draws attention to foods that patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis should avoid and recommends dietary choices that improve their health.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a condition that belongs to autoimmune diseases and is the most common form of non-specific thyroiditis and the most common cause of hypothyroidism. It affects nine times more women of all ages but is more frequent in middle-aged women.

As in all diseases, diet plays a big role in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, as the over-intake or non-intake of certain nutritional elements can affect the symptoms of the disease and the sufferer's daily life.

Foods recommended for patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis:

Fruits: red fruits (berries), pears, apples, peaches, citrus fruits, pineapples, bananas
Non-starchy vegetables: zucchini, artichokes, tomatoes, asparagus, carrots, peppers, broccoli, arugula, mushrooms
Starchy vegetables: sweet potatoes, potatoes, peas, and pumpkin
Good fats: avocado, olive oil
Dairy products: full-fat yoghurt
Animal proteins: salmon, eggs, turkey, shrimp, chicken
Gluten-free products: brown rice, oats - it has a very small amount of gluten -, quinoa, brown rice noodles
Seeds - nuts: cashews, almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, natural peanut butter, tahini and other nut butters
Legumes: chickpeas, black beans, lentils
Dairy substitutes (fortified with calcium and/or vitamin D): coconut milk, coconut yoghurt, almond milk
Spices, herbs and seasonings: turmeric, basil, rosemary, paprika, saffron, black pepper. Other types are honey, fresh lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, etc.
Drinks: water, tea without sugar, carbonated water, etc.

Limit the following foods may help improve your overall health and reduce Hashimoto's symptoms:

Sweets and other packaged foods: soft drinks, energy drinks, cakes, ice creams, cookies, candies, sugary cereals, table sugar
Fast food: all fast food options (pizza - souvlaki - burger etc.)
Fried food: French fries, fried chicken, etc.
Refined carbohydrates: white pasta, white bread, white flour tortillas, pretzels, etc.
Processed foods and meats: frozen ready meals, meals that require preparation in a microwave oven, bacon, sausage and other deli meats.
Grains and foods containing gluten: wheat, barley, rye, crackers, bread

Caution: This particular category of food is not prohibited. However, it is recommended that consumption of these products be limited.

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