Despite what many check-out magazines, websites, and online nutrition gurus might have you believe, there are no certain foods that you should either eat or avoid to improve thyroid function. 


That being said, there are some nutritional factors that do play a role in thyroid function:


  • Calorie intake:  

    • Cutting calories too low for too long can lower the production of thyroid hormones. Once a normal calorie intake is resumed for several months, thyroid hormone levels will usually go up. This is one of the reasons why reverse dieting is so important following a weight loss diet.


  • Vitamins:  

    • The deficiency of specific vitamins (iodine, vitamin D, selenium, zinc, b vitamins) may contribute to thyroid symptoms. However, an underactive thyroid can be caused by many things, and with the fortification of today’s foods, vitamin deficiency is rarely one of them. 


There are also a few myths about certain food components that should be put to rest:


  • You need to avoid "goitrogens’: 

    • These are compounds found in cruciferous vegetables—think broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussel sprouts—that can interfere with the production of thyroid hormones. However, to experience any issues with this, a person with hypothyroidism would have to be eating a VERY high amount of these vegetables raw! In fact, when cooked, the compounds are denatured and pose no threat whatsoever. The danger of goitrogens have often been overstated by many nutrition gurus, leading to the unnecessary elimination of an entire group of foods that are rich in healthy phytochemicals and vitamins and minerals. 


  • You need to avoid soy products:

    • As long as your daily iodine intake is adequate, eating soy products should not pose any issues for the person with hypothyroidism.


There is a lot of hype centered on the "thyroid diet" and the elimination or careful inclusion of specific foods. However, the scientific basis for this is very limited. If you have hypothyroidism, the most powerful thing you can do to help yourself is to ensure that you’re eating a healthy balanced diet and to take the medications and follow the recommendations provided by your doctor.