8 foods to avoid if you are diagnosed with hypothyroidism

Apr 12 , 2022

Emmanuel Lugo

8 foods to avoid if you are diagnosed with hypothyroidism

What you eat can affect your thyroid gland as well as your body’s ability to use thyroid hormone. Learn which foods to avoid when managing hypothyroidism.


1. Limit your intake of Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, turnips, and bok choy

Cruciferous Vegetables like Broccoli and Cauliflower, they may interfere with the production of thyroid hormone .

2. Gluten, Found in Bread and Pasta

Only if you have been diagnosed with celiac disease, gluten can irritate the small intestine and may hamper absorption of thyroid hormone replacement medication.

3. Fatty Foods Such as Butter, Meat, and All Things Fried

Have been found to disrupt the body's ability to absorb thyroid hormone replacement medicines. Fats may also interfere with the thyroid's ability to produce hormone as well.

4. Sugary Foods

Hypothyroidism can cause the body's metabolism to slow down, that means it's easy to put on pounds if you aren't careful. It's best to reduce the amount of sugar you eat or try to eliminate it completely from your diet.

5. Processed Foods in Packages and the Frozen Aisle

Having an underactive thyroid increases a person's risk for high blood pressure, and processed foods tend to have a lot of sodium. Too much sodium further increases this risk.

6. Excess fiber from whole grains, vegetables, fruits, beans, and legumes

Is good for you, but too much can complicate your hypothyroidism treatment. Currently recommends that adults up to age 50 should take in 25 to 38 grams of fiber a day. The consumption above that level affect your digestive system and can interfere with absorption of thyroid hormone replacement drugs.

7. Coffee: Time Your First Cup Carefully in the Morning

Per a study in the journal Thyroid, caffeine has been found to block absorption of thyroid hormone replacement.

8. Alcohol Doesn’t Play Well With Your Thyroid

Alcohol appears to have a toxic effect on the thyroid gland and suppresses the ability of the body to use thyroid hormone.