Here’s what you should eat for a healthy thyroid

Our diet plays a significant role in the healthy functioning of the thyroid gland. This butterfly shaped organ sits in front of our neck and regulates vital body functions such as body temperature, breathing, heart rate, body weight and even menstrual cycle in women. Thus, it becomes important to eat right. Our diet should be healthy enough to strengthen our metabolism system, which further helps in maintaining proper thyroid function. These foods include...

Enriched in vitamin D and probiotics, yoghurt ensures good health of the thyroid gland. It balances good bacteria in our gut that are often disturbed by thyroid imbalances.

Salmon is the best seafood that boosts our metabolism. Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acid that boosts anti-inflammatory properties. A study done in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry showed that consumption of salmon was most effective in reducing inflammation and helped in losing weight when compared with cod, fish oil and even a no-fish diet.

The dietary fats like healthy oils are important for the proper functioning of our bodies and even for losing weight. Consuming the right kind of fats and oils increases metabolism, satiates hunger and burns extra calories. Olive oil is loaded with anti-oxidants that fight against many diseases such as cancer and osteoporosis and increases serotonin ( a hormone associated with satisfaction) in our blood.

Green tea contains antioxidant that helps in releasing fatty cells from the body. It also helps our liver to turn fat into energy, thereby helping in increased metabolism. Green tea is an effective fat burner and hence, consuming one or two cups is beneficial.

Egg whites are low in calories, fat-free and contain protein which is beneficial for our metabolism. Its yolk contains many metabolism-stoking nutrients, such as fat-soluble vitamins, essential fatty acids and choline, which attacks the gene mechanism that triggers our body to store fat around your liver. According to some studies, moderate consumption of two whole eggs per day has no negative effect on our body and helps in improving body’s lipid system.

To include iodine in your diet, you can include sea vegetables and seafood apart from eggs, spinach, garlic and sesame seeds.

For a good selenium count, include mushrooms, meat, sunflower seeds and soya bean in your diet.

As zinc encourages a healthy thyroid, add peas, walnuts, whole grains, almonds in your diet.

Iron plays an important role in the health of thyroid. So it is recommended to have oysters, lentils, and pumpkin seeds in good quantity. (Image Courtesy: Shutterstock)