The thyroid gland, which is located at the bottom of our neck, is in charge of metabolic function of our body. And when your thyroid is out of whack, you gain weight. One of the most obvious signs of a thyroid problem is weight gain. Hormonal imbalances such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are common today, owing to our hectic lifestyles, grab-and-go eating habits, poor quality food, and lack of exercise. These imbalances are not your fault; they are a reflection of and result of the environment in which we live.
Getting treated for Thyroiditis and finding a thyroid diet for weight loss that works for you is one of the best things you can do for your overall health and weight loss. Here’s a closer look at how a thyroid diet for weight loss can help you manage this sudden weight gain.
What Exactly Is Thyroiditis?
Before we can discuss the best thyroid diet for weight loss, we must first understand the condition.
Thyroiditis affects 1-2% of the global population and is ten times more likely to affect women than men. The immune system attacks and damages the thyroid gland in many cases of Thyroiditis. There are two types of thyroid imbalance, viz., hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the body does not produce enough thyroid hormone, as opposed to hyperthyroidism, in which the body produces excessive amounts of the thyroxine hormone.
Diagnosis is the utmost priority
You are put on medication and advised to follow a diet that will help your medication become more effective, depending on the severity of your symptoms and regular monitoring. In milder cases, diet and lifestyle changes are sufficient to manage the disorder and, in some cases, effectively reverse the symptoms.
It’s “critical to get diagnosed” because if your thyroid is underactive, not getting the right treatment at the right time can make weight loss nearly impossible, even with diet and exercise. The longer you wait to get a diagnosis after noticing symptoms, the more weight you are likely to gain. So, the first step is to look for the signs and get them diagnosed, followed by determining the best thyroid diet for weight loss.
Thyroid Diet
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High glycemic load foods, such as refined carbs, processed foods, and refined sugar, can make you feel sluggish. These foods should not be included in your thyroid diet if you want to lose weight. Drinks that boost your metabolism are beneficial to your thyroid. Morning lemon water and afternoon green tea can be effective. Make these caffeine-free natural drinks a part of your thyroid diet for weight loss.
Minerals
Quantity, particularly iodine, can aid in thyroid management. Iodine has a strong relationship with thyroid function. Excess iodine can increase your risk of hypothyroidism, but so can a lack of iodine. You should check your iodine levels, especially if you think you’re getting too much or too little. This is a factor in determining the best thyroid weight loss diet.
Other minerals that should be included in your thyroid diet for weight loss include selenium (found in eggs, tuna, and legumes) and zinc (found in oysters, chicken and amaranth.) These minerals help the T4 hormone convert to the active T3 hormone.
Gluten Consumption
Gluten has gotten a bad reputation in the last decade, some of which is correct and some of which is simply alarmist. However, studies show a link between gluten sensitivity and celiac disease and the onset of certain autoimmune conditions, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Some patients reported significant weight loss after switching to a gluten-free diet. You can incorporate brown rice, quinoa, and locally available gluten-free flours like besan into your meals.
Consumption of Soy
As part of your thyroid diet for weight loss, soy should be avoided or consumed in very small amounts. This is due to the presence of plant oestrogens or phytoestrogens in soy, which may inhibit the activity of enzymes involved in the production of thyroid hormones.
This means avoiding all types and forms of soy, including soy sauce, soy nuggets, tofu, soy milk, and other packaged products containing soy.
Meal planning
Changing your meal schedule – to either intermittent fasting or small, frequent meals – may also help. In general, an intermittent fasting diet involves limiting the amount of time you eat.
This could range from alternate-day fasting to periodic fasting or time-restricted feeding on a daily basis. Another approach that may be effective is to eat small meals throughout the day.
You can also limit your eating to two or three meals per day, with no snacks in between and no food after 8 p.m., as this approach may aid in fat burning and the regulation of hunger hormones.
Role Of Exercise In Controlling Thyroiditis
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Exercise is one of the most important aspects of losing weight. Cardio is essential for people with thyroid disease to maintain their weight loss because the condition affects muscle function.
People with hypothyroidism can lose weight, but they must devote more time to resistance and cardio training than the average person.
Women with hypothyroidism will have abnormal muscle function, making it difficult to build and maintain muscle even after treatment begins. It is critical to perform 2-3 strength training workouts per week.
