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If you've got an underactive thyroid, you know that constant fatigue and weight gain are your constant companions, or least something you worry about. You feel drained of energy and life, unable to do the activities you once loved. You may be too overweight to the activities you once enjoyed, too, or you're just too tired to get out and do them. Can an underactive thyroid diet help you regain the energy and lose the weight, so that you can get back to living?
The answer is pretty complicated, because an underactive thyroid diet can never actually "cure" you of hypothyroidism. However, if you follow a well balanced diet and have proper nutrition, including nutrients that can increase your energy and help you lose weight, you can absolutely take back at least some control.
When you feel better, you can also be more active, and when you exercise more, you can say goodbye to exhaustion and start feeling even better. Your ultimate objective should be to do 45 minutes to an hour of physical activity and exercise a day, and you don't have to exceed your abilities to it. Simply start slow, such as taking a walk every day, and then do more as you feel like it.
The underactive thyroid diet isn't as difficult to follow as you might think, either. It's really just a healthy diet, for the most part. Build it from fresh fruits and vegetables, and then add in some lean protein like ground turkey or skinless chicken. Healthy fats like olive oil and low-fat dairy should also be included.
You can also take several natural supplements to complete your underactive thyroid diet. Soy protein drinks and a supplement called Active Fiber can also help you regain good health.
Carbohydrates should be used sparingly in an underactive thyroid diet, with most of them coming from fruits and vegetables. For example, leafy green vegetables such as spinach are a good carbohydrate source. Whole grains, too, should be included, things like brown rice and oatmeal. Don't make even complex carbohydrates a mainstay of your diet, though. Instead, eat them moderately; extra fiber is important especially if you suffer from constipation due to your hypothyroidism.
If you are a vegetarian, not to worry. You can also construct your own underactive thyroid diet, but you need to make sure you get enough protein. You can get protein from nut butters like peanut butter, and from nuts themselves. Meat replacement products can help as well, and you should certainly get vegetables, which also contain protein. Soy protein is an especially good choice, because it contains the 20 essential amino acids; a good naturally based protein drink can give you the daily-recommended amounts of what you need.
Be careful if you're following an underactive thyroid diet to avoid foods that have a lot of preservatives. Although preservatives do indeed extend packaged foods' shelf life, your body doesn't find them healthy at all. Most of them also have an abundance of chemicals like synthetic flavors and colors, so use natural alternatives instead.
An underactive thyroid diet isn't really special -- it's just a healthy, well-balanced meal plan that delivers the nutrition you need for health, energy, and well being.
