What Hashimoto's Disease sufferers shouldn't eat and why? why why why?

There is everyday food that in our fridges right now that can really mess up the function of our Thyroid. And in that food contains Goitrogens.

"Goitrogens are naturally-occurring substances that can interfere with function of the thyroid gland. Goitrogens get their name from the term "goiter," which means an enlargement of the thyroid gland. If the thyroid gland is having difficulty making thyroid hormone, it may enlarge as a way of trying to compensate for this inadequate hormone production. "Goitrogens," like circumstances that cause goiter, cause difficulty for the thyroid in making its hormone"

There are two categories of foods that contains these evil little guys and they're soybean-related foods and cruciferous vegetables.


Soy bean related foods are:

• Soy beans
• Soy Milk
• Soy Meal
• Tofu
• Tempeh
• Soy Flour
• Soy Yogurt
• Soy Bean Oil
• Theres so many other soy products out there. Just check the ingredients on packaging to check. And if it does have soy it is most likely going to have 'Soy' at the beginning of it's title. 
• There is also soy soaps and other soy products that you don't consume. I'm going to avoid them anyway, as whatever you put onto your skin can seep into your blood stream.

Plus, studies have found that Soy is linked to infertility, breast cancer, hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer, and many other disorders. And personally, tastes slightly disgusting.


Cruciferous Vegetables have been associated with decreased thyroid function.

"Cruciferous vegetables can potentially be goitrogenic (inducing goiter formation). They contain enzymes that interfere with the formation of thyroid hormone. Cooking for 30 minutes significantly reduces the amount of goitrogens and nitriles. At high intake of crucifers, the goitrogens inhibit the incorporation of iodine into thyroid hormone"

Cruciferous foods to avoid:

• Horse Radish
• Land/Garden/Water Cress
• All Mustard seeds
• Kale
• Collard Greens
• All kinds of Broccoli
• All kinds of Cabbage
• Brussel Sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Bok Choy
• Komatsuna
• Turnips
• Canola
• Rapeseed
• Rocket leaves
• Radishes
• Wasabi

Some websites have mentioned avoiding fluoride and chlorine. This is in our water and toothpaste. I'm not going to bother too much with this one. I do believe that if you have a filter tap, this does filter out the fluoride and chlorine.


Other food to avoid is:

• Millet
• Peaches
• Peanuts
• Spinach
• Strawberries
• Caffeine
• Smoking
• Alcohol
• sweet potatoes (Kumara)
• excess sugar (especially refined white sugar)
• Milk products (The casein in milk products can cause harm to the endocrine system and throw off the thyroid hormone in the body. There is also the question of the antibiotics and hormones given to cows which are found in milk and can interfere with the entire endocrine system)
• Iron supplements should also be taken with care. Mercury is also bad for those with an underactive thyroid as it can block the thyroid hormone production. Calcium, magnesium and aluminum can also interfere with thyroid function if taken in excess.
• Stay away from Bad fats (Saturate and Trans fats) also cut out animal fats as much as possible. 

As I am typing this out, it has reminded me of what my mum has done to her diet that has made her lose 17kilos (37lbs). My mum went to the doctor and was told that she had very high cholesterol and was told to cut out dairy products and red meat. She has an under active thyroid. Perhaps I should also adopt vegetarianism into the diet 6 days a week?