Iodine is a big player when it comes to keeping your thyroid healthy and preventing goiter and since your thyroid relies on iodine to create essential hormones, adding iodine-rich foods to your diet is key. Think seafood like shrimp, cod, and seaweed, these are packed with iodine and super easy to add to your meals. Dairy products like milk and yogurt also offer a good dose of iodine. And, of course, your everyday iodized table salt can work wonders too. Including this iodine rich food is not only good for overall thyroid health but can also be an important part of goiter treatment.

Selenium

Believe it or not, selenium is a nutrient that often usually flies under the radar but plays a part in thyroid health. This mineral helps regulate how your thyroid functions and protects thyroid tissue from damage. You’ll be able to find selenium in foods like Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, and fish such as tuna and salmon. Even simple options like eggs and whole grains contain selenium, so you’ve got lots of choices for adding this nutrient to your diet.

Zinc

Another good nutrient to focus on is zinc as it supports the thyroid and ensuring it works effectively. Food like oysters and shellfish are rich in zinc, as well as everyday staples like chicken and beans. If you’re a vegetarian you can eat pumpkin seeds and chickpeas for your zinc fix.

Antioxidants

Eating foods rich in antioxidants is always a good move for thyroid health. Antioxidants help combat inflammation, which can be a contributing factor in thyroid issues. Berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries are antioxidant superstars. Load up on colorful veggies like bell peppers and spinach, too as they taste great, work with many meals and they’re also going to give your thyroid some love.

Avoid These Thyroid Disruptors

Some foods, called goitrogens, may interfere with thyroid function. While they’re not harmful for everyone, you might want to moderate your intake of food like raw broccoli, cauliflower, and kale if you’re at risk for goiter. Cooking these vegetables reduces their goitrogenic effects, so feel free to enjoy them, just not in massive amounts or entirely raw.

Vitamin D and Iron

Vitamin D and iron are often overlooked when thinking about thyroid health, but they’re important players. Low levels of vitamin D can impact your thyroid’s function, so spending some time in the sun or adding fortified foods like milk and orange juice to your meals can make a difference. On the iron front, lean meats, spinach, and lentils are great options. These nutrients can help your thyroid stay steady and reduce the risk of imbalance.

As you can probably see from our recommendations in the blog taking care of your diet doesn’t have to mean drastic changes, just small tweaks like these can help you stay on track and give your thyroid the support it needs to function correctly.