Q Are there any foods or substances I should avoid to protect my thyroid?
If you have no known thyroid problems, a balanced diet should be enough to provide the iodine, selenium, iron and vitamin A required for healthy hormone production. Eat the following foods to increase your selenium intake because, selenium maintains the thyroid hormone production; mushrooms, garlic, onions, eggs, beef liver, shellfish, wheat germ, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds. You must avoid the goitrogenic foods like green cruciferous vegetables like bok choy, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, collard greens, kale, spinach, rapini and mustard greens. They also include fruits like pears, peaches and strawberries. Other goitrogenic foods include almonds, peanuts, soybeans, sweet potatoes, radishes, cassava, pine nuts and turnips. Avoid polyunsaturated fats, refined sugar and starch. Go for exercise daily for about 30-45 min. Stay active, avoid sedentary lifestyle.