The Thyroid is becoming a more acute problem day by day and we can say that because studies have revealed that about 27 million people are suffering from this condition at present. Studies also revealed that even having a mild impairment of thyroid gland can result in cerebral impairment. So, Thyroid is a butterfly-shaped, small gland which is situated at the neck. It releases hormones which facilitate smooth functioning of heart rate, metabolism, mood, regulates energy along with other functions. So, listed below are 10 healthy recipes for patients suffering from Thyroid.
- Chickpeas
Constipation is a common problem which can be found in people who are having thyroid disorders. And chickpeas have high fiber content which reduces or prevents constipation. Toss the boiled chickpeas along with sea salt and rosemary in olive oil and roast it until crispy. And for the vegans, cook the chickpeas with garlic, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, cumin, broth and cinnamon. Stir it with slivered almonds and dried figs and top it with parsley.
- Chicken
Not only it’s a great source of protein for gym freaks but also it also has a dash of zinc which facilitates the production of hormones in your body. Low concentration of zinc in your body can lead to hypothyroidism. Coat the chicken breast with Parmesan cheese, cornflakes along with dressing mixes. Bake it. And enjoy the pretty golden chicken breast with some boiled veggies.
- Yoghurt
Since it’s jam-packed with Vitamin D it improves the regulation of the immune system. The deficiency of Vitamin D can increase the risk of hypothyroidism in our body. Consumption of Yogurt by mixing with it mango chunks will make an amazing Indian beverage called lassi. If you’re not very much fond of mangoes, you can go with other fruits like berries, apples, etc. Puree it with blackberries, grated ginger and honey. Make swirls by stirring it with vanilla yoghurt. Spoon it into moulds and then freeze.
- Seaweed
To synthesize the optimum level of hormones, the thyroid gland requires iodine and even a mild deficiency of iodine can result in thyroid disorders. And examples of natural sources of iodine are- wakame and kombu. For 20 minutes, soak the wakame seaweed in boiling water. Combine it with sesame oil, rice vinegar and honey after draining it. Sprinkle some smoked paprika, sugar and sea salt and saute it for 15 seconds. There you go! Serve the crispy, hot seaweed snacks with mayonnaise. They could also be used in salads, sushi and soups. In addition to iodine, it also offers calcium, fiber, and vitamins K, B, C, A, and E.
- Brazil Nuts
The thyroid is the only gland in our body which contains the highest level of selenium. According to studies, the deficiency of selenium could be one of the primary cause of thyroid problems. Brazil nuts are one among all the food items which are jam-packed with selenium. Soak the Brazil nuts in water overnight, puree it with water after draining and garnish it with dates and a dash of vanilla instead of milk. For soup lovers, cut onions and sweet potatoes and simmer it in vegetable stock until it’s soft. Add Brazil nuts on it and puree till it’s smooth and creamy.
- Apples
Apples have a high concentration of Pectins in it that cleanses our body of mercury, a heavy metal, which is known for facilitating thyroid disorders. Pectins can reduce the concentration of heavy metals in our system by about 74%. Try this interesting recipe: Cut the apples, dredge it in sugar and stir-fry it until tender. Top it with shredded blue cheese and basil. For the breakfast bowl, steam the apple in the apple juice and serve it with blueberries, hemp seeds and yoghurt.
- Avocados
Avocados are not only just a staple but also are loaded with healthy nutrients for thyroid patients. They are loaded with antioxidants and monounsaturated fats which our butterfly-like thyroid gland needs to maintain. Best way to consume it is by making an avocado salad. Chop tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, onion and cilantro in a large bowl. Sprinkle about 2 Tbsp of olive oil and lemon juice. Toss it gently and serve it with back pepper and sea salt.
- Pumpkin seeds
The release of thyroid hormone is synthesized by Zinc and it’s deficiency cause hypothyroidism. Patients suffering from hypothyroidism should consume pumpkin seeds since it provides you with a good amount of Zinc. As we have already mentioned above about the advantages of Avocado for thyroid patients, try mixing pumpkin seeds with avocado and puree it along with cilantro and lime juice. Also, you can toss pumpkin seeds in coconut oil or butter, cinnamon, honey and cardamom and toast it until it’s golden browned.
- Whole Grains
In the first point itself, we’ve mentioned how thyroid disorders in some people lead to constipation. Here’s another option: Whole grain foods which might help in regular bowel. Whole grain rich foods such as pasta, bread, cereal, and rice contain a high concentration of fiber in them. Rice is something which is the staple diet for all Indians. You can consume it daily with some cooked veggies or any of the one food item mentioned in the above points.
- Beans
The kidney-shaped, versatile and inexpensive food, bean, is indeed a saviour for people who feel drained because of the thyroid. It carries antioxidants, proteins, loads of minerals and vitamins along with complex carbohydrates. If you are suffering from constipation which is also a side effect of hypothyroidism, beans could be beneficial since they are high in fiber. Beans could be consumed in a variety of ways such as in salads, side dishes, to enhance soups and stews. It is recommended to get 20-35 grams per day for an effective result. Just don’t overdo it.
We hope the recipes mentioned above have helped you to get out of the trouble to decide what is best for people with thyroid disorders. Consumption of healthy foods along with medication would speed-up the process of recovery for thyroid patients.