9 worst foods for Hashimoto’s

Raw cruciferous vegetables

These nutrient-rich vegetables are healthy for most people, but their substances called goitrogens can directly impact thyroid function.

Common cruciferous vegetables:

• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Brussels sprouts
• Kale

How goitrogens affect your thyroid:

• They slow down your thyroid's hormone production
• They block iodine, which your thyroid needs to make hormones

What you can do:

• Cook your vegetables instead of eating them raw – try boiling, steaming, or stewing
• Limit these vegetables to 1-2 servings per week

IMPORTANT: Heat breaks down most goitrogens, making these vegetables safer for people with thyroid conditions.

Soy foods

Soy also contains high levels of goitrogens and requires extra caution because cooking doesn't eliminate them.

Common soy foods:

• Tofu
• Soy sauce
• Miso
• Edamame
• Soymilk

How soy affects your thyroid:

• It contains high levels of goitrogens that remain even after cooking
• It interferes with thyroid hormone production and leaves you feeling exhausted
• It blocks thyroid medication absorption

What you can do:

• Avoid soy products or consider alternatives

IMPORTANT: If you take thyroid medication, be especially careful with soy products, as they can make it less effective.

Lectin-rich food

Lectins increase autoimmune inflammation in the thyroid gland, leading to an increase in antibodies.

Common lectin-rich foods:

• Legumes
• Potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Bell pepper
• Peanuts

How lectins affect your thyroid:

• They damage your intestinal lining
• They trigger inflammatory responses
• They increase thyroid antibodies, which can worsen autoimmune reactions and symptoms

What you can do:

• Soaking beans for 8 hours before cooking.
• Using pressure-cooker

IMPORTANT: Proper preparation methods, such as soaking and pressure cooking, can significantly reduce the lectin content of these foods, making them more tolerable.

Added sugars

Food with added sugar triggers multiple reactions in your body, from blood sugar imbalances to increased inflammation, creating a chain of events that can worsen thyroid function.

Common sugary foods:

• Candy and chocolate
• Pastries and cakes
• Flavored yogurts
• Ice cream
• Sodas and sweetened drinks

How sugar affects your thyroid:

• It increases inflammation, which triggers more thyroid antibody production
• It disrupts your gut bacteria balance (intestinal microflora)
• It increases intestinal permeability, allowing harmful substances to enter your bloodstream

What you can do:

• Minimize processed foods because they often contain added sugar
• Read labels carefully. Sugar is even in protein bars, granola, ketchup, and other sauces
• Eat fruits and berries if you want something sweet

IMPORTANT: High sugar intake creates a cycle of inflammation and immune responses that can significantly worsen thyroid function and increase antibody production.

Gluten

The connection between gluten and thyroid health is significant. Gluten can trigger inflammation, affect nutrient absorption, and may even contribute to thyroid disorder development.

Common gluten-containing foods:

• Bread and pastries
• Pasta and noodles
• Cereals
• Couscous
• Wheat products
• Barley
• Rye
• Spelt

How gluten affects your thyroid:

• It worsens intestinal permeability (leaky gut), which can trigger autoimmune responses
• It causes selenium deficiency, a mineral essential for thyroid hormone production
• It increases inflammation throughout your body and increases antibody levels
• It interferes with nutrient absorption

What you can do:

• Remove all gluten-containing foods from your diet
• Read food labels carefully – gluten hides in many processed foods
• Choose naturally gluten-free alternatives like quinoa, rice, buckwheat, etc.

IMPORTANT: Unlike some other food restrictions, complete gluten elimination is crucial as even small amounts can trigger autoimmune responses and interfere with thyroid function.

Processed foods

These foods' ingredients and packaging present multiple challenges, creating a complex web of risks for thyroid function.

Common processed foods to avoid:

• Fast food and fried foods
• Hot dogs and packaged sandwiches
• Cookies, crackers, and chips
• Frozen dinners
• Bacon and sausages

Processed foods contain many ingredients that affect your thyroid:

• High sodium content raises blood pressure risks
• Trans fats and saturated fats increase inflammation
• Refined carbohydrates disrupt blood sugar and gut health
• Artificial additives trigger autoimmune responses

What you can do:

• Buy whole foods

IMPORTANT: Consider a grocery list at home in advance, excluding processed foods.

Alcohol

This substance has a complex, multi-system impact that creates a particularly challenging combination for thyroid health through its effects on immunity, hormone production, and gut function.

Alcohol beverages are any beverages containing more than 0.5% alcohol.

How alcohol affects your thyroid:

• Reduces thyroid hormone levels
• Increases thyroid antibody level
• Impairs liver function, which processes thyroid hormones
• Triggers inflammation throughout the body
• Causes intestinal permeability (leaky gut)

What you can do:

• Eliminate alcohol from your diet
• Choose non-alcoholic alternatives for social events

IMPORTANT: Unlike some other dietary restrictions, alcohol's impact on thyroid function is severe and multi-layered, affecting hormone production, immune function, and gut health simultaneously.

Caffeine

This stimulant affects the nervous system and gut health, potentially triggering a cascade of reactions that can worsen thyroid symptoms.

Common caffeine sources:

• Coffee drinks
• Black and green tea
• Energy drinks
• Pre-workout supplements
• Cola drinks

How caffeine affects your thyroid:

• Stimulates excess cortisol (stress hormone) production
• Increases autoimmune reactions and thyroid antibodies
• Irritates the intestinal lining
• Increases intestinal permeability
• Disrupts sleep patterns, affecting hormone balance
• May interfere with thyroid medication absorption

What you can do:

• Switch to herbal teas without caffeine
• Try chicory root coffee alternatives

IMPORTANT: If you must have coffee: avoid caffeine on an empty stomach and wait at least one hour after taking thyroid medication.

Canola oil

This oil triggers inflammation and affects thyroid function because of its fatty acid composition and goitrogens.

Common sources of canola oil:

• Salad dressings
• Processed foods
• Mayonnaise
• Baked goods
• Restaurants often use this oil for cooking

How canola oil affects your thyroid:

• Contains goitrogens that interfere with thyroid function
• Creates imbalance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids
• Increases inflammation throughout the body
• Raises thyroid antibody levels

What you can do:

• Replace canola oil with thyroid-friendly alternatives:
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Coconut oil
  • Avocado oil

• Read ingredient labels carefully – canola oil is often hidden in processed foods
• Cook at home more often to control oil usage

IMPORTANT: Canola oil's combination of goitrogens AND inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids creates a double.