What foods should patients with Hashimoto's hypothyroidism avoid?
Mar 04, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Chuanjia
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, patients with Hashimoto's hypothyroidism should avoid eating walnuts, pistachios, persimmons, kelp, coffee, and similar foods. Patients should increase their intake of protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals to maintain normal bodily functions. Regarding diet, patients with Hashimoto's hypothyroidism should follow their doctor's recommendations and develop a reasonable eating plan.
Generally, patients with Hashimoto's hypothyroidism should avoid eating walnuts, pistachios, persimmons, kelp, coffee, and similar foods. Details are as follows:
1. Walnuts
Walnuts contain plant estrogens that may affect the endocrine system, interfering with the normal metabolism and function of thyroid hormones. Moreover, walnuts are high in calories; excessive consumption may lead to weight gain. Obesity increases the metabolic burden on patients with hypothyroidism and is not conducive to recovery.
2. Pistachios
Pistachios are also high-calorie foods; overconsumption may easily lead to excessive calorie intake, which converts into fat accumulation, causing weight gain. Additionally, some components in nuts may interact with thyroid medications, affecting drug absorption and effectiveness.
3. Persimmons
Persimmons are cold-natured fruits containing high levels of tannic acid. Patients with Hashimoto's hypothyroidism typically have cold body conditions and weak gastrointestinal function. Eating persimmons may further impair the spleen and stomach's yang energy, leading to slowed gastrointestinal motility and resulting in indigestion, constipation, and other issues.
4. Kelp
Kelp is rich in iodine. Excessive iodine intake may worsen the condition of Hashimoto's hypothyroidism because iodine is an essential raw material for synthesizing thyroid hormones. However, excessive iodine intake may stimulate already damaged thyroid tissue.
5. Coffee
Caffeine in coffee may stimulate the thyroid, affecting the absorption and metabolism of thyroid hormone medications. Furthermore, caffeine may cause symptoms such as increased heart rate and insomnia, increasing the physical burden on patients with Hashimoto's hypothyroidism. Therefore, patients should minimize coffee consumption.
Patients with Hashimoto's hypothyroidism should increase their intake of protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals to maintain normal body functions. Regarding diet, patients should follow their doctor's advice and develop a reasonable eating plan.
