Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in your neck with a massive impact on your health. It produces hormones that regulate how your body uses energy, influencing nearly every organ system.
When the thyroid isn’t functioning properly, it can lead to issues like fatigue, weight changes, and digestive trouble. And what you eat plays a big role in how well your thyroid performs.
Three Foods That May Harm Your Thyroid
Certain foods can make thyroid problems worse, especially if you’re already struggling with symptoms. The main culprits? Gluten, sugar, and dairy. These ingredients can increase inflammation and interfere with thyroid function.
Gluten: Hidden in More Than You Think
Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. It’s the reason bread holds its shape and has that chewy texture. While gluten is most commonly associated with wheat, it’s found in many unexpected packaged and processed foods. The protein gliadin—part of gluten—is especially troublesome for thyroid health.
Important Points About Gluten:
- It’s commonly found in wheat, barley, rye, and processed items.
- Gliadin, one of its proteins, is particularly disruptive.
- Cutting out gluten may support better thyroid function.
Here are some common sources of gluten to avoid:
- Wheat, barley, rye
- Regular flour and baked goods
- Spelt, farro, couscous
- Most commercial breads, snacks, pastas, cakes, and pastries
Watch out for hidden gluten in packaged sauces, salad dressings, and even condiments like ketchup. Going gluten-free can make a big difference if your thyroid is struggling.
Sugar: The Sweet Trouble-Maker
Sugar isn’t just in desserts and sodas—it’s hidden in drinks like juice, iced tea, and energy beverages. It’s a major cause of inflammation throughout the body, which puts extra stress on your thyroid. Cutting back on sugar, even the kind in alcoholic drinks or packaged “healthy” snacks, is a smart move for thyroid support.
Dairy: Hard on Digestion
Many people have trouble digesting dairy, and it can be a major source of inflammation. It’s also a common trigger for digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome.
When digestion is impaired, your body may not absorb nutrients well, which further strains your thyroid. Even organic dairy might not be ideal if you’re sensitive. Consider reducing or eliminating dairy to see if your symptoms improve.
Gluten, sugar, and dairy all have the potential to interfere with healthy thyroid function, and if you’re dealing with thyroid issues, it may be worth rethinking how much of these foods are in your diet.
Steps Toward Better Health
Improving your thyroid health starts with understanding how nutrition affects your body. Learning about healthy food choices and incorporating tools like intermittent fasting can help regulate hormones and improve energy. You can also explore natural remedies to manage thyroid symptoms and support overall well-being.
Taking control of your health doesn’t have to be complicated—it starts with awareness and small changes that can make a big difference.