The Complete Thyroid Cookbook: Easy Recipes and Meal Plans for Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's Relief

By Lisa Cicciarello Andrews

Manage thyroid health through nutrition with this all-in-one resource
It's easier than you think to eat hearty and delicious meals that help relieve the symptoms of thyroid disease. This thyroid cookbook breaks down the connection between thyroid health and food in simple terms. Then, it explains how to put the information to good use with guided meal plans and flavorful recipes that help you feel better naturally.

- Evidence-based diet advice—This thyroid cookbook explains three different thyroid-friendly diets: Paleo, Autoimmune Protocol, and Elimination Provocation.
- Prepare to eat well—Find 85 affordable recipes for everything from dinner to sweets and snacks, with detailed meal plans for each diet.
- No experience required—Even casual cooks will find everything they need for success with this thyroid cookbook full of clear instructions, shopping lists, and recipes that are quick to put together.
Eat what you love and manage thyroid symptoms with The Complete Thyroid Cookbook.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Jan 14, 2025
• ISBN: 9781648765476

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

Thyroid disease affects more than 20 million people in the United States, primarily women. Whether you’ve had thyroid disease all your life or were diagnosed in adulthood, it can be frustrating to manage. As a clinical dietitian, I’ve helped hundreds of clients take control of their thyroid health through diet and lifestyle changes. I’ve witnessed the weight fluctuation struggles, as well as temperature dysregulation and hair loss, that individuals with thyroid disease often go through. It can be a challenging and frustrating experience but not impossible to manage.

The Complete Thyroid Cookbook was written to help individuals dealing with thyroid disease manage their health through a nutritious diet, effective meal plans, and easy recipes that make meal prep a cinch.

As an autoimmune disease, thyroid disease is frequently managed by healing the gut and consuming foods and beverages that support healthy thyroid function. All of the recipes in this cookbook are dairy-free and gluten-free to help reduce inflammation that often accompanies thyroid disease. These dietary changes may seem difficult initially, but with some advance planning and an open mind, you’ll discover how easy it is to follow a thyroid-friendly diet.

This book includes background information on three different thyroid-friendly diets, including Paleo, Autoimmune Protocol, and Elimination Provocation diets. It contains easy recipes, meal preparation tips, user-friendly meal plans, and shopping lists for each diet that are backed by scientific evidence. The 85 recipes in this book are versatile, affordable, and delicious. Living with thyroid disease should not be restrictive or difficult. I hope you’ll find relief for your thyroid disease through the dietary changes suggested in The Complete Thyroid Cookbook.

Different types of broths and oils.

Part One

Eating for Thyroid Health

Two avocado rings.

If you or someone you know is dealing with thyroid disease, you’re not alone. Millions of people, primarily women, suffer from hypothyroidism and other diseases of the thyroid. Thankfully, changes in the diet can help you manage your thyroid condition. This book is designed to provide you with sound scientific information on dealing with thyroid disease through a healthy diet. The basics of your thyroid and why diet matters will be covered in this part.

Lemons, zucchini, and zucchini noodles.

Chapter 1

UNDERSTANDING THE THYROID-DIET CONNECTION

3 dots above a timeline.

This chapter will review the important functions of the thyroid and the five main causes of thyroid disorders. Tests, medications, supplements, and common thyroid disorders will be reviewed, as well as other autoimmune disorders that may affect thyroid function. Finally, information about various dietary changes to improve your thyroid and overall health will be covered.

All About Your Thyroid

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped organ located in the front of your neck (beneath the Adam’s apple in men). Your thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system and is the tiny powerhouse in your body that controls metabolism and hormone regulation. The thyroid is also involved in general growth and physical development, temperature regulation, and brain development in infants.

Your thyroid works in conjunction with your pituitary gland, which makes thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). The pituitary gland is housed in your brain and communicates to your thyroid to make and release hormones. If something is wrong with the pituitary gland or your thyroid is damaged in some way, thyroid hormones will be affected. When TSH is off balance, too much or too little of certain hormones are produced, resulting in alterations in metabolism. Individuals experiencing thyroid dysfunction may gain weight if their thyroid is underactive (known as hypothyroidism) or lose weight if their thyroid is overactive (known as hyperthyroidism).

Two major thyroid hormones, T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine), are necessary to make and regulate epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, the body’s feel-good hormone. Epinephrine helps control emotional reactions such as fear, enjoyment, and excitement and plays a role in metabolism and bone growth.

If your health-care provider suspects that something is wrong with your thyroid function, they may test the levels of your thyroid hormones (including TSH) to determine the next course of action.

What Causes Thyroid Disorders?

According to the American Thyroid Association, thyroid disease affects 12 percent of the US population, though up to 60 percent of people don’t know they have it. Thyroid disease is five to eight times more common in women than men and is on the rise.

Researchers believe autoimmune (in which the immune system attacks its own tissue) and non-autoimmune thyroid disease is increasing in the United States for several reasons. A stressful lifestyle and poor lifestyle choices, such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, diet, and lack of exercise, may increase the risk of non-autoimmune thyroid dysfunction.

Women may be at higher risk for thyroid disease, as they endure stress from pregnancy and lactation. Under stress, our thyroid gland is triggered to save energy, resulting in fatigue and weight gain.

The five main causes of thyroid dysfunction are heredity, a faulty immune system, unbalanced gut bacteria, environmental factors, and nutritional deficiencies. Having a family history of autoimmune thyroid disease raises the risk of developing it. Scientists have not pinpointed one specific gene but believe several genetic mutations may lead to thyroid dysfunction. Levels of hormones that manage thyroid function are known to be partially attributed to genetic makeup. Let’s explore these main causes more closely.

A faulty immune system that’s compromised by other chronic illnesses raises the risk of developing autoimmune thyroid disease. According to Jorge Cárdenas-Roldán’s article, How Do Autoimmune Diseases Cluster in Families?, autoimmune conditions tend to cluster in families, known as familial aggregation, meaning certain traits, behaviors, or disorders continually appear within a given family. While environmental factors influence thyroid disease, genetics can play a significant factor.

Unbalanced gut bacteria are another cause of autoimmune thyroid disease. According to Eleonore Fröhlich in her article, Microbiota and Thyroid Interaction in Health and Disease, alterations in the bacteria in our bowels, known as the gut microbiome, have been linked with Hashimoto’s disease, Graves’ disease, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer. If the lining of the gut is compromised, antigens and other reactive compounds can flow through our bloodstream and cause an immune response.

Environmental toxins may also impair thyroid function. Heavy metals such as aluminum, lead, and mercury can damage our thyroid hormones. Pesticides, chemicals in household cleaners, and toxins found in carpet, furniture, and clothing may also contribute to the risk of thyroid disease.

Beauty products may also disrupt thyroid function. Skin care products, makeup, and deodorant can contain toxins that are absorbed through the skin. Compounds found in beauty products, such as parabens, interfere with the endocrine system, including the thyroid.

Nutrient deficiencies may also increase the risk for autoimmune thyroid disease. The thyroid relies on iodine to function normally. Use of sea salt is trendy, but unfortunately, it doesn’t contain iodine. Iron converts inactive thyroid hormone to its active form. Iron is the most common nutrient deficiency worldwide.

Along with iodine and iron, copper is needed for the production of thyroid hormone, and zinc and selenium are necessary to convert T4 and T3 into their active forms. Vitamin D manages the immune response and is needed to regulate normal thyroid activity.

FAQ: TESTS, MEDICATIONS, AND SUPPLEMENTS

The following information is not intended to take the place of medical advice but instead to serve as a guide on things to discuss with your medical provider.

Q. What tests should you ask your health-care provider to perform?

If your primary care doctor suspects something is wrong with your thyroid, they will order a blood test to check your TSH level. This is the best measurement to discover thyroid dysfunction and should be checked annually.

An elevated TSH suggests there’s not enough thyroid hormone being made (hypothyroidism), while a decreased level of TSH suggests too much thyroxine is being produced (hyperthyroidism). A low level of TSH may also be a symptom of someone who is very ill and not necessarily an indication of thyroid disease. Other thyroid hormones tested include T4, T3, and thyroglobulin levels.

Q. Does thyroid dysfunction impact fertility?

Women may experience menstrual irregularities or infertility because decreased thyroid hormone levels can affect ovulation. Hyperthyroidism is less common than hypothyroidism, affecting about 1 in 100 people in the United States. Work with your doctor to get your thyroid function under control before planning a family.

Q. What medications are used for thyroid conditions?

A commonly prescribed medication for hypothyroidism is levothyroxine, a synthetic form of T4 (thyroxine) under the brand names Synthroid, Levoxyl, and Unithroid. Tirosint-SOL is a liquid form of thyroxine used in patients with difficulty swallowing. Armour Thyroid is made from pigs and used to treat hypothyroidism or thyroid cancer. Liothyronine, also used for hypothyroidism, is synthetic T3 available under the brand name Cytomel.

Methimazole (Tapazole) is used to treat hyperthyroidism and deactivate the thyroid gland. It is also used as a treatment prior to removal of the thyroid. TEPEZZA is an infused medication used to treat thyroid eye disease.

Q. Are there any helpful supplements I should consider?

Dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA and should be considered with caution. Always discuss supplement intake with your health-care provider. A few things to be aware of with supplements include:

•Supplements containing iodine, a mineral needed for normal thyroid function, should not exceed 500 micrograms per day, according to the American Thyroid Association.

•The antioxidant selenium may be used for thyroid disease to reduce antibodies, but caution is advised because selenium supplementation has been linked with diabetes.

•Vitamin D supplements may be suggested by a health-care provider because vitamin D deficiency is common in autoimmune diseases, including thyroid dysfunction.

•Iron supplementation may be used if your doctor discovers you are deficient.

•Vitamin B12 supplementation may be necessary for those dealing with hyperthyroidism.

Always check with your doctor, dietitian, or pharmacist before taking supplements.

Common Thyroid Disorders and Symptoms

The following is an overview of common thyroid disorders.

Hypothyroidism

The word hypo means low or decreased. For example, hypoglycemia means low blood sugar. Hypothyroidism is defined as low or underactive thyroid function and is known to decrease metabolism, resulting in unwanted weight gain or difficulty with weight loss. Although hypothyroidism is associated with weight gain, it may also have a profound effect on your heart. Hypothyroidism may cause high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and poor cardiac muscle contraction.

With hypothyroidism, a