Your thyroid is an important gland in your body. It’s located near the heart and it plays a big role in converting food into energy your body needs. In general, people with underactive thyroid glands are smaller than those with an active thyroid gland. Because of its importance, it’s essential to take good care of your thyroid and make sure it behaves as it should. There are many ways to do that and one of the most recommended is to follow a thyroid diet.
Thyroid diets work by limiting the amount of food you consume. Less food in your diet means you burn fewer calories and eventually lose weight. There are many different types of thyroid diets and some are better suited for certain people than others. Choosing the right diet for your needs is important because you can’t predict how you’ll react to certain foods if you’re not aware of your own thyroid condition. You might experience various side effects from a thyroid diet such as depression or anxiety so it’s key to pick a diet that you know will suit you and your situation. Here are 10 ways to lose weight while on thyroid medication:
Reduce Salt Intake
If you’re taking thyroid medication, you might already be noticing the importance of reducing your salt intake. Your thyroid requires a lot of sodium and consuming too much of it can interfere with its functioning. Moreover, too much salt can cause fluid retention which makes you weigh more than you should. You don’t need to go completely salt-free because you still need some sodium for other health reasons but you can cut back on the amount you take and see how much difference it makes. You’ll likely start noticing weight loss in just a few days if you go overboard and ditch all the salt you’re taking.
Consume More Vegetables
Many people struggling with weight loss while on thyroid medication complain about their diet’s lack of vegetables. You should absolutely consume more vegetables if you’re on thyroid medication because your body needs sufficient amounts of the nutrient to restore its health. Moreover, vegetables are low in calories so it’s easy for you to eat them if you’re trying to lose weight. Some examples of vegetables you may want to consider include tomatoes, spinach, and asparagus. If you want to get even more vegetables in your diet, you may want to think about taking supplements because all vegetables and fruits provide some nutrients but they don’t offer the same benefits as the supplements available to combat thyroid disease. It’s always a good idea to get supplements for any type of deficiency because they can help make up for any nutritional gaps you might have. Taking supplements with meals can even help increase their effectiveness so be sure to eat your vegetables and take your supplements at the same time each day if you want the best results from them.
Eat More Fruits
You may be familiar with the concept of fruits and vegetables because they’re usually featured on any diet plan. Many people confuse the two but they’re actually very different foods with very different effects on your body. Fruits are higher in sugar than vegetables but that doesn’t mean they’re bad for you. On the contrary, fruits contain important nutrients your body needs and they can even act as natural antioxidents. The key is to eat the right fruits at the right times during the year. For example, if you are a fruit lover, you may want to consume more seasonal fruit such as strawberries and blueberries as often as possible but you should also avoid eating overly ripe fruit such as peaches and tomatoes because when they’re ripe, they tend to be very astringent and tart which can actually interfere with digestion. Similarly, avoid over-eating dried fruit such as applesauce because they’re highly processed and have no nutritional value whatsoever. Instead, have fresh fruit available whenever you can so you don’t have to rely on applesauce as a viable option for snacks.
Reduce The Amount Of Sugar You Take
The amount of sugar you take has a profound effect on your weight loss while on thyroid medication. Not only does sugar have calories but it can also cause you to gain weight. If you’re taking a multivitamin that contains sugar, you might be putting yourself at risk of gaining weight. The answer is to reduce the amount of sugar you take whether it’s in the form of fruit juice, honey, or chocolate. Some people even go as far as avoiding these “healthy” options and only consuming raw sugar or coconut sugar. If you’re not sure where your sugar is coming from, it probably comes from processed foods so try to avoid those as well. Eating too much sugar can cause problems with blood sugar levels and weight gain so it’s always best to be mindful of what you consume.
Drink More Water
As we’ve mentioned, vegetables are critical for maintaining healthy weight but they aren’t the only thing you need to drink to stay hydrated. You’ll also need to drink enough water to keep your skin moist and prevent your nails from turning black. You may be used to drinking alcohol to relieve stress but it’s actually worse for your health than most people think. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause you to lose weight even if you’re not currently taking medication for thyroid disease. One of the reasons why is because alcohol inhibits the action of an important enzyme necessary for burning calories. This means you have to expend more energy just to stay alive. This also happens if you’re taking medication for depression because antidepressants can cause you to lose appetite and have trouble caring for your body. If you want to lose weight while on thyroid medication, you need to pay close attention to how much water you’re drinking and make sure you’re drinking sufficient amounts each day. Thirst is not a reliable indicator of hydration, so be sure to drink enough by taking note of how heavy you’re getting and how dry your mouth is feeling. If you want to drink more fluids, you can certainly do so without worrying about weight gain because water is the key to keeping fit regardless of what medication you’re taking.
Take Advantage Of Your Local Market
If you’re not feeling well and you’re looking for ways to improve your health, you might consider your local organic market’s produce. Produce sold at your local organic market is grown without pesticides or chemicals so it’s healthier for you and the environment. You may want to consider buying organic tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions because they’re generally cheaper and easier to find at your local organic market than those sold at conventional supermarkets. When you eat fresh food, especially vegetables, your body gets the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. You don’t have to worry about eating too much of something because it will likely be washed and cleaned before being sold to you so there’s no risk of you getting sick from contaminated food. Moreover, you can buy organic eggs and milk when they’re available because these foods are typically healthier for you than their conventional counterparts.