Short Answer: Avocados are good for hypothyroidism because they have healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, oleic acid, and plant sterols that can support your thyroid health and overall well-being.
Hypothyroidism is a condition that affects your thyroid gland, which is located in the front of your neck and produces hormones that regulate your metabolism.
In hypothyroidism, your body does not make enough thyroid hormones, which can slow down your metabolism and affect your energy levels, body temperature, heart rate, and other functions.
This can lead to various health problems, such as weight gain, fatigue, depression, high cholesterol, and increased risk of heart disease.
One of the key factors in managing hypothyroidism is diet.
What you consume can affect your thyroid function, which can impact your hypothyroidism symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage hypothyroidism, you should consume iodine-rich foods like seafood, dairy products, and eggs, and selenium-rich foods like Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, and mushrooms.
These nutrients are essential for the production and activation of thyroid hormones.
You should also consume foods that are high in antioxidants, such as blueberries, tomatoes, and bell peppers, to protect your thyroid from oxidative stress and inflammation.
You should avoid foods that contain goitrogens, which are substances that can interfere with thyroid hormone synthesis and uptake.
These include cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, kale, and Brussels sprouts, soy products, and processed foods that contain gluten, sugar, or artificial sweeteners.
Now, avocados are fruits that have a creamy, buttery texture and a mild, nutty flavor.
People usually eat them raw, sliced, mashed, or blended into smoothies, dips, salads, and other dishes.
Avocados are good for hypothyroidism because they contain healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can support your thyroid health and overall well-being.
Half an avocado can give you 10% of the daily value (DV) for potassium, 14% of the DV for fiber, 22% of the DV for vitamin C, 28% of the DV for vitamin E, and 35% of the DV for vitamin K.
These nutrients can help regulate your blood pressure, lower your cholesterol, improve your digestion, boost your immune system, and prevent blood clotting.
Avocados also contain oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid that can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in your body.
Oleic acid can also help improve your insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control, which are important for people with hypothyroidism who may have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Furthermore, avocados are a source of plant sterols, which are compounds that can lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol and increase your HDL (good) cholesterol.
Plant sterols are beneficial for people with hypothyroidism who may have elevated cholesterol levels due to their low thyroid function.
You can eat half an avocado per day safely.
More than that can cause excess calorie intake and weight gain, which can worsen your hypothyroidism symptoms and increase your risk of other health problems.
Also, you shouldn’t eat avocados if you have an allergy to them or to latex, which is a common cross-reactant.
Eating avocados can cause an allergic reaction that may include itching, swelling, hives, or anaphylaxis.
Because avocados are high in histamine, they can also trigger symptoms in people with histamine intolerance, such as headaches, flushing, or digestive issues.
You can buy fresh avocados in your local market or can order them online.
Always choose avocados that are firm but yield to gentle pressure, have no bruises or cracks, and have a dark green or black skin.
Because avocados ripen quickly, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to six months.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and essential medical care, is key to managing hypothyroidism effectively.
I always recommend my hypothyroidism patients to follow a hypothyroidism-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being and enjoy a longer and healthier life.