Graves Disease Diet

Graves Disease Diet-
Proper Nutrition Optimizes Your Health

A Graves disease diet is becoming increasingly popular among those that have been diagnosed with this condition. According to medical professionals, Graves Disease is considered to be the single most common type of
Hyperthyroidism.

This means that the thyroid gland experiences constant bouts of being overactive. If you have been diagnosed with this condition, it is critical that you learn the goals associated with a Graves Disease Diet and that you follow this diet closely. By doing so, you have the ability to optimize your health.

The Goals of a Graves Disease Diet

If you are planning to utilize a nutritional approach to treating your disease, you should know and understand that there are goals that you should keep in mind in regards to your diet.

The goals are as follows:

1. It is important to remove or eliminate substances or foods that are considered to be toxic.
2. You should focus on a diet that will be beneficial in strengthening your immune system.
3. If you have any types of allergies or food sensitivities to specific products or ingredients, these items should be avoided.
4. It is important that you focus on utilizing supplements that will enhance the amount of nutrients that you digest in your diet.

By focusing on these goals, you may find your symptoms to be reduced and you may start to feel more balanced overall.

Condiments and Foods to Avoid

In determining what foods should be avoided in a Graves Disease Diet, it is essential that you learn which ones are
considered to be toxic.

It is important to avoid foods that are identified as “Goitrogens”. Examples of this include cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli.

One of the main products that increase the amount of toxicity is soy. The reason that this is harmful is because it interferes with the basic functioning of your gland. It does this by acting as an inhibitor to what is medically termed “Thyroid Peroxidase” or “TPO” reactions that are necessary for the proper synthesis of the hormone produced by your thyroid.

Be aware of any processed foods that you consume as many highly processed foods contain soy as a filler ingredient to boost the amount of protein in prepackaged items. It can be hidden in the ingredient list.

Optimizing your Immune System

Many individuals do not realize it, but there are certain foods that may trigger an abnormal immune system response. Since Graves Disease is an autoimmune disorder, it is essential to avoid ingredients that trigger the development of potentially harmful antibodies that may result in the thyroid attacking its own tissue.

Your eating plan should be as similar as possible to the diet that is identified in the medical community as the “Paleolithic Diet”. This means that lean meats, lean fish products, various types of nuts and an assortment of produce should be consumed. Many people refer to the Paleolithic Diet as eating like the cavemen did. Many of us have resorted to using processed foods to save time however we may be paying the price now with our own health.

In addition to the aforementioned areas of concern, your diet should also include various types of nutritional supplement products. According to medical professionals, items such as flaxseed oil, Vitamin C, EPA/DHA,
GLA, Magnesium and Vitamin E should be included your diet.

It is also important to consume whole foods. Think of foods that grow on a tree, in the ground, animals that walk the earth or swim in the oceans and nuts and seeds in their raw and natural state. By following these tips you will be able to create a Graves Disease Diet that will make you stronger, healthier and will hopefully reduce many of the symptoms you may be experiencing.

What is the Best Hyperthyroidism Diet?

The best Hyperthyroidism diet is one that you tailor-make for yourself! You're already the unwilling participant of a rapid weight-loss plan. Your metabolism is running full tilt. It's challenging to consume enough calories isn't it?

We've got the perfect fix!

Graze! Spacing 5-6 smaller meals throughout the day will compensate for valuable nutrients your hyper-metabolism burns-up rapidly.

The key to your special diet is eating enough good fats and proteins to satisfy your body's new requirements. Your aim is to flood your body with proper nutrition to achieve/maintain optimal body weight.

Be mindful, refined sugar and caffeine act as stimulants and can exacerbate Hyperthyroidism symptoms. Make every effort to consume iodine rich foods sparingly. Eat less red meat and more healthy protein. Serve fried food seldom.

The following represents items you should consider avoiding:

Eggs Salt that is iodized Red meat

Sugar Processed foods

Kelp, seaweed Caffeine Fried food

You may want to consider adding a few of the items below to your menu:

Cauliflower Cabbage Broccoli s

Brussels Sprouts Kale Mustard green

Turnips Rutabagas Soybeans

Peanuts Spinach Soy

Members of the brassica family of foods, which are listed above contain goitrogens , which are chemicals that block the thyroid's ability to use iodine. With less iodine, your gland is forced to produce less hormone.

Important Items to Consider:

Include at minimum, one serving of berries in your diet plan each day. Blueberries, strawberries or raspberries provide necessary antioxidants your immune system needs in order to function properly.

Get your Omega 3 fatty acids from cold water fish, flaxseed oil and nuts, such as walnuts. Incorporate soy into your hyperthyroidism diet as it controls the hyper-stimulated gland.

Protein serves as the building block of your diet. Eating turkey, cold water fish, nuts and beans helps maintain your healthy weight. Salmon, tuna and trout are good examples of cold water fish.

Don't ignore dairy products. In the same manner as the body robs protein from your muscles, it removes calcium from your blood and excretes in your urine. The body compensates by leeching calcium from your bones. To defray bone-thinning osteoporosis, strive for 3 servings of yogurt, cheese, milk, cottage cheese, etc. daily.

If you are allergic to dairy, use a calcium supplement or eat a nondairy source of calcium. Lesser known sources of calcium are vegetables, such as spinach and collard greens and sesame seeds, figs or prunes.

Think zinc! This is another nutrient that is a vital component of a Hyperthyroidism diet, as your hyperactive gland depletes zinc. Almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds and peanuts are rich in zinc.

Whole grains are beneficial for fiber, antioxidants and B-vitamins. Read the labels and only purchase 100% whole grain pasta, bread and snacks. Good examples are steel cut oatmeal, air popped popcorn and 100% whole grain breads.

When planning meals make calories your friend! Just to maintain your former energy and healthy weight, you may need to consume as many as 3,000 calories per day!

Eating a balanced Hyperthyroidism diet is critical, even though you may have to eliminate certain foods.

How To Brew Green Tea

How To Brew Green Tea

Makes 1 cup (multiply as desired)

What You Need

Ingredients6 ounces water, plus more if pre-warming the pot or cup
2 grams or about 1 teaspoon loose leaf green tea

EquipmentKettle to boil water
Thermometer (optional)
Teapot
Scale or measuring spoon
Filter or strainer
Timer
Tea cup for serving

Instructions

1. Heat the water: Place the water in a tea kettle and heat it to 160°F to 180°F. Alternatively, bring the water to a boil and then let it rest until it cools to the correct temperature. If you do not have a thermometer to measure the specific temperature, heat the water to just short of boiling. Traditionally Japanese green teas and spring teas are brewed at lower temperatures (160°F to 170°F) and standard Chinese green teas at higher temperatures (170°F to 180°F).
2. Pre-warm the teapot or cup (optional): Pour a small amount of boiling water into the pot or cup. When the pot or cup is warm, pour out the water.
3. Measure the tea leaves: Using a scale, measure 2 grams of tea leaves. Alternatively, measure 1 teaspoon of tea leaves.
4. Place the leaves in the teapot or cup: Place the tea leaves in the pot or cup, either directly or in an infuser.
5. Pour the water: Pour the water over the tea leaves.
6. Cover the teapot or cup: Place the lid on the teapot, or if using a cup, cover it with a lid or a small saucer.
7. Steep the tea: Depending on the particular variety, the tea should steep for 1 to 3 minutes. Small leaves generally infuse more quickly than large leaves. Set a timer for 1 minute. Taste the tea at 1 minute and then every 30 seconds until it is to your liking.
8. Stop the infusion: As soon as the tea is ready, remove the leaves by lifting out the infuser or pouring the tea through a strainer.

Recipe Notes

• Reusing tea leaves: Whole tea leaves can often be steeped 2 to 3 times, producing new flavors with each subsequent brew. Traditionally the water temperature is increased slightly for Chinese green teas and decreased slightly for Japanese green teas.

How to Brew the Perfect Cup of Green Tea