Having hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, can cause symptoms similar to drinking too much caffeine. Because the hormones produced by your thyroid impact your energy and moods, you may experience anxiety, tremors, a rapid heartbeat and sleep difficulties. Unintentional weight loss, bulging eyes and menstrual changes may also occur. In addition to medical treatments, a nutritious diet, limited in particular foods, may help reduce your symptoms. For best results, seek guidance from your doctor or dietitian.
Enriched Flour
Enriched flour contain fewer nutrients and digests less efficiently than whole grains. As a high glycemic food, enriched flour may also disrupt your blood sugar and hormone levels. Lowering the glycemic index level in your diet can help restore healthy thyroid levels, according to women's health expert Dr. Christiane Northrup. To accomplish this, replace enriched breads, pasta, cereals and snack foods in your diet with 100 percent whole grains, such as brown rice, barley, quinoa and air-popped popcorn.
Added Sugars
Added sugars, such as cane sugar, high fructose corn syrup and dextrose, add calories and sweetness, but few nutritional benefits to foods. Similar to enriched flour, added sugars can cause blood sugar spikes. Improving your blood sugar levels through dietary changes can put an end to heart palpitations, which are common among people with hyperthyroidism. The sweet taste of sugar may also increase your desire for additional sweet foods, increasing your risk for blood sugar imbalances and leaving less room in your diet for healthier fare, such as fruits and vegetables. Foods and beverages particularly high in added sugars include regular soft drinks, candy, pancake syrup, jelly/jam, fat-free frozen yogurt, cookies, cakes and pastries.
Red Meat
Red meat is high in saturated fat -- a fat form linked with high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Eating fewer red meats and more lean protein sources, such as coldwater fish and beans, may reduce hyperthyroidism symptoms. While red meat is considered pro-inflammatory, coldwater fish such as salmon, tuna, herring, halibut, trout and mackerel, may help reduce inflammation. Avoid processed, fried and high fat sauce-topped meats in particular, which contain additional unhealthy fats.
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Hydrogenated vegetable oil is used to add texture, flavor and preservation to a variety of commercially prepared foods. As top sources of trans fats, hydrogenated vegetable oil can damage your cholesterol levels and, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, worsen hyperthyroidism symptoms. Common sources of the unhealthy fat form include commercially prepared crackers, cookies, piecrusts, onion rings, doughnuts, shortening and margarine.
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