Hyperthyroidism Diet: Foods to Avoid and Eat

Introduction 

What you eat can help tame your thyroid. If you’ve been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, chances are you’ve heard about medications, tests, and maybe even surgery. But what about your diet? While food alone can’t cure an overactive thyroid, it can make a real difference in how you feel.

A thyroid that’s working overtime speeds up your metabolism, which can lead to weight loss, anxiety, sweating, and bone weakness. The right diet can help regulate hormone levels, reduce unwanted symptoms, and protect your bones, muscles, and heart in the long run.

In this blog, we break down the foods that support thyroid health, the ones to avoid, and how you can build a daily routine around nourishing meals.

Hyperthyroidism: An Overview

Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, occurs when the thyroid gland produces excessive thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), which affect energy utilisation, body temperature, and organ function. Graves’ disease is the most common cause. Symptoms include weight loss, anxiety, sweating, muscle weakness, and frequent bowel movements. Women are more likely to develop hyperthyroidism than men, especially between the ages of 20 and 50. Treatment includes antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine, or surgery. While diet cannot cure hyperthyroidism, certain foods may help manage symptoms alongside medical treatment.

How Does Diet Affect Hyperthyroidism?

Diet plays a crucial role in managing hyperthyroidism by supporting thyroid function and reducing symptoms. Certain foods, such as those rich in iodine, can exacerbate the condition, while others, like cruciferous vegetables, may help regulate thyroid hormone levels. A balanced diet that includes adequate protein, vitamins, and minerals can support overall health. While a diet alone cannot cure hyperthyroidism, making mindful food choices can complement medical treatments and enhance overall well-being.

Standard Treatment for Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is typically treated with antithyroid medications, radioactive iodine therapy, or surgery. Antithyroid drugs help reduce hormone production, while radioactive iodine destroys overactive thyroid cells. In severe cases, thyroid surgery may be necessary. Treatment choice depends on the patient’s condition, age, and severity of symptoms. Regular monitoring and medical guidance are essential for managing hyperthyroidism effectively.

Choose the Right Foods for Hyperthyroidism

There is no specific diet designed for hyperthyroidism. Eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins provides essential nutrients. It helps maintain a healthy body without consuming excessive calories.

Your healthcare provider may recommend specific vitamins and nutrients to include in your diet.  The best food for thyroid patients includes

• High in protein, iron, and Vitamins B
• Antioxidant-rich foods to help control appetite
• Include cruciferous foods to reduce excess thyroid hormone
• Consume foods to prevent weight loss and promote muscle development:
• Protein source for non-vegetarians – Lean meat

Here is a list of fruits that you can include in a hyperthyroidism diet:

Grapes, papaya, oranges, banana, strawberries, apples, kiwi, dates, watermelon, guava, pear, pomegranate. You can also include avocados, blueberries, raspberries, and peaches.

Vegetables that you can include  for thyroid patients are:

Cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli. Carrot, pumpkin, squash, cucumber, mushroom, lettuce, kale, mustard, and onion. Fenugreek leaves, coriander leaves.

Including these fruits in the diet chart for thyroid patients is essential. They help produce thyroid hormones, which are crucial for managing hyperthyroidism.

Diet Chart for a Hyperthyroid Patient

Meal timing	Diet
Early Morning (6:00-7:00 am)	Drink 1-2 glasses of water.
Breakfast (7:00 – 8:00 am)	Upma/ Idli/ Poha/ Sprout moong chila/ cauliflower paratha
Post Breakfast (10:00– 11:00 am)	1 cup Fruits (mango, apple, pear, pomegranate) /Coconut water/ handful nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews) / Sprouts.
Lunch (12:30- 1:30 pm)	Chapati, Rice/ veg pulao, Vegetable ( Lady’s finger/ bottle gourd/ bitter gourd/cauliflower/cabbage/Pumpkin/onion)  Dal ( Split moong dal/ split Masoor dal/ Toor Dal/ Chana Dal) Salad (Carrot/ Lettuce/ cucumber, Zucchini) Buttermilk. (Non-vegetarians can include Fish/ chicken/ shrimp curry)
Snacks (4:00 – 4: 30 pm)	Green tea/ Sprouts/ Small bowl of mixed nuts (Cashew, almonds, flax seed, sunflower seed)
Evening (before dinner at 7:00 pm)	Homemade soups- carrot soup, pumpkin soup, Lentil soup
Dinner (8:00-8:30 pm)	Roti, Vegetable ( Lady’s finger/ bottle gourd/ bitter gourd/cauliflower/cabbage/Pumpkin/onion) and Dal ( Split moong dal/ split Masoor dal/ Toor Dal/ Chana Dal) For (Non-vegetarians – Fish/ chicken/shrimp)

Foods to Eat If You Have Hyperthyroidism

1. Iodine: Keep It Low

Excess iodine can worsen hyperthyroidism by increasing hormone production. A low-iodine diet may help manage the condition.

Low-iodine food options:

• Non-iodized salt
• Tea or black coffee (without dairy or soy creamers)
• Egg whites
• Unsalted nuts and nut butters
• Homemade bread (without salt, eggs, or dairy)
• Popcorn with non-iodised salt
• Oats, potatoes, and maple syrup

2. Cruciferous Vegetables

Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and kale contain glucosinolates, which produce a mild goitrogenic effect, helping to slow thyroid hormone production.

Tips:

• Include raw or lightly steamed cruciferous veggies in salads.
• Avoid overcooking to retain nutrients and limit goitrogenic loss.
• Balance with other nutrients to avoid iodine deficiency.
  

3. Iron

Although ferritin levels may be high in hyperthyroidism, iron absorption can be impaired, leading to anaemia. Symptoms include fatigue and muscle weakness.

Iron-rich foods:

• Lean meats
• Legumes (beans, lentils)
• Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale)

4. Selenium

The thyroid has the highest selenium concentration of any organ. Selenium helps in thyroid hormone metabolism and supports immune function.

Selenium-rich foods:

• Seafood, eggs, garlic
  
• Broccoli, flax seeds, chia seeds
• Oatmeal, nuts, shiitake mushrooms
• Bananas (also provide antioxidants and anti-inflammatory support)

5. Zinc

Zinc is essential for thyroid hormone usage and immune regulation. Deficiency can worsen both hyper- and hypothyroidism.

Zinc-rich foods:

• Chickpeas, cashews
• Pumpkin seeds, mushrooms
• Lamb and lean meats
  

6. Potassium

Low potassium is common in hyperthyroidism and can cause muscle weakness.

Sources:

• Bananas
• Sweet potatoes
• Coconut water
• Leafy greens
  

7. Calcium

Hyperthyroidism reduces bone mineral density, increasing the risk of fractures.

Calcium-rich foods:

• Milk, curd/yoghurt, paneer
• Sesame, chia, and flax seeds
• Walnuts, peanuts
  

 Read more: What is the Best Age for a Calcium Supplement?

8. Phosphorus

Excess thyroid hormones can increase phosphorus loss through urine, affecting muscle and bone strength.

Phosphorus-rich foods:

• Chicken, organ meats, seafood
• Dairy products
• Pumpkin and sunflower seeds
• Amaranth, soybeans, lentils
  

Unlock the Power of Vitamins

Vitamin D: Low levels are linked to Graves’ disease. Vitamin D supports bone health, immunity, and calcium-phosphorus balance.

Sources:

• Mushrooms
• Fortified milk, yoghurt
• Fish, eggs, cereals
  

Read more: Symptoms and Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin B12: Hyperthyroidism accelerates metabolism, increasing the body’s need for B12.

B12-rich foods:

• Meat, fish, eggs, milk, cheese
• Bananas, strawberries, spinach
• Kidney beans
  

 Read more: Vitamin B Complex Deficiency – Causes and Symptoms

The Benefits of Eating Healthy Fats for Hyperthyroidism

Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are nutrients in fatty fish, such as wild salmon, trout, tuna, and sardines.Omega-3 fatty acids are abundant in flaxseeds and walnuts. They are beneficial for our body, including our thyroid gland.

Some oils contain compounds with anti-inflammatory properties (e.g., medium-chain triglycerides in coconut oil, phenolic compounds in olive oil or vitamin E in sunflower oil). In general, anti-inflammatory diets or components may support overall immunity, protect cells from damage and improve metabolic health, which could indirectly benefit people with autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Add Spice to your thyroid diet.

Turmeric

• Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These properties help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress associated with hyperthyroidism.

Other spices

• Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of green chillies and black pepper support thyroid function.

Foods to Avoid If You Have Hyperthyroidism

Eating a balanced diet is essential for people with hyperthyroidism, like everyone else. It means choosing foods for the thyroid that provide your body with the necessary nutrients.

Gluten

• Thyroid foods to avoid that contain gluten are maida (refined wheat flour), oats, wheat, and barley.
• It can worsen thyroid hormone production in people with hyperthyroidism.
• Gluten-free alternatives like rice, quinoa, and corn can be good options

Excess fibre

• Fibre is good for your health, but it is one of the thyroid foods to avoid if you have hyperthyroidism.
• Excessive dietary fibre from vegetables, fruits, beans, and legumes can affect the absorption of thyroid medication. These thyroid foods to avoid can interfere with the absorption of thyroid medication.

Excess iodine

• Iodine is a substance that makes the thyroid gland produce more thyroid hormones.
• But if someone consumes too much iodine, it can worsen their hyperthyroidism symptoms.
• Thyroid foods to avoid usually contain high iodine. They include-

1. Iodised salt
2. Dairy products (butter, milk chocolate, cheese, ice cream, and yoghurt)
3. Seafood (seaweed, fish, shellfish, sushi)
4. Supplements containing iodine

Read more: Iodine Deficiency: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Soy

• It is very tempting to try flavoured soy milk, thinking it’s tasty and healthy. If you have hyperthyroidism, it’s the best food to avoid for thyroid patients.
• Soy milk, tofu, and soy sauce affect hyperthyroidism treatments like radioactive iodine therapy.
• Commercial soy milk is often sweetened with added sugar to enhance its taste. So, if you have hyperthyroidism, avoid soy-containing foods to help manage your condition.

Processed Food

• In hyperthyroidism, limit your intake of processed or fried foods, as they can worsen symptoms.
• Certain foods to avoid, such as biscuits, noodles, pasta, and pastries, can cause inflammation of the thyroid gland. This inflammation can disrupt the thyroid’s normal functioning.

Caffeine

• Most of us love having morning coffee before starting our everyday work. Caffeine can make you feel more awake and energised, especially when stressed.
• Caffeine causes rapid heartbeat, tremors, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping in people with hyperthyroidism.
• Caffeine can also interfere with how your body absorbs the thyroid medication. That’s why cutting back on caffeine is ideal if you have hyperthyroidism.
• Caffeine alternatives include natural herbal teas, flavoured water, or hot apple cider.

Read more: Does Coffee and Caffeine Cause Anxiety?

Alcohol

• People who consume alcohol are at a higher risk of having hyperthyroidism. Alcohol suppresses the production of thyroid hormones, which can disturb the hormonal balance.
• Alcohol has other toxic effects on the body that can make the situation even more critical.

Read more: Tips to Overcome Alcohol Addiction

Conclusion

Your bones, heart, digestion, and energy levels all feel the impact of hyperthyroidism. That’s where food comes in—not as a cure, but as a daily tool to manage symptoms and feel more in control.

Focus on low-iodine, whole foods that include key nutrients like calcium, selenium, and vitamin D. Be cautious with ingredients that can interfere with your treatment.

Expert opinion 

Think of your diet as a supportive partner in managing hyperthyroidism. Good nutrition can help stabilise your energy, protect your bones, and prevent complications, especially when combined with the right treatment plan.

– Dr. Lakshmi Vaswani

Talk to your doctor or a dietitian about customising a diet that works for your condition and lifestyle. And remember—small, consistent changes can make a big difference over time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)