Can An Anti Inflammatory Diet Help Hypothyroidism

Anti inflammatory is a popular term these days! If you’re struggling to lose weight, or have a thyroid issue (like hypothyroidism), you’ve probably run across the term in your google searches. So, you’re probably wondering: can an anti inflammatory diet help hypothyroidism?

The good news is YES! Changing to an anti inflammatory diet can help lessen your hypothyroid symptoms. Just imagine having more energy everyday, finally being able to lose some weight, less brain fog, and feeling better overall. Wouldn’t that be great?!

But where do you even start?! If you’ve ever thought to yourself “can an anti inflammatory diet help hypothyroidism”, let’s dig in! Read on to take a closer look at anti inflammatory nutrition, how to get started, and how you can make it part of your life today.

What is An Anti Inflammatory Diet?

When you have hypothyroidism, you’re likely to have systemic inflammation. Much of the inflammation comes from your gut health, which is also compromised when you have hypothyroidism. Inflammation can look like difficulty losing weight, brain fog, low energy, hair loss, and more. So, the goal behind an anti inflammatory diet is to consume foods that can actually reverse inflammation in your body. 

Most of these foods are available at your local grocery store. Think colorful, fiber-filled veggies, whole fruits (especially berries), fatty fish, almonds and walnuts, and foods that are as unprocessed as possible. 

Many of these foods include antioxidants, fiber, and omega-3s. All of these help your body to fight inflammation, which is important if you are struggling with hypothyroidism.

Do I need an Anti Inflammatory Diet with Hypothyroidism?

If you have hypothyroidism, you might be willing to try anything to relieve your symptoms. (Honestly, how hard is it to lose a few pounds?!) The tricks you used in your 20s to lose weight and gain energy (restricting calories and mainlining caffeine), don’t work anymore.

If you have hypothyroidism (or Hashimotos), your body can definitely benefit from an anti inflammatory diet. Your thyroid is struggling to support your body, and you’re already battling systemic inflammation. If you’re eating processed foods, sugar, dairy, and gluten, you’re increasing inflammation in your body. This is adding fuel to the fire with your hypothyroid symptoms!

To reverse this challenging situation, it’s important to remove gluten, dairy, refined sugar, soy, corn, and alcohol. But let’s be honest, that’s a lot of things to take out of your current diet! And to do it all at once? Well, it’s going to be tough to be successful. However, once you start to remove things slowly, you’ll learn how your body adjusts without it. And when you realize that you’re finally feeling better, and the weight is starting to come off, that’s when the magic begins!

How To Start An Anti Inflammatory Diet

If you’ve done even a little bit of research on anti inflammatory diets, you’ve probably gotten very overwhelmed! Paleo. Whole30. AIP. How do you even know where to start?

In coaching my clients, and my 9+ years of personal experience (plus losing 55 lbs), I know that it’s best to start slow! A slow start builds strong roots. If you take your time in implementing a new way of eating, you’ll establish habits with your anti inflammatory diet that will be easy to keep for life.

In my own personal journey with an anti inflammatory diet, and because of the severity of my situation, I decided to start with the Autoimmune Protocol diet (AIP). This particular plan is incredibly restrictive. It takes out gluten, dairy, soy, refined sugar, corn, alcohol, nuts, seeds, nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, etc.), and more. (See what I mean? Talk about restrictive!) Plus, this approach introduces many new ingredients such as cooked liver, cooking with duck fat, new flours for baking, etc.

When I started the AIP diet, I had been diagnosed with Hashimotos and severe nutrient deficiencies. So, I ate this way for about 18 months. I did see tremendous results. But, to be honest, it was very difficult. Plus, it took a toll on my emotional health. I struggled with how to cook for my family, how to eat out, feeling “left out” of family functions that revolved around food. It was worth it, but the AIP diet is not meant to be a “forever” diet. I was glad to transition to something that I could work with every day.

As a health coach today, I don’t recommend this approach to many clients. There are easier ways to get started with an anti inflammatory diet. Plus, you can transition to something more intense, if your body needs that. By following a well-built plan that works for you and your family, removes inflammatory ingredients, and helps you to still enjoy food, you’ll see results very quickly!

What Can I Eat On an Anti Inflammatory Diet

I believe that with hypothyroidism you can start slow with an anti inflammatory diet, removing a few key foods that are most inflammatory. Keeping a food journal each day helps you to see how your body feels without those foods. Then you can take out a few more foods and evaluate again. (Click here to see the Top 10 anti inflammatory foods to eat!)

The biggest triggers for inflammation are gluten, dairy, and refined sugar. Even when you start by just removing gluten, you will see differences in your hypothyroid symptoms rather quickly (within a few weeks).

Interesting fact: it takes around 6 weeks for gluten to clear your body entirely! So, you need to be patient when you stop eating crackers and bread. It will take some time to see the results, so stick with it!

It is SO important to know that anti inflammatory food doesn’t need to taste boring or bland! Sure, it will take some time to get used to this way of eating, but you can get adjusted by using delicious recipes! (Click here to grab your FREE copy of my Gut Check Meal Plan, which includes recipes that I know you’ll love!)

Can an Anti Inflammatory Diet Help with Weight Loss

Many people discover that they have hypothyroidism, when they visit their doctor because they struggle to lose weight. This was exactly what led me to seek help! I had tried everything to lose weight, but the more I tried, the more weight I gained, and the worse I felt.

While an anti inflammatory diet isn’t designed specifically for weight loss, it’s usually a nice side effect! When you remove processed and unhealthy/inflammatory foods, and start eating more fruits and veggies, you’re naturally going to lose some weight.

Plus, by supporting your body with foods that fight inflammation, you’ll have less overall inflammation, bloating, and water retention. So, you’ll lose weight that way, too.

After eating an anti inflammatory diet for awhile, you’ll find that your body craves whole, nutrient-dense foods. You’ll have fewer cravings for sugar and other processed foods. And you’ll have more energy because your body is getting the nutrients it needs.

I truly believe that anti inflammatory nutrition is good for everyone, not just those of us with hypothyroidism!

Putting It All Together

Ok, so you think you’re ready to try an anti inflammatory diet? You’re probably wondering what your first step should be. Great question!

Start by finding a good plan. When you have a tried-and-tested plan for food, you’ll have to think less about it. This will make it easier to stick to your plan! 

I have the BEST plan for you! The free Gut Check 7-Day Meal Plan that you can grab right here! Filled with recipes like Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal, Sweet Potato Cookies, 20-Minute Korean Beef, and Easy Chicken Korma. These recipes have all been tested by my husband, 22 year old son, and 4 year old daughter – and they approve! I promise, your family will love these recipes, too!

Do you think (or know) you’re going to need more support, resources, and recipes? I work with women who are in your shoes! I offer additional support through workshops and intensive coaching programs, depending on the support you need. 

It takes 66 days to fully build a habit. So, finding the BEST plan and having a coach in your back pocket is going to help you be successful for the long-term. Curious how we might work together to reach your goals? Fill out this quick form and let’s talk!

An Anti Inflammatory Diet Works

Can an anti inflammatory diet help with hypothyroidism? It sure can! But, to be honest, it takes time to get used to an anti inflammatory diet. Trust me, it IS worth it! Thankfully, restaurants and grocery stores are getting much better about supporting those of us with food restrictions. Restaurants list ingredients, have added gluten- and dairy-free options, and can easily make substitutions.

Above all, remember that you likely started searching the internet for nutrition options because you don’t feel well. You’re exhausted all the time, have crazy brain fog, and can’t lose weight no matter what you try.

While an anti inflammatory diet is an adjustment, you’re doing it because you want to feel better! And you will!! It takes time, patience, and a willingness to find support to help you on this journey. 

Let me know in the comments below if you are going to use some of the tips from this article to get started with an anti inflammatory diet!