Jennifer watched her two sons in their soccer uniforms as they rough housed with each other. She didn’t have the energy to pick that battle and tell them to stop horsing around in the store, much less cook dinner for a family of five. Another night of barely four hours sleep, something that was becoming far too common, was making her drained, fatigued, and irritable, and she was starting to feel as if she looked like a cast member from The Walking Dead.
Is lack of sleep the only issue or is there an underlying undiscovered issue?
On those rare occasions when Jennifer slept well she still felt sluggish. She watched what she ate and tried to get her full share of vegetables and fiber but the ever growing weight around her waist was troubling. Let’s not even talk about the creeping depression. What the hell is goin’ on with me she wondered? Why am I having so much trouble with sleep and why why do I feel like sh*t so often?
Forty percent of the population suffers with some form of low thyroid
Does this sound like you? If so, it just might be your thyroid. According to many health experts, 40 percent of the population suffers with some form of low thyroid function, especially women, and many of them have yet to be diagnosed. This condition of low functioning thyroid is called Hashimoto’s Disease or hypothyroidism and can affect your energy levels, make you fatigued, and contribute to brain fog.
The thyroid’s role in the body is as important as the engine in your car
Hypothyroidism is the condition where the thyroid gland doesn’t correctly make or release thyroid hormones. The thyroid is responsible for releasing vital hormones that travel throughout the body to communicate with receptors. These receptors affect major systems in the body such as metabolism, sleep, heart function, appetite, digestion, energy, and even your skin and hair.
A healthy thyroid can seriously change the quality of your life
Imagine falling asleep easily and staying asleep throughout the night until it’s time to wake. Imagine no fatigue. Imagine losing weight after trying every diet known to man. Imagine a healthy metabolism burning unwanted belly fat. Imagine the energy to do every thing that needs to be done each day without having to fight for every minute of motion or thought. Imagine thinking clearly and not struggling to remember where you put your keys or what you were about to say to your boss. That’s what a healthy and fully functioning thyroid can help you do – and more.
Even if you’re not completely sure whether or not your thyroid has an issue (c’mon, up and at em, put procrastination aside and have your thyroid checked…”get her done”), there are foods that can be essential in feeding and healing that all important gland, the thyroid. Here are five top foods that can help your thyroid be the roaring engine it’s supposed to be.
Five healthy foods to heal your thyroid
- Bone broth has been a trendy food lately but way back in the day it was not an uncommon thing to have on the table. Your parents or grandparents probably had it as a kid. It’s one of my personal favorites and I can testify as to the difference it makes in my energy levels. Bone broth, whether chicken or beef contain amino acids that can help repair the body, as well as minerals which help with nutritional deficiencies you may have but do not know about. Bone broth can directly improve hypothyroidism, improve your immune system, lower joint pain, improve energy and fight fatigue.
- High fiber food is important for the overall function of the body, especially the gut, but it plays an important role in healing the thyroid as well. High fiber foods can help with digestion and often folks with thyroid issues suffer with constipation. High fiber foods will help alleviate constipation, balance blood sugar levels, improve heart health, and helps you to feel full thereby helping to support a healthy weight. Try to get about 30-40 grams a day by including leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, or collards. Also berries, beans, lentils, and vegetables will increase your fiber intake easily.
- Coconut Oil isn’t just good for your skin and hair but it’s a quality “good” fat that contains medium chain fatty acids. Coconut oil is easy to digest, nurtures the digestive system, has antioxidant properties, increases metabolism, improves brain function, enhances your mood, increases energy and fights fatigue. This is a staple in my daily life. I put it in my smoothies and it gives them a subtle, sweet coconut flavor. I also use it for cooking in almost everything I prepare.
- Wild Caught Fish is not only one of the best foods for your heart and your brain but it’s a super food for your thyroid and helps to balance hormones. Let’s just put a cape on it shall we? It contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which can scale back inflammation (all disease starts out as inflammation), and it supports neurological function as well. Try wild salmon (one of my favorites), black cod, mackerel, sardines, canned wild tuna ( Wild Planet is one of my favorites, once you try this you won’t want to go back to your regular tuna), and also halibut is a good option. Some of these can get a little pricey so look for deals at your local grocer.
- Clean Water may seem obvious but far too many of us are walking around dehydrated by consuming too much caffeine or sugary sodas, and, by just not drinking enough clean water. Every two hours drink eight ounces. Water will keep you hydrated which helps all systems in your body function at a higher level, but it also prevents constipation, helps to reduce cravings, moves toxins out of your body that can affect the thyroid, and increases energy. I like to put a slice of lemon in my water, it tastes good and it looks more exciting.
Give these top five healing foods a chance and within a few short weeks you’ll have a measurable difference in the way you feel. Your thyroid (and your thyroid hormones) will thank you. Cheers!
