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6 Foods That Negatively Affect Your Thyroid – What to Avoid or Limit

Your thyroid may be small—about the size of a butterfly at the base of your neck—but it plays a huge role in your overall health.

It controls metabolism, energy levels, mood, weight, and hormonal balance.
When the thyroid gland isn’t functioning properly—whether it’s underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism)—every system in the body is affected.

While medication is essential for thyroid disorders, diet can help—or make things worse.

Certain foods can disrupt thyroid function, interfere with hormone production, or worsen symptoms.

Here are 6 foods that can negatively impact your thyroid—and what to do instead.

❌  1.   Raw vegetables are goitrogenic

Hidden Thyroid Blockers

Food products worth paying attention to:

  • Raw kale, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, pak choi

These cruciferous vegetables contain   goitrogens   — compounds that can   interfere with iodine absorption   by the thyroid gland.

Iodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4).
Iodine blockage by goitrogens can   worsen hypothyroidism   and lead to   goiter   (enlargement of the thyroid gland).

 

✅  Good news:
cooking   deactivates most goitrogens  .
Steaming or boiling cruciferous vegetables reduces their goitrogenic activity by up to 90%.

🟢  Tip:
Enjoy these nutrient-rich vegetables—but   cook them   if you have hypothyroidism.
Eat raw vegetables in moderation if you’re healthy and eating a balanced diet.

❌  2.   Soy products (especially unfermented ones)

Hormone Mimic

Food products worth paying attention to:

  • Soy milk, tofu, edamame, soy protein isolate, soy sauce

Soy contains   isoflavones   (such as genistein), which are   phytoestrogens   — plant compounds that can:

 

  • Blocks thyroid peroxidase (TPO)  , an enzyme necessary for the production of thyroid hormones
  • Interferes with the absorption of thyroid medications
  • Increased risk of hypothyroidism  , especially in people with low iodine intake

This is particularly concerning in the case of:

  • People with   Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
  • People taking   levothyroxine   (wait 4 hours after taking the medication before consuming soy)

🟢  Tip:
Fermented soybeans (e.g.,   miso, tempeh, natto  ) are less problematic in moderation.
Limit your intake of unfermented soybeans if you have thyroid issues.

❌ 3.  Gluten