A nutritionist has identified key foods that can help support thyroid function and prevent iodine deficiency, a common issue leading to weight gain and chronic diseases. These recommendations come as doctors emphasize the importance of listening to the body’s signals and proactively addressing health concerns through proper nutrition and lifestyle adjustments.

Thyroid health is crucial because insufficient thyroid function, or hypothyroidism, can lead to weight gain, swelling, increased risk of type 2 diabetes, and decreased energy, immunity, and intellectual activity. According to nutritionist Tatyana Selezneva, these problems arise from a lack of essential substances in food and water needed for the synthesis of thyroxine, the main thyroid hormone.

The hormone thyroxine regulates protein, carbohydrate, fat, and water-salt metabolism. To maintain healthy thyroxine levels, incorporating iodine-rich foods into the diet is essential.

The nutritionist recommends including the following foods to support thyroid gland function:

• Sea fish and seafood
• Seaweed
• Persimmons, feijoa, apples, lemons
• Red meat and white poultry meat
• Cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt
• Oatmeal (from whole grains)
• Almonds, walnuts, sesame seeds
• Legumes
• Green vegetables, especially onions and spinach
• Honey

These foods contain a range of nutrients beneficial for the thyroid, including iodine, iron, selenium, magnesium, vanadium, copper, the amino acid tyrosine (from protein), and vitamins C, E, D, B vitamins, and A.

The nutritionist advises undergoing annual medical examinations and blood tests to monitor thyroid hormone levels.