What foods does Hashimoto serve?

Find out at ruut.de why the Paleo diet is beneficial for this disease - we give tips.

Unfortunately, Hashimoto – what sounds like a social Asian board game or a new Japanese car brand is actually a chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland caused by the body's immune system. Women between the ages of 30 and 50 are particularly affected by this autoimmune disease. Since the symptoms are often associated with the onset of menopause, this inflammation of the thyroid gland and its symptoms are often mistakenly equated with menopausal symptoms. It has been proven, however, that the tendency towards Hashimoto is often in the genes. Although the disease is not traditionally inherited, relatives of those affected are more likely to be susceptible than the general population.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis , as the disease is fully and correctly called, unfortunately very rarely resolves spontaneously, but more often entails the need for lifelong intake of thyroid hormones. At the beginning of the disease, the typical symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland can often occur, such as weight loss, hair loss, sweating and muscle weakness. As the disease progresses, the picture often reverses, and hypothyroidism (= lack of thyroid hormones) sets in with opposing symptoms such as lack of drive, weight gain, hoarseness, memory problems and fatigue. However, these effects can be kept in check with a certain nutritional concept, with special foods at Hashimoto's. On the contrary, with the correct and permanent change in diet, for example to the Paleo principle, the body is optimally supplied with nutrients and the possibly acquired and existing fitness is maintained. However, it is important to avoid certain foods altogether if possible. These include, among others:

• sugary drinks and foods
• Cereals (e.g. all white flour products)
• soy
• fried foods
• fatty meat
• tomatoes
• paprika
• Potatoes (but sweet potatoes are expressly “allowed”)
• eggplants
• legumes
• Dairy products

Especially with Hashimoto, a consistently wheat-free diet can lead to fewer complaints and thus a better quality of life: Wheat contains the gluten protein, to which many Hashimoto sufferers react with intolerance (= digestive problems). Unfortunately, there are hardly any foods that do not contain this grain: it is found, for example, in conventional bread, rolls, pasta, cakes, biscuits, pizza, etc.

Intestinal problems, allergies and skin blemishes are often the side effects of consuming dairy products if there is a lactose intolerance/milk protein intolerance , which is often the case with Hashimoto because it is a disease of the immune system. If you leave out milk & co., you often get immediate relief. You can find gluten-free recipes here at our partner of the same name.

Foods such as nightshade plants (e.g. potatoes, peppers, eggplant) should also be avoided with Hashimoto's as they can bind to the gut with their compounds, the lectins and alkaloids, causing digestive problems and causing ongoing inflammation. It is also important to take tomatoes off the menu, because they obviously contribute to inflammation - a finding from the treatment of joint pain and rheumatism.

Grocery at Hashimoto: Paleo offers a healthy alternative

But how should you eat if the three nutritional pillars of grain (wheat), dairy products and sugar are no longer available? What else can sufferers eat?

In order to offer the body a sufficient nutrient content, it is best to mainly access the following foods:

• low-sugar fruits and vegetables
• Berry
• Organic fish/meat, other animal products
• nuts
• roots and tuber vegetables
• seed

All of these are products that our ancient ancestors (exclusively) fed on: These foods, which were available in the Stone Age, form the basis of the Paleo diet, also known as the "Stone Age diet". This is a largely natural diet that is based on the presumably original diet of hunters and gatherers. As mentioned, these include meat, fish, seafood, vegetables, fruit and nuts. The idea behind it: Our organism has been adapted to this type of food for 2.5 million years, so digestibility and utilization are no longer problems. Consequently, food such as cereals, legumes, sugar, milk or milk products are completely avoided in Stone Age nutrition. Foods made from cereals, such as bread or pasta (wheat), are taboo. If possible, it is also important to avoid all industrially processed foods, because these were not available to our ancestors from the Palaeolithic Age either. The advantage of the Paleo diet is that the body is supplied with nutrients that it can process perfectly: Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, and both contain a lot of fiber and minerals. Meat, fish and eggs not only provide high-quality protein, but also the trace elements and vitamins that are so important. You can find a variety of Paleo recipes here with us or on this Paleo360° page.

Exactly this nutritional concept, like the similar AIP diet (autoimmune protocol) that is limited to 30 days, ensures the optimal selection of food at Hashimoto. Flour from the manioc fruit is recommended as an alternative to grain flour. With this product, which is completely gluten-free and full of fiber and energy, wonderfully fragrant and delicious-tasting rolls, pancakes and cakes can be created, because it can be processed almost like wheat flour. The cassava root is reminiscent of our potato and also has a similarly high proportion of starch. The gluten-free cassava flour alone has 77 grams of starch per 100 grams of flour. The taste is described differently - some find it rather neutral, others are enthusiastic about its slightly perceived sweetness. However, everyone agrees that foods made from cassava flour at Hashimoto's are very versatile, tasty and varied.

Incidentally, Paleo not only includes the diet described above, but your own lifestyle should also be considered in this context: Eight hours of sleep a day if possible for a healthy immune system are just as important as plenty of exercise in the fresh air and stress reduction with appropriate exercises , meditation and a lot of mindfulness for oneself and one's environment additionally supports the positive effects of Stone Age nutrition. You can find out more about a healthy and balanced lifestyle on the website of our partner flowGrade .

Do you have further questions? About sensible foods at Hashimoto? Or specifically the Paleo diet? Then use our email address info@ruut.de . We look forward to getting in touch with you.