When your thyroid is struggling, your whole life feels like it’s stuck in molasses — slow, foggy, and frustratingly off. From weight gain that won’t budge to the exhaustion that no nap can fix, hypothyroidism is more than a hormone problem — it’s a life interruption.
But here’s the empowering truth: while you can’t always control the diagnosis, you can control your daily choices.
As someone who put her Hashimoto’s into remission (yes, remission!) through lifestyle changes, I’m here to share five things to avoid if you’re serious about healing your thyroid — with warmth, real-life experience, and no fluff.
🚫 1. Avoiding Iodine Altogether (But Also Overloading It)
There’s a fine line between deficiency and excess when it comes to iodine. Your thyroid needs it — but too much can trigger autoimmune flares, especially if you have Hashimoto’s.
✔ What to do: Use iodine mindfully. Sea vegetables like dulse or nori (in moderation) can be helpful. Always test levels before supplementing — guessing isn’t healing.
🧁 2. Refined Sugar: The Thyroid’s Silent Saboteur
Sugar doesn’t just wreck your waistline — it fuels inflammation, spikes cortisol, and messes with hormone conversion.
✔ What to do: Swap in natural sweeteners like monk fruit or raw honey in moderation. And yes, I have some crockpot-friendly sweet recipes in Hashimoto’s Crockpot Recipes if you need healing comfort food without the crash.
🥛 3. Dairy & Gluten: The Dynamic Duo of Dysfunction
Gluten and dairy look innocent on the plate but can act like villains in your gut, especially for thyroid warriors. They’re often linked to leaky gut, which messes with hormone absorption.
✔ What to do: Try a 30-day elimination and reintroduction to see how your body responds. Many with hypothyroidism (myself included) have found tremendous relief in cutting both.
☕ 4. Overcaffeinating to “Push Through” the Fatigue
We get it — you’re exhausted, and coffee feels like survival. But too much caffeine spikes cortisol, exhausts your adrenals, and creates an energy rollercoaster that worsens thyroid fatigue.
✔ What to do: Swap one cup a day for an adrenal-supporting herbal tea like ashwagandha, holy basil, or licorice root (check with your doc if you’re on meds). You’re not lazy — you’re healing.
🧴 5. Toxic Products Lurking in Your Home
From your shampoo to your nonstick pans, endocrine disruptors are everywhere. BPA, parabens, phthalates — these chemicals mess with your thyroid and mimic estrogen, throwing your hormones off balance.
✔ What to do: Start small. Choose glass over plastic. Switch to non-toxic cleaners and beauty products. My book Fresh & Fabulous Hypothyroidism Body Balance walks you through DIY options that won’t break the bank.
Bonus Tip: Healing Takes Time… and Grit
Don’t believe the overnight miracle stories. Real healing — the kind that lasts — comes from learning your body, giving it what it truly needs, and avoiding what steals your spark.
And I promise you this:
You’re not broken.
You’re becoming.
Recommended Reads by A.L. Childers:
📘 Reset Your Thyroid: 21-Day Meal Plan to Reset Your Thyroid
🍲 Hashimoto’s Crockpot Recipes
🧼 Fresh & Fabulous Hypothyroidism Body Balance
Explore all titles on my Amazon Author Page
…and if you’re looking for a Southern truth-teller with a thyroid warrior’s heart, I’m your girl.
Disclaimer:
This blog is not medical advice. Always consult with a licensed healthcare professional before making changes to your health plan, especially if you’re on thyroid medication. I’m sharing what worked for me as a journalist, researcher, and survivor.
About the Author
A.L. Childers is a nationally published author, health advocate, and proud Gen X Southern mama who beat the odds (and the fatigue) by healing her thyroid naturally. She writes with humor, hope, and a dose of sass at TheHypothyroidismChick.com.
#HypothyroidHealing #HashimotosWarrior #ThyroidReset #CleanLiving #AutoimmuneAwareness #ALChildersBooks #ThyroidSupport #TheHypothyroidismChick
