3 Foods Essential For Adrenal and Thyroid Health

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When it comes to feeding our bodies whole foods are best. God perfectly created the earth and an abundance of natural food sources. At Faithful Workouts we believe:

1. God created our bodies

2. God created food

3. Eat what God created in it’s most natural state

We often think our diet doesn’t matter because we can always pop a pill.  The Mayo Clinic website shared this regarding whole foods vs. supplements.

“The Dietary Guidelines for Americans states that your nutritional needs should be met primarily through your diet. Supplements aren’t intended to substitute for food. They can’t replicate all of the nutrients and benefits of whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Whole foods offer three main benefits over dietary supplements: Greater nutrition, essential fiber and protective substances. Vitamins and minerals are being added to a growing number of foods, including breakfast cereals and beverages. If you’re also taking supplements, you may be getting more than you realize of certain nutrients. Taking more than you need is expensive and can raise your risk of side effects.“

You may need to add supplements to your diet but we should always look to whole foods to give our bodies what they need and only when necessary add vitamins. Synthetic vitamins are processed and can confuse the body’s natural ability to break down and process them.

So many people are dealing with thyroid and adrenal fatigue issues while you should always consult a doctor when it comes to your health don’t ever discount or disregard how important a healthy diet plays in how you feel.

Here are 3 whole foods that can support your adrenal and thyroid health.

1. Did you know that just 4 Brazil nuts per day can give your body the amount of selenium it needs for your thyroid gland to function properly? They are also a great source of iron and a powerful antioxidant to help your body fight off illnesses.

2. Kale is king when it comes to a superfood and it’s one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. It also happens to be very high in Vitamin C. Why is this important? Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant directly involved in the production of cortisol in your adrenals. So besides the other health benefits, it boosts your immune system and protects you from illness and disease, it is also an essential building block for the recovery of your adrenal glands. A 1/2 cup of kale has a whopping 40.2mg of Vitamin C.

I get it, Kale may not be your idea of a yummy meal or snack on it’s own but that doesn’t mean you write it off. Put it in a smoothie, add some finely chopped pieces to a bigger salad or add it to your favorite quiche recipe.

3. Avocado is a healthy fat essential for adrenal health. Getting enough healthy fat in your diet helps to balance hormone levels and keep blood sugar stable, which is crucial for adrenal health. Try snacking on 1/3 of a sliced avocado with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt or start your day with the best breakfast ever: organic thin sliced toast topped with mashed avocado, chopped hard-boiled egg, a dash of sea salt and cracked pepper.

You can combine these two superfoods for an amazing body fueling Avocado Kale Salad!

INGREDIENTS:

1 Avocado cut up and diced (pit and shell removed)
3 Cups shredded kale (Rib removed)
2 Tbsp olive oil
Juice of 1/2 large lemon
Salt to taste
Parmesan ribbons

INSTRUCTIONS:
First, remove the ‘rib’ of the kale. To remove the rib or hard stem from kale simply fold the kale in half then use a sharp knife to cut along the side of the rib. Discard rib. If you are someone who juices you can use the kale rib in your juicer. Cut the leaves of the kale into bite-sized pieces and put in a bowl. Add diced avocado, olive oil, lemon and salt and stir. Using a potato peeler, shave ribbons of Parmesan cheese on top (I love the look of the ribbons compared to grated Parmesan on this salad). Serve and enjoy!

If we want optimal health it is SO important that we eat whole foods and limit processed foods and added sugar. Nothing will derail a healthy diet faster than sugar and additives. Whole food sources with the very least amount of processing is how to best nourish our bodies just the way God intended!