Cauliflower and broccoli? Cooked? Or ditch it?

divacat80

Hi you all!
I know soy products and broccoli are bad for thyroid function. But I didn't know that we have to avoid cauliflower as well.
Do we have to ditch them all? Or is it possible to eat them cooked without any future consequences?
I'm struggling to find cooked veggies that I like at this cold time of the year, and I love the cauliflower pizza crust. I had just started eating it once or twice a week because it tastes good and it's a good way to have my good veggie serving in a meal.

What do you guys know about this?

Thanks!

sometimes_blondie

I've heard that cooking them minimizes the goitrogenic effect on them. I've been avoiding them, but I LOVE cauliflower and broccoli!

islandmonkey

Normally I would say not to really worry about it, but you are just so hypo that I'd say skip the soy altogether and only eat cooked cauliflower and broccoli (and in small doses). At least until you can get your thyroid properly managed.

debbylee22

Cooked they are both fine. I eat lots of broccoli :happy:

divacat80

Thank you guys!!! I have a batch of cauliflower pizza that i really didn't want to throw away. I'll just get one slice per week until it's gone (it's in the freezer, of course)
I was so happy that i finally found a low GI recipe for my "no meat" days *sigh*

I'm avoiding soy and only having like two tablespoons per month.

Doodlewhopper

Good article

<<<There are two general categories of foods that have been associated with disrupted thyroid hormone production in humans: soybean-related foods and cruciferous vegetables. In addition, there are a few other foods not included in these categories - such as peaches, strawberries and millet - that also contain goitrogens. The table below shows a list of some foods that contain goitrogens.>>>

--http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=47

debbylee22

Thanks doodle for the article. It goes on to say that cooking helps & advise not to use excessively. Very good. :drinker:
>>
The effect of cooking on goitrogens

Although research studies are limited in this area, cooking does appear to help inactivate the goitrogenic compounds found in food. Both isoflavones (found in soy foods) and isothiocyanates (found in cruciferous vegetables) appear to be heat-sensitive, and cooking appears to lower the availability of these substances. In the case of isothiocyanates in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, as much as one third of this goitrogenic substance may be deactivated when broccoli is boiled in water.

Practical tips

Although for many people goitrogens do not seem to pose a health concern, certain individuals who have thyroid problems may be advised by their healthcare practitioner to limit excessive consumption of foods that contain these compounds. As cooking seems to help to inactivate the goitrogenic compounds found in food, it seems reasonable to conclude that for individuals with deficient thyroid hormone production, steaming of cruciferous vegetables like broccoli makes good sense, as does consumption of tofu in cooked versus raw form

fiberartist219

I think some folks have problems with these foods while others don't. I have heard of people saying they've felt sluggish for a few days after eating soy or broccoli, but personally, I could eat a whole bunch of broccoli and not have any problems.

I need all the veggies I can get, because the fiber helps my digestive system. I am not avoiding any of these foods. My suggestion is to proceed with caution.

divacat80

Thank you all and thank you Doodlewhopper for posting the article!
Spinach, strawberries, mustard and peanuts... I'm dead!!!

I do eat my spinach, and any veggie cooked, and I don't use any of them in raw salads. But I put strawberries and peanuts on my morning oatmeals.
That's bad news though I'll eat them all in moderation.

Thank you all for your help!