Managing Thyroid Issues The Eat Burn Sleep Way
Do you have hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s or Graves’ Disease? If so, this is the right place to begin your journey toward better health.
Thyroid conditions are increasingly common and closely linked to chronic inflammation. Whether autoimmune or not, imbalances in thyroid function can affect energy, metabolism, digestion, mood, weight, and hormonal stability.
At the root of the Eat Burn Sleep method is a commitment to reducing inflammation through food, movement, and lifestyle—helping the body return to balance naturally.
Many members with Hashimoto’s, Graves’ Disease, or non-autoimmune thyroid dysfunction have reported significant improvements in their symptoms after adopting the Eat Burn Sleep lifestyle. One long-term member shared that her thyroid nodules had decreased significantly, to the point that her doctor was genuinely surprised. Others have experienced better energy, improved digestion, balanced hormones, and easier weight management.
One member living with Graves’ Disease shared that she is now in the best shape of her life, thanks to the anti-inflammatory food, movement, and lifestyle protocols. The method supports not only thyroid health but also the skin, gut, liver, and immune system, creating benefits across the board.
This focus on thyroid health is personal for Yalda Alaoui, founder of Eat Burn Sleep, a Nutritional Therapist, and a pioneer in inflammation management. Her mother lives with Hashimoto’s, and witnessing her experience inspired Yalda to explore the deep links between inflammation, genetics, and autoimmune conditions.
Though Yalda herself hasn’t developed Hashimoto’s, she carries the autoimmune gene, something that launched her mission to understand and manage inflammation through lifestyle. Her research and lived experience have shaped the comprehensive method now helping thousands of people globally.
Hypothyroidism Case Study
Victoria was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 2019. She figured it had probably been going on for quite
As part of the Premium Membership, the Thyroid Healing section provides focused, practical guidance to support thyroid function and overall well-being. It covers which foods to avoid and which to prioritise, the best forms of gentle movement to support hormonal health, recommended supplements, and effective relaxation and meditation techniques. Members also gain access to a Liver Detox Plan designed to assist with hormone and thyroid balance. In addition, the platform includes related advice on Bloating, IBS, Hormonal Imbalance, Weight Loss, Headaches, and more, recognising that thyroid issues often overlap with these symptoms.
You’re Not Alone
Eat Burn Sleep is a platform built on education and empowerment. From masterclasses to expert advice, it offers tools that allow people to support their health consistently and confidently.
The testimonial filter allows you to explore the many success stories specifically related to thyroid health, offering encouragement and proof that healing is possible.
When you join, Yalda and the EBS team are here to guide and support you every step of the way.
Underactive and Overactive Thyroid, Hashimoto’s & Graves
Many factors can cause a disrupted thyroid function. Whether you have autoimmune Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease or not, it will be helpful to follow an anti-inflammatory diet to support your thyroid function.
On top of the advice in the Six Week Reset, here are a few extra tips that will help you refine the general anti-inflammatory advice for this specific issue. It is important to support your thyroid function either way, as people with hyperthyroid function can subsequently experience hypothyroidism.
A healthy thyroid is vital for a well-functioning body and mind.
Many people experience issues with their thyroid, the gland that controls metabolism (conversion of oxygen and calories to energy). The thyroid converts iodine from food into thyroid hormones, T3 and T4. T3 and T4 are then released into the bloodstream and are transported throughout the body, where they control metabolism.
In a nutshell, a good thyroid function is essential for good metabolism. So, whether you have issues or not with your thyroid, keep an eye on those thyroid levels and keep everything in check.
Nutrition
Iodine Is Needed For Thyroid Function
Iodine has a major significance in the production of thyroid hormones, T3 and T4, as well as the thyroid-stimulating hormone. Thyroid cells absorb iodine and combine it with the amino acid tyrosine to create T3 and T4.
Since the human body cannot produce iodine, primary sources are the food and supplements you take.
Increasing foods that are good sources of iodine can be beneficial, but you should not do this if you are taking thyroid extract medication.
Foods rich in iodine include:
- Seaweed/sea vegetables (all types)
- Seafood (shellfish, oysters, crab, shrimp, etc.)
- All fish
- Egg yolks (contain selenium and iodine)
- Animal-based protein
- Chicken
- Sea salt. Pink Himalayan salt doesn’t contain as much iodine as sea salt.
Other halogens like bromine, fluorine, and chlorine can mimic iodine and prevent it from producing T3 and T4. So, avoid:
- Pre-washed salads (they may have been washed in chlorine)
- Chlorinated swimming pools
- Toothpaste with fluoride
- White flour packaged processed bread – containing bromine
See Yalda’s Instagram post on the above!
Selenium Supports Thyroid Function
Selenium is another micronutrient that supports thyroid function. Wang et al. (2023).
Aside from metabolism and growth-related physiological processes, the thyroid gland is also involved in the antioxidant systems. Thyroid cells help catalyze ROS (reactive oxygen species), preventing cell damage.
Like iodine, you can get selenium from animal-based protein foods, certain nuts, and seafood.
Selenium-rich foods:
- spinach
- chicken
- all poultry
- Eggs
- Tuna, halibut, sardines, and shrimp
- cashews
- bananas
- Brazil nuts
- mushrooms.
Avoid Goitrogenic Foods
Avoid goitrogenic foods:
- raw kale, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, and Chinese cabbage. They contain goitrogens that may disrupt the thyroid if consumed in large quantities. However, cooking these veggies reduces goitrogen levels by a third. You can have them cooked in moderate amounts, but avoid them in their raw form. Kale smoothies aren’t so good for your thyroid, basically! Generally, one tends to consume more kale in a smoothie than in solid form, so be careful here.
- radishes
- horseradish
- rutabagas
- collard greens
- Cassava, lima beans, linseed, sweet potato. Again, cooking these can reduce their goitrogen levels. If you do choose to eat these vegetables, then limit the amount to a total serving of one cup cooked per day.
Limit Soy Consumption
Avoid foods with soy as they contain isoflavones. Products include soymilk, tofu, edamame, and miso. The Eat Burn Sleep lifestyle is about moderation, so do not over-obsess. You can have a little soy sauce with your sashimi, as the quantities are small, but avoid soy milk as the amounts consumed tend to be significant, and they impact your health! Having one miso soup when you eat Japanese food is fine, but try not to cook with miso daily.
Consume Vitamin A & C-rich Foods
- Vitamin A-rich foods include sweet potato, bell peppers, butternut squash, kiwi, papaya, spinach, carrots, eggs, tomatoes, melon, mango, and salmon.
- Vitamin C-rich foods include strawberries, kiwi, lemon, grapefruit, tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, and small potatoes. Eastman & Zimmermann (2018). & Far et al. (2023). Ensure the broccoli, sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage are cooked first to reduce their goitrogen levels.
Avoid Gluten
Hypothyroidism and celiac disease are often diagnosed together. Following the Eat Burn Sleep meal planning guidelines will help! Again, it does not matter if soy sauce contains gluten, as the amount is minimal. Remember that it is not about perfection but about damage limitation.
Watch Your Intake of Fat
Fats may also interfere with the thyroid’s ability to produce hormones. Some healthcare professionals recommend that you cut out all fried foods and reduce your intake of fats from sources such as butter, mayonnaise, margarine, and fatty cuts of meat. Adhering to the Eat Burn Sleep meal planning guidelines will help you consume adequate amounts of healthy fats and support liver detoxification for improved hormonal function.
Essential Fats at Every Meal
Essential fats at every meal are key, as they make cell receptors more sensitive to the thyroid hormone.
- Olive oil
- Avocado
- Flax seeds
- Fish oil
- Nuts
Include Good Carbs In Your Diet
Make sure to include good carbs in your diet. Very low-carb diets are known for lowering thyroid function. Keep good sources of carbs like sweet potatoes, butternut squash, Jerusalem artichokes, carrots, jicama, yams, plantain, bananas, and berries in your diet.
Consume Tea & Coffee In Moderation
Consume tea and coffee in moderation, as they interfere with thyroid function and raise cortisol. Again, the coffee advice applies here. Limit your intake to 2 espresso shots a day, even if you are tired. If you are taking thyroid replacement therapy, follow the guidance regarding coffee and your medication.
It’s advisable not to drink caffeinated fizzy drinks.
Alcohol Can Be A Disruptor
Avoid too much alcohol. Alcohol consumption can wreak havoc on both thyroid hormone levels in the body and the ability of the thyroid to produce hormones. The alcohol consumption advice in the treat system is moderate and will allow you to have fun without damaging your system.
Iron Deficiency
Check your iron status. Have a blood test. It’s important not to take a supplement without a blood test.
Avoid Chlorine, Fluorine & Bromine
Iodine reacts similarly in the body as Chlorine, Fluorine, and Bromine as they are all halogen elements. It is best to lower the consumption of products with Chlorine and Fluorine as they can potentially impair the formation of T3 and T4 in the thyroid. You can:
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- Switch to fluoride-free toothpaste
- Avoid pre-washed / pre-packed salads and vegetables (generally washed in Chlorine)
- Avoid swimming in pools (high in chlorine, which gets absorbed through the skin)
- Bromine is found in flour and certain sodas. By following the food advice, you will naturally be avoiding bromine-rich foods.
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Lifestyle
Use Heat Or Cold Therapy
Use saunas, / steam rooms, and/ cryotherapy to your advantage, but make sure to follow the advice that comes with them first.
If you suffer from low thyroid function, saunas and steam rooms can support your system, but avoiding cold therapy such as cryotherapy and cold baths is best.
Likewise, cryotherapy or cold baths can support people with hyperthyroidism, and they should avoid heat therapy (saunas and steam rooms).
I always favor natural saunas over infrared saunas as they have been around for much longer, and we know their effects in the long run.
Avoid:
Anything that may shock your body and raise your cortisol levels, which includes:
- Intermittent fasting
- Fasting for more than 12 hours
- A very low-carb diet, such as the Keto diet
- Hard workouts
Keeping Regular Bowel Movements
If you suffer from constipation due to hypothyroidism, make sure to walk daily, as it helps with gut motility and regular bowel movements.
You can also have magnesium salts in the evening, which helps loosen the bowels.
Another good tip is to mix 1 or 2 tablespoons of flaxseeds with a bit of water in a glass before going to bed. Place it in the fridge and have the mixture first thing upon waking with a large glass of water. Drink more tea / herbal tea and wait 30 minutes before eating.
Reduce Stress Using the Tools on the Platform
Remember to breath
Breathing techniques are good for reducing stress in your mind and body. Check out the breathing technique video in the Meditation section.
Stimulate your vagus nerve by humming, chanting, or singing. It aids in reducing inflammation, stress reduction, and digestion.
An evening meditation bath will help in keeping cortisol levels low, which is important for your thyroid function. If you do not have a bath, put magnesium flakes in a foot bath and relax your feet. The benefits of the magnesium will penetrate your skin for relaxation.
Movement
Regular movement has been shown to regulate t3 and t4. Include walking, swimming, or any gentle exercise and any of the anti-inflammatory movements.
Include one of the EBS movements in the morning to mitigate the morning cortisol spike.
Practice Some Inversions
If you do yoga, inversions are wonderful for supporting thyroid function. An inversion is when your heart is higher than your head. For example, a downward dog, a shoulder stand, a headstand, or even having your leg up a wall works. This allows the blood to come back towards the head and is a nourishing pose for the thyroid. It also supports the lymphatic system and, consequently, hormonal health!
Check out the Masterclass on Thyroid Health for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. Chronic inflammation can lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and consequently increases the risk of strokes. Following an anti-inflammatory lifestyle can help soften the arteries and support cardiovascular health.
Do I need to cook while on the EBS Lifestyle?
Not necessarily. You can absolutely eat out by following the Eating Out Guide. This Lifestyle isn’t about perfection — it’s about damage limitation. And if you do want to cook at home, the recipes are simple, approachable, and designed for all skill levels.
Can you eat out while following the EBS Lifestyle?
Yes. There is an Eating Out section on the Eat Burn Sleep platform that will help you choose the best cuisines and the healthiest dishes on the menu when you are eating out.
Is the EBS Lifestyle suitable for me whilst pregnant?
Yes. Many women have used this lifestyle for fertility, during pregnancy, and afterward. Following this lifestyle during pregnancy has many benefits, and there is special personalized advice for Pregnancy & Postpartum. Check it with your doctor first, of course. Stick to your doctor’s supplements advice.
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