Medically reviewed by
Natalie Bessom, D.O. Board-certified family medicine doctor with specialty training in nutrition, USA
Although there is no specific diet that magically will cure a thyroid condition, making healthy food choices will help you feel better, minimize flare ups, and benefit your health overall. Fortunately, there are tons of thyroid friendly recipes out there that can cater to your specific dietary needs.
With Valentine’s day quickly approaching, here are 4 romantic thyroid friendly recipes covers everything from your welcome cocktail through dessert.
Wow your special guest with a 3 course meal and drink that is both healthy and delicious!
Welcome Drink: Pomegranate Punch Mocktail
Greet your guests at the door with this delicious and flavorful thyroid friendly mocktail. This pomegranate punch mocktail not only fits the Valentine’s Day theme, it’s something that your guests will love to say “cheers” to!
The main ingredients for this funky mocktail are: pomegranate juice, orange juice, lemon juice, ice, and sea salt.
Pomegranates are not only packed full of nutrients but they also help reduce inflammation and promote healthy digestion. They contain loads of antioxidants and vitamin C as well. The orange and lemon juice are also fantastic thyroid friendly immune boosters that provide another dose of vitamin C.
You can rim your glass with some sea salt to give it that margarita vibe and help balance out the sweetness.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup pomegranate juice (such as POM Wonderful, no added sugar)
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice (no sugar added)
- Juice of 1 lemon (plus a slice for garnish, optional)
- Ice
- 1 tbsp sea salt for dipping
Instructions:
- Add electrolytes or salt to a plate and wet the rim of your serving glass with a little water or lemon juice
- Dip the rim, swirling to coat in the salt/electrolytes
- Pour pomegranate, orange, and lemon juices in your glass and fill the rest of your cup with Ice. Optionally add one lemon slice, and serve
Appetizer: Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
Start your night off with this easy 4 ingredient appetizer. These thyroid friendly prosciutto wrapped asparagus are AIP friendly, Dairy Free, Egg Free, and Nut Free. The presentation of these are elevated and hit the spot for a delicious savoury dish.
Asparagus is low in calories and packed full of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants such as vitamin K, A, and C. They also contain a high amount of fibre that is essential for good digestive health.
The 4 ingredients that you need are: asparagus, yellow onion, prosciutto, salt. Your low-maintenance yet fancy and romantic dinner appetizer is ready in just under 30 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb asparagus
- ½ yellow onion
- ⅓ lb prosciutto
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions:
- Rinse and cut asparagus into 4 inch pieces
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- Place a piece of prosciutto on a plate
- Lay 4 asparagus spears and a few slices of onion on top
- Roll up the prosciutto around the asparagus and onion.
- Place rolls in a glass baking dish, and bake at 400°F for 15–20 minutes, or until the prosciutto gets crispy and the asparagus begins to turn golden brown at the tips
- Serve
Main Course: Chicken Florentine
For your main course, Chicken Florentine is a classic and comforting dish that is actually quite easy to make. Plus, if your schedule is a bit packed, you can make this ahead of time and easily reheat it over the stove.
This is a thyroid friendly recipe that’s Paleo, AIP, Whole30, and Keto friendly and takes just 30 minutes to make. The main ingredients are: chicken breast, yellow onion, full fat coconut milk, chicken broth, and fresh spinach.
The spinach is packed full of vitamins and minerals like vitamin E and magnesium which are essential for a healthy thyroid. Coconut milk contains anti-inflammatory properties called monolaurin that can also help boost your immune system.
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp sea salt, divided
- 3 tbsp coconut oil (or oil of choice), divided
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, minced
- 1 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar or lemon juice
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp ground thyme
- 1/4 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tbsp arrowroot starch or tapioca starch
- 2 tbsp water
- 3-4 cups fresh spinach
Instructions:
- Sprinkle the chicken on both sides with ~1/2 tsp salt (maybe slightly less depending on the size of the chicken breasts)
- Heat 1-2 tbsp oil in a pan over medium-high heat, give it a minute to get hot. Add the chicken to the pan. Cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from the pan and set aside
- In the same pan, leaving any little extra toasty chicken bits in, heat 1-2 tbsp of oil over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until they are translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the broth and vinegar- this will help to deglaze the pan if it still has any flavorful residue from the chicken stuck to it. Boil gently until the liquid reduces by half, about 3 minutes
- Add the coconut milk, garlic powder, thyme, parsley, and 1/2 tsp salt. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Boil until the sauce reduces by half stirring often, about 3-5 minutes
- In a small dish, mix the arrowroot starch with the water and add it to the pan with the sauce. Mix it in well and cook for about 1 minute to thicken
- Add the spinach to the sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes to allow it to wilt
- Add the chicken and its juices back to the pan and coat the chicken with the sauce
- Serve!
Dessert: Blackberry Cobbler
Finish off the night on a sweet note with a homemade blackberry cobbler that is thyroid friendly. You can even kick it up a notch and throw some vanilla ice cream on top! This blackberry cobbler is ready in under an hour and only requires a handful of ingredients.
This recipe is AIP friendly, Dairy, Egg, and Nut free. The blackberries are packed full of antioxidants that can help with inflammation and boost your thyroid health.
Ingredients:
- 12 oz blackberries
- 2 tbsp coconut oil, organic, plus more for greasing
- 3 tbsp water
- 1/4 cup arrowroot flour
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1/4 cup honey, raw
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/4 tsp lemon juice
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 300°F. Lightly grease an 8×8 baking dish with coconut oil.
- Spread blackberries evenly in the bottom of the pan.
- Mix remaining ingredients on medium speed until combined. Spread over blackberries.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the entire top is golden brown.
We hope these thyroid friendly recipes inspire you in the kitchen! If you’re looking for an easier way to manage your thyroid health so you can focus on other aspects of your life; download the ThyForLife app today!
ThyForLife helps people with thyroid conditions better manage their thyroid health. Easily track, log, and understand different aspects of your thyroid health including: bloodwork, medications and supplements, symptoms, and weight changes.
