These chicken sliders are a quick, yet delicious recipe that also supports your thyroid. If you’re following a paleo diet, these sliders will work for you, too!

Your thyroid is a gland near the base of your neck that releases hormones into your blood stream. These hormones interact with cells throughout your entire body. For many reasons your thyroid can stop releasing these hormones.

While diet alone won’t solve this issue, diet can support your thyroid and reduce symptoms. To learn more about the importance of thyroid health, check out our recent blog post here!

Chicken, the star ingredient in this recipe, is a source of zinc. Zinc is helpful as it “activates” thyroid hormones (1). In one case study, when an individual with a zinc-deficiency took zinc supplements, all thyroid hormones levels were found to increase as well (1). Chicken is also a good source of selenium, a nutrient also shown to “activate” thyroid hormones (2). It is important to remember that this recipe calls for lean chicken, which is recommended for best results. This means selecting skinless options and focusing on lean areas such as the breast and thighs.

Incorporated in these sliders are nutrient-dense green vegetables including broccoli and kale. While these vegetables contain many nutrients, research has shown that when eaten raw they can be potentially harmful to your thyroid. That is because they contain a goitrogen compound, which interferes with thyroid function (3). However, it is important to note that when cooked, this compound is deactivated. Therefore, individuals looking to support their thyroid should cook their dark leafy greens to get the best nutritional value.

If you like this recipe, you might love our 1-Week Thyroid-Supporting meal plan, with more recipes designed for the thyroid that the whole family will enjoy!

Preparation note: This recipe calls for the sliders to be grilled, but they can also be prepared in the oven on a baking sheet.

This Walnut Crusted Salmon is a simple yet delicious dish that adds flavour and texture to your typical salmon dinner.

If you’re a salmon-lover already, this recipe is for you!

The main stars of this recipe, salmon and walnuts, come packed with health benefits.

While salmon is typically known to be rich in fatty acids and protein, it is also an excellent source of selenium. Selenium is an essential mineral that supports the health and function of our thyroid, a small gland located in the base of the neck. Your thyroid releases important hormones that travel through your blood and interact with cells throughout your body. Selenium works to help “activate” these thyroid hormones, which can be important for individuals with low thyroid hormone levels (1). Research shows that consuming two servings of salmon a week increased selenium levels in the blood more than fish oil capsules (2). 

Walnuts are a superfood filled with wonderful health benefits. They have been shown to have the highest antioxidant activity compared to any other nut (3). Antioxidants are a group of nutrients which prevent damage from free radicals called “oxidation”. One small study showed that when adults ate a walnut-rich meal, it prevented the oxidation of specific types of cholesterol (4). When these types of cholesterol are oxidized, they are more likely to build up in your arteries, leading to blockages (4). This is important to consider for individuals with low levels of thyroid hormones, as they are more likely to have higher cholesterol levels (5).

If you are looking to prepare this recipe with a soup or salad, check out Koru’s recipes for more options, including our Creamy Roasted Garlic and Kale Soup and Citrus Quinoa & Bean Salad.

References

1. Ventura, M., Melo, M., & Carrilho, F. (2017). Selenium and Thyroid Disease: From Pathophysiology to Treatment. International Journal of Endocrinology, 2017, 1297658. doi: 10.1155/2017/1297658
2. Stonehouse, W., Pauga, M., Kruger, R., Thomson, C., Wong, M., & Kruger, M. (2011). Consumption of salmon v. salmon oil capsules: effects on n-3 PUFA and selenium status. The British Journal of Nutrition. 106(8), 1231-1239. doi: 10.1017/S000711451100153X
3. Yin, T., Cai, L., Chen, Y., Li, Y., Wang, Y., Liu, C., & Ding, Z. (2015). Tannins and Antioxidant Activities of the Walnut (Juglans regia) Pellicle. Natural Product Communications, 10(12), 2141-2144. PMID: 26882685
4. Haddad, E., Gaban-Chong, N., Oda, K., &Sabate, J. (2014). Effect of a walnut meal on postprandial oxidative stress and antioxidants in healthy individuals. Nutrition Journal, 13(4). doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-13-4.
5. Mullur, R., Liu, Y., & Brent, G. (2014). Thyroid Hormone Regulation of Metabolism. Physiological reviews, 94(2), 355-382. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00030.2013