A Thyroid Expert's 5 Staples For A Healing Pantry

Growing up, my pantry was stocked with the usual suspects of the Standard American Diet—or SAD for short (and it is sad). Once I took on an anti-inflammatory diet to clear my hypothyroid symptoms, my pantry got a total overhaul.

Today, my pantry is the portrait of holistic health. I proudly stock it with all the staples I need to whip up detoxifying, nourishing and delicious fuel at moment’s notice. I am very excited to share the next-level superfoods you need to design the ultimate holistic pantry.

Probiotics

This probiotic consists of three raw tonic herbs—ashwagandha, astragalus, and elderberry—as well as red lentils fermented with probiotic culture and honey to allow for easy assimilation and better absorption of minerals and nutrients. The immunity and stress adaptogen herbs root us back in our body, so we can optimize rest and digestion. Naturally fermented probiotics in the lentils help your body replenish its natural gut bacteria and increases assimilation and bioavailability of the herbs. It’s totally grounding and immune-boosting, and can easily be tossed into a smoothie or a hot brew. Body + Eden’s Raw Organic Immunity Probiotic ($48)

Collagen

Further Collagen is a protein-packed powder made with hydrolyzed collagen peptides, which digest more rapidly than whey protein. Word on the street is that an intake of collagen on a daily basis stimulates the release of satiating hormones into the bloodstream—meaning decreased appetite and higher energy levels. Collagen is what gives our skin our elasticity, so you’re strengthening your skin cells as well. You can add Further Collagen to any baking mixture (gluten-free muffins, anyone?), soup or smoothie for a healing boost of energy and anti-inflammatory power. Further Food Further Collagen (from $19.95)

Clean snacks

As a native New Yorker and lover of snacks, I’m a huge fan of Sakara Life’s Ultimate Collection. It includes a variety of on-the-go nutrition bars, dark chocolate granola, and two types of popcorn. My favorite item is the detox bar, which contains activated charcoal to bind to toxins and heavy metals to filter them out of the body, decreasing inflammation. Everything is gluten-free, dairy-free and made with plant-based ingredients. And they now deliver nationwide. Yum! Sakara Life The Ultimate Collection ($109)

MCT coconut oil

MCT (Medium Chain Triglycerides) oil is basically coconut oil on steroids. Bulletproof’s Brain Octane Oil is 100-percent sourced from coconuts, so it’s a very clean energy source and supports a healthy brain and metabolism. I pour it in hot beverages in the AM for a sustaining energy boost or on salads as a dressing to provide myself with mental and physical energy to power my day. Brain Octane produces four times the ketone energy of plain coconut oil and also has potent anti-microbial effects that help support healthy digestion and immune function. Bulletproof Brain Octane Oil ($22.95)

Golden milk

Gaia Herbs Golden Milk is more than just turmeric. This tonic powder is based on the centuries-old Ayurvedic recipe and features ashwagandha, a superstar when it comes to improving the health of your thyroid. Ashwagandha has shown incredible results for lowering cortisol and balancing thyroid hormones, and treats adrenal fatigue. This functional food also contains date palm fruit and traditional ayurvedic herbs like cardamom seed, vanilla bean, and black pepper fruit. Turmeric was used as a medicine for supporting heart, digestive, joint and immune health, and other issues since 600 BC. To support my thyroid and adrenals, I warm up homemade almond milk and toss in a generous scoop before bed each night. Golden Milk by Gaia Herbs ($18.51)

Once you have these superfood pantry items on hand, you’ll have all my go-to remedies at your fingertips and you’ll be able to whip up your own healing tonics in a snap! Cheers to more energy, healthy digestion, faster metabolism, better sleep, reduced inflammation and plenty of tasty goodness.

FoodFern Langham