Functional medicine empowers you to take charge of your Hashimoto’s low thyroid health journey. However, eating healthy can take up more time and attention than some people are used to. Thanks to a relatively new kitchen appliance called the Instant Pot, you can save a lot of time and stress while following a Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism diet without compromising nutrition.

Why is the Instant Pot a good functional medicine helper?

The Instant Pot’s appeal is in its many features and that its results are always consistent. In addition to being a safe and foolproof pressure cooker, it also sautés, slow cooks, makes yogurt, functions as a rice cooker, and makes bone broths. It’s versatility saves on kitchen counter space.

The following are ways in which the Instant Pot can save you time while helping you stay healthy as you manage your Hashimoto’s low thyroid condition.

Cooks frozen meats. Have you ever forgotten to put the meat out in the morning to be thawed in time to cook for dinner? With the Instant Pot you can start your dinner with frozen meat and still have stew for dinner.

Less dishwashing. Because you can do multiple things in the Instant Pot, it cuts down on dirty pots and pans. As an example, you can sauté onions and brown meat in the same pot you make stew in. Or you can cook in Pyrex bowls inside the Instant Pot, put them in the the fridge when they’re cool, then take them to lunch.

Times cooking for you. Once your ingredients are in the Instant Pot, you press a button and walk away to take care of other things. It shuts itself off and then keeps food warm for up to 10 hours. It hard boils eggs reliably. Some people crack a bunch of raw eggs into a bowl before cooking, then crumble the cooked egg for a quick egg salad that doesn’t require removing egg shells from boiled eggs.

Safe and easy pressure cooking. The Instant Pot’s primary feature is pressure cooking, which significantly shortens cooking times. However, thanks to engineered safety features and foolproof design, you won’t blow up your kitchen.

It’s a wonderful slow cooker. Although it’s best known for cooking quickly, the Instant Pot is also a great slow cooker that allows you to brown the meat in the same pot you slow cook in.

Dairy-free yogurt. Yogurt is a sad thing to give up when you go dairy-free. Store bought dairy-free yogurts are expensive and filled with irritating thickening gums. The Instant Pot makes great dairy-free yogurt using gelatin or chia as a thickener. You will need a high-quality coconut milk for a good end result.

Super easy squash and root veggies. Peeling and chopping squash and root veggies can be a real deterrent to including them in your meals. With the Instant Pot, just toss them in whole and then peel, seed, and chop them after they’re done cooking. However, more fragile vegetables such as broccoli do better in a steam basket on the stove top unless you are willing to experiment with the right amount of time.

These are just some of the ways the Instant Pot can help you as part of a functional medicine strategy to manage your Hashimoto’s low thyroid. Don’t be intimidated by it — the learning curve is quick and you’ll soon figure it out without needing recipe guidance. The internet has vast amounts of articles, tips, recipes, and enthusiasm to help you learn.

How to learn if you have Hashimoto’s low thyroid

Many patients are not diagnosed with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s until after several years and going through several doctors. It is a demoralizing journey richly illustrated in my book The Truth About Low Thyroid: Stories of Hope and Healing for Those Suffering With Hashimoto’s Low Thyroid Disease, through real-life stories from patients in my practice. Managing Hashimoto’s goes far beyond using thyroid medication as you must work to stop the immune system from attacking the thyroid. For more information on identifying and managing Hashimoto’s low thyroid, contact my office.

About Dr. Josh Redd, Chiropractic Physician — Utah, Arizona, New Mexico functional medicine

Dr. Joshua J. Redd, DC, MS, DABFM, DAAIM, author of The Truth About Low Thyroid: Stories of Hope and Healing for Those Suffering With Hashimoto’s Low Thyroid Disease, is a chiropractic physician and the founder of RedRiver Health and Wellness Center with practices in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. He sees patients from around the world who suffer from challenging thyroid disorders, Hashimoto’s disease, and other autoimmune conditions. In addition to his chiropractic degree, Dr. Redd has a BS in Health and Wellness, a BS in Anatomy, and a MS in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine.  He speaks across the nation, teaching physicians about functional blood chemistry, low thyroid, Hashimoto’s, and autoimmunity. You can join his Facebook page here.