Soy and hypothyroidism

[Rosie2m]

So I’ve been gluten free and soy free since the new year after reading some things on here, just wondering is it absolutely necessary to be strictly soy free? Lots of the things I’ve read said it’s not necessary to avoid completely and it would make my life a little easier if I could occasionally have it. Tia x

[greygoose]

My personal feeling is that every single person, hypo or not, should be soy-free. It's dreadful stuff. It's not food. It can do terrible things to you. And, you don't even get any nourishment out of it. But for hypos, what it does is impede the uptake of thyroid hormone by the cells. Which might not have much effect on someone whose thyroid can make T3 at will, but if T3 is in short supply, it's going to make you feel pretty bad. Myself, I can feel the effects of just a tiny amount of soy - even soy sauce. So, I avoid it like the plague.

[Rosie2m in reply to greygoose]

Thanks grey goose, tbh I’ve yet to feel any difference since I started 2weeks ago but I know that’s not enough time to see good results and I will persevere for sure just seems that lots of things that say gf have soy in, I thought I’d continue to use almond milk for smoothies but low and behold it contains soy... why!!! Lol! I suppose the issue is I’m a big foodie and feel so deprived right now lol!

[greygoose in reply to Rosie2m]

Yes, I know what you mean. It's difficult to avoid. I once bought a ready-made cous-cous, and - lo and behold - when I read the ingredients, it had soy sauce in it! Why on earth would you put soy sauce in a cous-cous? The damned stuff gets everywhere. But, that's because it's cheap. The best - perhaps the only way - to avoid it, is to cook everything from scratch. But, forgive my ignorance, wouldn't a foodie avoid soy on principle? It's not real food.

[Rosie2m in reply to greygoose]

When I say foodie I mean I love food 🤣... good and bad(unfortunately) even when I know something’s bad I can’t help but eat it if it tastes good, my self control is a lot better than it used to be but I’ve always been this way unfortunately. I must admit tho I’ve been very shocked where I’ve found soy whilst now being aware of it and it does make it particularly tricky when time is limited to grab something quick, between work, kids and commitments it’s going to take some real planning to try and make everything from scratch everyday x

[greygoose in reply to Rosie2m]

Yes, it does. But, then, you know, there are a lot of other thing in processed foods you're best avoiding, like artificial sweeteners and highly processed seed oils, like rapeseed oil. So, the planning is really beneficial for your health.

[Rosie2m in reply to greygoose]

I know, I think I’ve been putting it off slightly because I struggle to think of things to make and I’m really unsure how to store/reheat batch prepared meals but I’m going to have to research and get on it! Xx

[SlowDragon Administrator]

It's not as black and white as gluten. Absolutely no gluten allowed

But a tiny bit of soya eg in a small amount of chocolate might not be noticeable

But a whole bowl of soya beans or glass of soya milk....probably too much

Posh chocolate is soya free....eg Devine, some Green & Black, Waitrose own brand, montezumos etc (you can probably tell it's a well researched topic!)

[Rosie2m in reply to SlowDragon]

This is what I was wondering, that occasional bits may not be a problem if eating out or something where there’s not a huge variety of gf food because taking away soy aswell doesn’t leave much options lol! Haha I have also researched chocolate, I need something to make up for giving up tasty bread lol! Xx

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Rosie2m]

BFree brown seeded bread is delicious toasted (in separate GF toaster)

Most GF bread is rubbish as bread

GF "Thins" in M&S or Warbutons make ok sandwiches

[Rosie2m in reply to SlowDragon]

I’ve just bought the BFree wraps but tbh I wasn’t that impressed, I mean they’re edible but I won’t waste my calories on them again lol. I will give the bread a go tho, thankyou. I do agree tho that everyone I’ve tried so far has been rubbish lol x

[Buddy195 Administrator]

I’m GF and try to avoid soy where possible. I’ve used a lot of great recipes from the Dove’s Farm website (following a recommendation from this forum).