Hello everyone,
I have been a strict gluten free diet since January. As a result, I feel less bloated. I don ‘t know if it’s the levothyroxine or the gluten free diet but I can eat eggs, garlic ( sorry, I’m French) again. I couldn’t eat eggs or garlic for a few years.
It’s still very new for me, I eat a balance diet but will I be able to keep it up? Do any of you follow certain type of diet? Keto… or not.
I was curious. Thank you for any replies.
I just eat what I like. Trouble is, I don't like very much! I've always been a very picky eater. I went off meat completely before I was diagnosed, and I think that was due to the undiagnosed hypo. I do eat some now, but don't eat a lot. Not eating meat, I feel, made me quite ill because I didn't know much about nutrients in those days, and my probably already low B12 and iron probably got lower and lower until it made me ill. Now, I take supplements.
That is the most important thing when you're hypo. Doesn't matter how good and balanced your diet is, if you're hypo you probably have low stomach acid, so won't be digesting food properly or absorbing nutrients. So, very important to get test for vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin. And then supplement according to the results.
Why don't you think you'll be able to keep up your balanced diet?
Thank you for your reply. I don’ t eat a lot of meat. I eat a lot of fish. I take supplements as well. I have found quite easy so far to eat healthy. I want to get better as much as possible so I’m prepared to do whatever it takes. But I have days where I think this is hard work.( and probably feeling a bit sorry for myself,😀). It’s still quite new , I will get use to it. I’m going to try to stop dairy.
Why? Does dairy upset you? If not, there's no point.
Does being gluten-free help you? Relieve any symptoms? If not, there's no point. It isn't automatically more healthy to cut these things out, only if they're causing you symptoms.
I was bloated before going gluten free . I had a lot of flatulence…nice. I don’t have it nowadays.
I thought/ read that dairy free was better for Hashimoto’s. But I will be really happy to keep dairy in my diet. Good to know that I can keep it.Thank you.
If going gluten-free helped you, then that's wonderful - it did nothing for me. You could try dairy-free and see if it helps. If not, go back to eating it. I honestly don't think it makes much difference to Hashi's in general, just makes some people feel better, but there's no obligation.
I tried gluten/dairy/sugar-free. None of them had any positive effects for me. The only thing that helped was cutting out all traces of soy. Soy makes me ill. Soy definitely is bad for hypos because it impedes the uptake of thyroid hormone by the cells.
Hi. I was bloated and had bad flatulence and other gut issues ( best not mentioned) before being diagnosed hypo. (Plus many other symptoms). I went gluten free when I started levo and the gut issues gradually improved and mostly resolved. I don't know if it was the levo, gluten free or both. I've stuck to gluten free as I know barley and malted grains in particular, never agreed with me anyway ( nausea in particular). The way I see it, if you are autoimmune ( eg hashimotos) then it makes sense to cut down or remove dietary items that give your immune system a hard time which is often gluten and can be lactose but I think it's got to be down to the individual and what suits them. It can be a lot of trial and error.
Hi Nath. I was gluten free for 7 years and it was fine but I was always feeling constipated and always hungry even though I only just ate. In last two months I pulled the rice flower, sorghum, honey, milk and potato's, added more meat, eggs, bacon , cream, veggies, 70% coco chocolate, sweet-potato, pumpkin etc and went loosely Keto. Fasting from 8pm to 1pm following day, 4 days a week. I feel much better and have regular bowel movements now.
Also - we have (in australia) these yummy cranberry/seeds and dried fig/seeds cracker biscuits. I smash them with hummus or hard cheese's most nights
I’ve been GF for many years, dairy free mostly too. Feel much better. Sometimes tricky but I’ve found alternatives to bread etc I can make at home. With Hashimoto’s it’s really important to balance blood sugar. I find that if I do that it makes a big difference to my well being. Plus eating a diet high in vegetables fruit and good protein sources. Good carb sources are very important especially for women. Avoiding ultra processed foods is key.
When I went gluten-free I lost weight. I didn't trial gluten free in order to lose weight but I did.
Google Dr William Davies/ wheat belly
Many thanks to all of you for your input. It will be trial and error. I cook from scratch, I don’t buy ready meals. I eat a lot of vegetables, some fruits, eggs, fish, sometimes chicken or lean pork, nuts, olives…I love cheese, yoghurts..My bowel movements are not great, better than before being diagnosed but could improve.
Thank you again
Hi. I reluctantly gave up gluten, but after being off it for a while and ate some, thinking a small biscuit wouldn't hurt, I had pretty uncomfortable stomach ache after, so I know I needed to do that. It is hard sometimes as I loved proper homemade bread and the odd croissant and pastries, but I know I have to stick to it. The trouble with me is cutting dairy as I love it. The thought of a decent cappuccino never being savoured again does not enthrall me at all. I can't tolerate all the dairy free milks, which aren't good for hypos anyway. Soya milk is a no no, as is oat milk and almond milk. I think Hemp, rice and pea milk are revolting, and I am allergic to coconut, so I'm struggling to go dairy free. I do have sinus issues, and I do have lactose free skim milk at home, but you can't get it in coffee shops and cafés in the UK, so I have normal milk when I go out. Gluten is far easier to quit than dairy. Good luck on your eating for health journey.
I’ve been gluten free for a while now. It sounds like you’ve done the right thing for you, and the good news about habits is that the longer you persevere the easier it will get because it all becomes just unconscious stuff you do. Literally habitual. It’s important you enjoy food, and I’ve found being a bit slower and mindful about food increases my enjoyment. Hang on I’m there!
If you love dairy you could always try just giving up cow's milk. I find I'm ok when I eat goat's or sheep's milk yoghurt, kefir and cheese etc but I think products made from cow's milk don't suit me although I can eat a little bit now and then. Giving up gluten helps my digestion but I don't think it makes any difference to my Hashimoto's. I think it's quite difficult when it isn't clear how things are affecting you. If you have an extreme reaction to something then it makes it clear you shouldn't eat it but if it isn't so obvious then it can be hard to give something up. I've read that a keto diet isn't a good idea if you have Hashimoto's but I can't remember why! I try to avoid sugar and refined carbohydrate as I don't feel good on them but I eat whole grains eg short grain brown rice and other carbs like potatoes. I now try to eat as wide a variety of food (freshly made, no junk) as possible. I did quite a strict exclusion diet for a while. It didn't help my symptoms and I felt that food became something to worry about rather than something nourishing to enjoy and share. I hope you find something that works for you, good luck.
Hi Nath, I've been gluten, dairy and refined sugar free for 25 years now. I am so much better without as it contributed to chronic fatigue. Also intolerant so really no mileage in having it at all. There's a world of wonderful healthy food out there so enjoy what you can eat and move on you will feel so much better on fresh food.Try juicing too, fresh greens like spinach, kale, cucumbers, carrots, apples etc, you can find loads of recipes online and advice on good juicers make sure it's a slow juicer as this reduces oxidation. Fresh juice really does pack in the nutrients and it's better than smoothies (although they are healthy) because you are getting it into your cells and blood thus giving the body real energy.
Enjoy your journey back to health, be patient but determined and you'll get there!
Being refined sugar free for 25 years is seriously impressive! In my opinion this is the hardest part to stick with because it makes eating away from home extremely difficult.
Hi Selina,Yes it's not an easy path outside of your own home!
It's worth it though with the health issues I've had to address, including candida.
I do have seasons when I can tolerate other sweeteners like organic honey and coconut sugar seems ok for me, but I try not to overdo these. I make all my own gluten free cakes and biscuits and these are delicious. Raw desserts are a wonderful way of getting those lovely treats into your diet. Life can be a bit bland and quite frankly a little miserable without them!
If I can be of any help let me know. Blessings, june
Thanks June. I have a book called "Cooking Without" which has some lovely recipes including desserts which have turned out really well.
My favourite restaurant in London was called Tibits (a Swiss chain) which had amazing vegetarian and vegan food (which also catered for those with various intolerances) - sadly they closed down in 2020 due to Covid and I'd have to go to Switzerland to enjoy their fabulous food!
Hello Selina, could you tell me who wrote the book” cooking without”, please? Thank you in advance.
I can only admire anyone being gluten/ sugar or dairy free for a while. I love healthy food but sometimes I crave sugar. I haven’t had refined sugar since January. I compensate with 2 pieces of fruit/day.
It’s been quite easy so far but I have some holidays booked, it will be harder.
Thank you to all of you for sharing your stories. Nathalie
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