cook book

[Carsey2411]

hi. Not sure if this is allowed on this platform but I just wondered if there was a good cook book to follow to Support thyroid function?

Thanks

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

There are a few cook books out there, each based on different types of diet that support the gut of someone with hypothyroidism. It's not so much about supporting thyroid function itself, but the effects that hypothyroidism has on our bodies and the gut. Think brain gut connection. Soy and iodine are the main things that might affect thyroid function.

Most of the diets that drive the cookbooks eliminate gluten, dairy and soy, sugars, grains, caffeine and alcohol. I initially followed the Fast Tract diet with great success. It gave me that bit of extra energy when I plain didn't have any. There are similar diets - Whole 30, specific carbohydrate diet and more.

Have a read of Isabella Wentz who talks thyroid and food.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

[Carsey2411 in reply to Jaydee1507]

thanks. I will have a read. I have deliciously ella cookbook so can start from there thanks

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Carsey2411]

Ella has POTS, not a thyroid condition. It's a healthy way of eating although she includes things that would be banned on a thyroid type diet such as pasta and legumes. It's also vegan and unless you are vegan you should be including meat for the iron and vitamin content that is missing in a vegan diet. By all means use her recipes sometimes, but not all the time would be my recommendation.

[Carsey2411 in reply to Jaydee1507]

thanks. Clearly need to do some more research. Thank you

[Lalatoot in reply to Jaydee1507]

Why on earth would pasta and legumes be banned on a thyroid diet?

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Lalatoot]

The simple answer to that, as I'm really not an expert but have done a lot of dietary experimentation, is carbohydrates. The glycemic index of them is too high.

[DippyDame in reply to Jaydee1507]

Legumes... beans, chickpeas, and lentils... are among the lowest glycemic index foods. They don't 'spike' blood sugar.

Lalatoot I suspect you know this!

Overcooking pasta will raise it's G I

Not all carbohydrates have a high GI number eg oats

GI diet was developed for people with diabetes.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to DippyDame]

A lot of this depends on how sensitive you are to foods etc As I said, I am not an expert. Pasta is processed food for a start, its also a grain not allowed on paleo diets. I'll copy/paste about legumes.

Legumes are not allowed on paleo because of their high content of lectins and phytic acid. Similar to grains, this is controversial in the scientific community. In fact, lots of research supports eating legumes as part of a healthy diet because they are low in fat and high in fiber, protein and iron.

Some legumes are higher than others in GI. If I was following fast tract diet I would be avoiding boiled lentils, cannelini beans, navy beans, even butter beans.

We've had people here with issues with oats and it's a quantity thing, maybe as too hard to digest in a hypo gut.

It's a really complicated and sometimes controversial subject. I don't make up the rules. 😅

[Lalatoot in reply to Jaydee1507]

Jaydee there are no rules. Nothing should be banned as you put it. Everybody must do what suits them.

[DippyDame in reply to Lalatoot]

Absolutely!

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Lalatoot]

It doesn't sound like you've been down the route of special diets to support your thyroid condition or gut function. AutoImmune Paleo is a particularly prescriptive diet and by it's very nature does 'ban' certain foods. I've really only been doing what suits me.

[StanleyThyroid in reply to Jaydee1507]

So I have food sensitivities and don't tolerate oats (and many other grains) or legumes. Its about seeing what works for you.

[Partner20 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Your copy/paste simply shows that there are no rules! We are all different in our sensitivities and intolerances, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer to which foods we should or shouldn't eat. In addition, many of us have other conditions which preclude the consumption of foods recommended for another, so things are never that simple. Encouraging people to omit complete food groups is not always particularly helpful, think vegetarianism and the rise in B12 deficiency. We should all eat what suits us and makes us feel comfortable. Personally, I am never drawn in by those whose aim is to sell products, I prefer to do my own research and act on how I feel. Hectoring people as you do is an unfortunate turn-off, I'm afraid, particularly as you admit your shortcomings in this area. If you are not an expert, it would be better if you just posted personal viewpoints and experiences that might help some, rather than rigid rules which may not apply at all, and/or cannot be followed by many even if they were so inclined.

[V11Joy in reply to Lalatoot]

Research has shown gluten to be a driver for high TPO/TGA antibodies, on eliminating gluten only antibodies plummet. I will try find the research paper and post it later.

[Lalatoot in reply to V11Joy]

Yes,but going gluten free is not necessary for everyone. Everybody must do what suits them.  I am gluten free but not dairy free as dairy is not a problem for me.

[Partner20 in reply to V11Joy]

The issue here is that if simply going gluten-free reduces antibodies, then coeliacs, or those on a gluten-free diet for other reasons would not develop antibodies or Hashimoto's in the first place.

[DippyDame in reply to V11Joy]

TUK already recommend a GF diet for those with Thyroid Autoimmune Disease

Intolerance to certain foods is not necessarily related to thyroid disease and to unnecessarily avoid food items/ groups may deprive the body of essential nutrients causing deficiency.

Legumes for example are a rich source of both vitamin B12 and folic acid, both are essential to support thyroid health/ T4 to T3 conversion.

But...

Jaydee1507 states above things that would be banned on a thyroid type diet such as pasta and legumes. Sorry but this is not reliable information.

What exactly is "a thyroid type diet". What, crucially, raises it above a healthy well balanced diet?

It is easy to be influenced by beautifully presented special diet regimes and attractive cook books. I've bought many of the latter, over many decades!! However, the bottom line is that everything we consume is our "diet". whereas nutrition is the process of utilising food for growth, metabolism and repair of tissues. The relationship between diet and nutrition and health is 2-way. Health status can be affected by nutrient deficiency and vice versa.

So, we must avoid trying to alleviate one problem by causing another!

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to DippyDame]

I was simply sharing my own personal experiences of Hashimoto's and diet. It seems my comments have been taken to extreme and out of context. The person posting was asking for a diet to support thyroid function and they are out there and do help if that is what you need or want. Noone HAS to do this. Only the other day someone was posting about how amazed they were that the GAPS diet had helped them so much. I won't be commenting further.

Partner20

[DippyDame in reply to Jaydee1507]

One final comment from me Jaydee1507 if I may

I neither took your comments to extreme nor did I take your comments out of context. I added factual information for clarity.

I'm sorry if you felt my responses were unjust...though I cannot see why.

Sadly, thyroid disease can cause many problems and you were clearly trying to help but unfortunately your post did not clearly refer to personal experience as you suggest

instead it veered off topic and referred to GI, Paleo and now GAPS diets.

The OP asked about cook books that may support thyroid function, she did not ask about a diet to support thyroid function as you state above.

No criticism was intended on my part but I did feel that certain elements in your responses were misleading and therefore less than helpful not only to Carsey2411 but also to other members with an interest in the nutritional aspect of thyroid function.

We are all in this thyroid mess together and this forum, for me, has proved to be a life saving experience.

The factual information kindly shared by experienced and well informed members in the past, led me to research my own rare and complex thyroid disease and to source the answers that medics could not provide....and to discover the solution.

If I sound protective of adhering to facts ( in addition to offering clearly stated personal experiences) then that is why.

I hope you are keeping well

[Hidden in reply to Jaydee1507]

I sympathise with you  Jaydee1507 . I’ve also been through pretty much the entire collection of different diets recommended for thyroid disease/general inflammation, and as a nutritionist myself I think your comment was highly relevant and helpful, pointing out that *most* thyroid diet templates would be paleo in nature and therefore advise against consuming legumes. This is because there is a widely held belief in the alternative health world (or whatever words you prefer to use here) that such foods are inflammatory in nature, driving antibodies up and therefore increasing damage to the thyroid (or other healthy tissues). Interestingly many people do find their antibodies drop dramatically when they follow a paleo template so there seems to be merit in it. Whether we should follow these quite restrictive diets long term is another question. It’s likely the same story as with treatment… one size does not fit all annoyingly 🤷🏻

[Regenallotment]

I have the Izabella Wentz 90 day cookbook which is excellent. The next one I get will be Dr Sarah Myhill’s paleo book (she goes in for keto as well but personally that’s a step too far, I do low carb but am not looking to be in ketosis). Her linseed bread recipe is a keeper. Her website is very good. Have fun, post any good finds, lots of cooks and home bakers here 🌱

[Bambam22]

I love hypothyroid chef.. her recipies are amazing... in the beginning of my journey I ate lots of cilantro chicken and golden milk and incorporayed her top 5 foods to support thyroid. hypothyroidchef.com/She has a get podcast too😁

[Pandora70]

Hi Carsey

For easy recipes which I have enjoyed trying out:

The 30-Minute Thyroid Cookbook by Emily Kyle (Amazon, also in Kindle format)

The author is a registered nutritionist who has a family history of hypo and Hashi’s from which she draws as well as her clinical experience. In the introduction the point is made about everyone having unique needs and how daunting it is to receive a diagnosis with no idea of how to support your future health. Well laid out in sections for easy reference.

[Beegal6 in reply to Pandora70]

The Easy Thyroid Diet Plan: A 28-Day Meal Plan And 75 Recipes For Symptom Relief

[StanleyThyroid]

Not specifically Thyroid but I am using the Healthy Gut Cookbook amazon.co.uk/Healthy-Gut-Co.... Its a programme for gut repair, which seems to be related to many of the issues discussed here.

Things that have made a difference are making and drinking chicken stock, the every day bread recipe and making my own yoghurt (really easy if you have a multicooker like a Foodi). I also make Kombucha which is really easy and I am going to be making more fermented foods.

It's also educational in that you realise that going back to basics is how you get the best nutrition.

If your gut is not in good shape the programme aims to repair from the grorund upwards, adding food over time.

[Lavender-Blue in reply to StanleyThyroid]

I make my own Kombucha and Kefir too!

It's very economic once the SCOBY is purchased and the Kefir grains are purchased.

I have had my SCOBY and Kefir grains for two and half years now!

Glad to learn you enjoy Brewing too!

[Miffie]

I have been hypothyroid for over sixty years. I have a degree in food and nutrition and can honestly say that it’s my belief there is no need for book devoted to supporting thyroid function. Speaking from experience a well balanced varied diet avoiding soy and iodine rich foods has been been most beneficial. I prepare meals using fresh ingredients as far as possible and keep an eye on portion control. I have in fairness tried number of diets out there even when a reasonable understanding of nutrition has told me it’s nonsense. I come back to the conclusion that we are all different and there is no one size fits all.

It is important to note that I do not have Hashimotos, however I tried gluten free and it made zero difference so reintroduced gluten. Dairy was the same. However for those who do have Hashi I believe they should completely eliminate first gluten and then if still struggling go dairy free to see if that helps. As DippyDame has commented GF is recommended by Thyroid UK for those with autoimmune thyroiditis.

Unfortunately there are too many sources of untested eating plans in addition to alleged knowledgable people in the world peddling a not of inaccurate to potential harmful information.

[Yppah]

I am strictly gluten free and mainly dairy and soy free. I find lower carb suits me best, and good quality carbs like brown rice, sweet potato, potato. I like Izabella Wentz’s books for ideas, though there are no standout recipes, in my opinion. Angelique Panagos’s “The Balance Plan” has some good recipes. The book is about optimising all hormones. The lamb curry and coleslaw recipes are great. I re-read this book if I need a bit of a reset. I also like Lucy Bee’s “Coconut oil recipes for real life”. I have to admit to not often using the coconut oil. The recipes always turn out well and the Spanish Chicken is my favourite. River Cottage Gluten Free book has a good intro about gluten and other flours that might cause similar problems for some (eg buckwheat and oats). Also around beans and phytic acid - bit of an aha moment for me as sometimes cause problems, sometimes not, which could be to do with whether straight from a can (high phytic acid) or soaked overnight from dried (low). If you are gluten free and wanting to make breads and pastries then this looks like a good book, but I have found my body doesn’t want this type of carb-y stuff too much. I have found Mindful Chef recipe boxes nice for a little change and have repeated some of the recipes - all gluten and dairy free. (All recipes just a little too heavy on carbs for me but I eat half of them and have greedy mouths that pick up the excess.)

(I edited this re carbs as I am not strictly low carb, I do eat carbs every day, just not as much as most and am particular about the types - don’t bother with bread or pastry or anything with a ton of weird ingredients.)

[Farrugia]

I really like Food for a Happy Gut by Naomi Devlin naomidevlin.co.uk/food-for-...

It's not particularly for thyroid but it helps with gut health which is really important for thyroid problems. She also wrote the River Cottage gluten free handbook which is great if you want to try gluten free. Best of all her recipes are really well tested so they work AND they taste delicious. I've made a few paleo or auto immune recipes from other people that tasted truly vile which is never going to help anyone!

[Carsey2411]

thank you everyone.