Hi All! What sort of diet should I be following with hypothyroidism? Any advice would be great

[fierysue]

[Susie05]

Just low fat and plenty of exercise , has always worked for me was diagnosed Underactive 13 years ago and 5 years ago lost over 6 stone and have kept it off

[PinkNinja]

I think you need to find what works for you, and it can be a bit of trial and error. Low fat works well for a lot of people but I find I need to have the right percentage of fat, but for them to be natural fats and certainly not a high-fat diet!

I found getting a good amount of protein works well for me. Unfortunately, since my thyroid hasn't been treated properly for a good long time, I have been unable to lose the weight I have gained. I am hoping that will change now that I am getting better treatment.

Exercise is quite important too. Now, I'm not talking about running miles or anything, just getting a reasonable amount of moderate exercise and working your muscles.

Also don't cut your calories too drastically or you may find that your metabolism slows down to compensate.

The best diets are those that are sustainable long-term; more of a life-style change really. Eating mostly healthy food with plenty of fresh-fruit and veg and limiting processed foods can help.

Carolyn x

[fierysue]

Thank you both of you Susie 05 and Carolyn B.

I am several stone overweight and used to do a lot of exercise prior to thyroid troubles. I have done very little over recent years, especially since fibro symptoms took hold, although my 'inner woman' would love to exercise as I do miss it! With regard to diet thank you for your pointers. I don't eat a lot of protein soI will try to increase that side of my diet. I am also looking into supplements like vitamins as I've read that they are important too.

It seems to be a minefield of information to wade through and I'm struggling a bit to know what to concentrate on first. I guess it will all fall into place... in time!

[EffieW11]

I was once told that a good way to keep the weight down when you're hypothyroid was to cut out carbs altogether.

I thought this a rather distressing option, so I asked this forum and they were wonderfully supportive with similar advice to that which Carolyn and Susie have provided you with above.

One lady wrote that she was in her sixties, was diagnosed in her mid-teens (just like me - am now 21), has always eaten whatever she fancies with moderation, and does a little bit of yoga to keep her fit and supple. She has never been overweight.

She categorically insisted in the nicest possible way that cutting out carbs altogether is not a good idea. Stay healthy, but enjoy your food. Minor adjustments might have to be made, but the point of a healthy lifestyle is that it is sustainable, and makes you happy.

I just wanted to share her advice with you, because I found it very touching!

Best wishes and thyroidey love,

Effie xx

[EffieW11 in reply to EffieW11]

Oooh, I just found a link to that discussion in my user history! Here you go: thyroiduk.healthunlocked.co...

Kaarina is an inspiration!

[fierysue in reply to EffieW11]

Hi Effie!

Thank you for your story and shared advice. I agree that to cut carbs completely would be unhealthy. As I'm just trying to get onto an optimal dose of armour I will be gentle with myself and just make small changes. I am much more positive though about being able to lose the weight gradually.

Best wishes and thyroidey love back at ya (love that)

[Hidden]

I have tried every diet in the book!

They don't work. What does work is a healthy, balanced diet AND a smaller plate.

After 3 years I have kept off all my excess weight but wouldn't dare go back to a full size dinner plate.

My weight came of steadily and has stayed off.

I'm just looking into the vegetables we aren't supposed to eat a lot of.......cauli, broccoli, sprouts an turnip, all of which I love!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Some people are not affected by eating the goitrogens. Sometimes they are fine if they are well cooked, and not eaten in huge quantities every day!

If you are feeling well then I would suggest that perhaps you shouldn't worry. If you are not feeling that great, then perhaps you could try cutting them out one at a time, or cooking them for longer to see if that makes a difference!?

Louise

xx

[fierysue in reply to Hidden]

Thank you stormyone! I think that seems a very sensible thing to do and I will buy myself a smaller dinner plate I think!!

[Hidden]

Thanks Louise, no feeling rubbish! But newbie, you have all started to put my kind at ease.

Fierysue, I have lost nearly 5 stone and I don't intend putting it back on. I have to stick to a small plate and I have anything I want. Quality and quantity.

Still crave salt. Sugar craving getting better :(. Actually started to stop at sweet shops as I felt I needed them!

Good luck. Xx

[Hidden]

That should read: no, rubbish! But newbie. You have all started to put my mind at ease.

.......damn iPad lol

[LouisaF]

You need to find what works for you but I found a LOW carb diet best for me. It also had the advantage of cutting right down on gluten which may thyroid patients cannot tolerate. By getting carbs from healthy veg rather than wheat and sugar you may find that cravings disappear - if you stick to it.

[Hidden]

There are so many oft repeated myths about so called goitrogens; but increasingly there is more, and better understanding about vegetables which in the past we've been told not to eat. Thankfully we know now that some of them even support thyroid function, and many are so valuable nutritionally that it's almost criminal not to eat them. Please do your research from good, balanced up to date sources. This article is informative thepaleomom.com/teaser-exce... but there are others.

I wouldn't follow a "low fat diet" as such - eating good fats in healthy amounts within a balanced diet is, I believe, a healthier approach. A small amount of fat is essential to a healthy balanced diet as a source of essential fatty acids which the body can't make itself and which helps the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins A, D and E.