Save the Thyroid

There is certainly a lot to consider when devising a meal plan.  I wanted to be sure that the foods incorporated would be healthy, beneficial (a.k.a. not goitrogenic) and tasty. I also want to be sure that I’m not eating too few or too many calories.  Additionally, I considered Lacey’s point of reducing my intake and exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds.  These agents are known to disturb the natural hormonal processes and regulation in the body.  I am now purchasing organic non-fat milk, eggs and select produce that are listed as part of the Dirty Dozen.  Surprisingly, this week’s grocery bill was only about $10 above budget with these new additions.  Finally, I do not want to feel restricted, and want eating to remain enjoyable, so I left a little “fudge” room…literally room for fudge! I truly believe in moderation, so it’s important to use language that permits it, and to focus on the can do’s and not the cannots.

I devised a menu and meal plan that follows these principles:

• Choose a lean protein at every meal from groups A and D
• Incorporate a carbohydrate at every meal, preferably whole grain, from groups B, D and F
• Add a healthy fat to every meal from group D.
• Enjoy 5 to 9 servings of fruit and vegetables per day (2 servings fruit and 3 to 7 servings of vegetable).
• Drink 8oz. filtered water every 2 hours
• Enjoy non-caffeinated beverages (water, herbal teas)

I am fairly confident that this plan will help my thyroid and adrenal glands to get back on track.  I have chosen to limit the cruciferous vegetables and several green leafy vegetables because the phytochemicals in these super foods are not so kind to my thyroid gland. Most of the research says that upon restoring your thyroid to normal health, one can eat these foods again, but that it is best to avoid them. So, I will bid my broccoli and beloved spinach farewell for a month or two and see what happens. However, since goitrogenic compounds in food may be heat-sensitive I may sneak them in now and again.

My meal plan provides 2,000 to 2,200 Calories (depending on how active I am that day) via 3 meals and 2 snacks. I have created a one-day meal plan below as an example. I plan to follow this for the next 1-2 months, which is the recommended amount of time per current research.  Then, we will see how my endocrine system responds.  In addition, to these dietary changes I will also be pursuing some other lifestyle changes to de-stress since we know that often our adrenal and thyroid glands can fall victim to stress. I will be sure to fill you in on these pursuits as well!

Written by Cassie Vanderwall