Are you struggling to manage your Hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? Are you constantly dealing with fatigue, weight gain, mood swings and so on…? Feel like you’ve exhausted all your options and tried every “diet” and fad out there? 

You may be frustrated if you’re eating less, exercising like crazy and fasting non-stop and NOT seeing results. Those standard “dieting” protocols don’t work the same in those with a thyroid imbalance. Below are 3 common actions I recommend changing in order to see an improvement in thyroid health!

Eating gluten, dairy and eggs

These three foods should be avoided because they are pro-inflammatory in those with Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s. Any food intolerance will cause this inflammation, and when consumed often, the inflammation becomes constant, which eventually leads to weight gain and poor absorption of medication. 

Gluten

Gluten is a protein found in wheat and other grains. It’s a naturally occurring substance but it creeps into a lot of processed food and can slow down your metabolism. 

Dairy

Dairy products contain Insulin-like Growth Factor-1(IGF-1), and women with Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s typically have higher levels of IGF-1 in the body already. 

Therefore, dairy in your diet increases the amount of insulin, leading to insulin resistance. This means that sugar gets converted to fat instead of energy. 

Avoiding dairy helps the body improve your IGF-1 levels, and then, in turn, stops the advancement of thyroid disorder.

Eggs

I have found that most of my clients with a thyroid imbalance like Hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s have some form of an egg intolerance.

According to studies, eggs have been found to be both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory. My clients with a thyroid imbalance see dramatic improvements in gut health, thyroid levels and weight loss when they remove eggs.

My Keto Girls are advised to avoid the 3 inflammatory foods for an initial period of time… decreasing inflammation and resetting their gut health.

However, I believe all foods can fit, and I am an advocate for enjoying the foods you love! I strategize with clients how often to incorporate the foods they love while maintaining results.

Eating as little as possible

Are you eating less and feel like you’re starving… and still not losing weight? You most likely have a hormone imbalance. 

You need to focus on eating differently (avoiding the inflammatory foods above), not eating less, when you have a hormone imbalance. 

With a hormone imbalance, you will not lose weight until the root causes are addressed. With the right changes, weight loss can be consistent and lasting. You CAN heal your hormones by addressing insulin resistance, removing inflammatory foods and improving cortisol levels.

The primary root cause of many hormone imbalances is Insulin Resistance. This occurs when your body resists the insulin that is produced after a meal high in carbs. This causes these carbs to be stored as fat instead of used as energy. 

Post insulin resistance, inflammation sets in and you’ll begin to notice food intolerances (i.e. gluten and dairy). 

The underlying inflammation and insulin resistance take a toll on the body along with the constant daily stresses of life. High stress results in high cortisol levels, which can turn into Adrenal Fatigue.

Addressing stress, inflammation and carb intake will have a greater impact on your weight, energy and overall thyroid health more than limiting your calories.

Fasting 7 days a week

Fasting every day can cause the metabolism to drop and become sluggish, resulting in a weight plateau. This happens because your metabolism will adapt and slow down, so it’s important to only fast intermittently to see weight loss results.

My Keto Girl Method recommends fasting 5 days or less for a maximum of 16 hours per day. It really depends on how it makes you feel – fasting looks different for everyone. But with that said, it should feel like it’s a rest for your body – this is a great sign that your body favors fasting! 

There are many benefits to fasting. It can help balance hormones and aid in weight loss. It helps to reset the body which can improve eating behavior by making you more aware of your hunger and fullness. Other benefits include: reducing inflammation, decreasing sugar cravings, improving mood, regulating insulin and keeping metabolism optimal.

Knowing what to eat, how much, and when is not easy – especially when you have a thyroid disorder to contend with. But with the right diet, you can lose weight AND get off thyroid medication!

I’ve taught hundreds of women to eat mindfully, keep their metabolism optimal, and reduce their symptoms. And with my proven Keto Girl Method, you can do it too! If you’re interested in Keto Girl Coaching, check out my Keto Girl Program here!