A: The Thyroid Diet is a "low-glycemic" "good-carb" "good fat" plan. By low-glycemic, I mean low-sugar, and when there are carbs, I recommend the high-fiber fruits and vegetables. For the maximum of one or two servings of starchy carbs a day most of us need, I recommend focusing only on those starchy carbs with high-fiber - like a bran muffin, or high-fiber cereal. So I discourage high-sugar foods, but do suggest at least 5, if not 9, servings of low-glycemic vegetables - with some low-glycemic fruit - per day. And of course, good fats. Avoiding trans-fats, and saturated fats, and incorporating good fats, like olive oil, olives, avocados, fish oils, and essential fatty acids.
Q: You're very honest about your struggles with weight loss. I bet you've heard a lot of advice on this matter. What is the best piece of advice you've received? The worst?
A: The best piece of advice - find something, anything, you love about your body, and focus on that. I think if you hate your body, you are almost guaranteed to fail. Even if the only thing you love is your hands, or your eyes, or your pretty feet, then tell yourself "I have gorgeous hands/eyes/feet." STOP the negative self-talk, that constantly running mental commentary about how you feel/look/are fat. It's completely demoralizing and unconstructive, and only when I stopped doing it myself did I begin to lose weight.
The worst piece of advice? "Once you start taking the thyroid drugs, don't worry, the weight will just fall off you!" As most patients know, this is just a big myth! Don't believe it!
Q: Your plan involves exercise in a significant way. Could you please explain for my readers why exercise is so important for those of us with thyroid conditions, especially hypothyroidism?
A: Exercise, in particular, strength/muscle-building exercise, is one of the most clear-cut ways to raise metabolism. Muscle burns more calories, even at rest, than fat, and so building strength and muscle is one way to raise our resting metabolism. Feeling stronger also makes it easier to do other exercise, like aerobic exercise, which can also help burn calories and energize us as well.
Exercise also helps balance brain chemistry, and blood sugar, two factors that help to reduce appetite, minimize depression, and increase energy, all factors that can help you lose weight with a thyroid condition.
