Hello from Peekawho, CL of Dieting Community and Healthy Cooking Community!

[peekawho]

Hi!  
I'm Peekawho, CL of the Dieting Community, and the Healthy Cooking Community.  I'm popping in to invite any of you to come over and make yourselves at home, have a cup of coffee, read, and contribute if you can.  I've personally lost 45 pounds over 6-7 months with simple changes to  my diet, and with sensible exercise.  It can be done without pills, and without severely depriving yourself.  I've been able to cut my BP meds in half after losing weight.   My husband was able to completely stop his diabetes meds, and his BP meds after losing 65 pounds.  Of course, this  may not happen in other situations, but if it could, wouldn't it be fantastic?   Simple changes that you can keep up in the long run are what will keep you healthy for a lifetime.

What we eat can have a major impact on many different health conditions, including thyroid disorders.   Good, healthy food does not have to be boring and bland!  Food should be nourishing, delicious, and fun to experiment with.  I make better choices now, but still allow myself some treats when I feel I really want them.  

I'd love for any of you to come and look around the Dieting Community, and the Healthy Cooking Community.  Please feel free to join the community and contribute often.  Others might be able to learn from your experiences, and we're always in need of great tasting, healthy recipes and nutrition tips related to other health conditions!

I'll look forward to seeing you soon.

Thanks,
Peekawho

[Liz94]

This may sound bizarre but I've never been a fan of ice-cream and since my thyroidectomy I'm eating it quite a bit.  I find myself craving it all the time. I'm even buying all different flavors and I used to be strictly vanilla when I wanted it which was hardly ever.  I know I read somewhere that craving ice-cream can mean you are dehydrated. But, I can chug a gallon of water and still want the Ben and Jerrys!  I guess in a few months I'll be looking at the weight loss forum!

[blksapphire]

Peek,
Thanks for the invite.   Since I have been havng trouble with my thyroid, I have gained about 60 lbs and let me tell you I have tried just about everything all the way down to eating one meal aday.  I know that was not good practice since I am hypoglycemic.  

I rarely use to eat salt and sugar, however now I often crave salty foods and sugar. I have never cared for the salty taste, now i feel like i must have it at times.  That and sugar.

I will definitely check out the forum.  I am still learning from this thyroid thingy, so I need all the help I can get.

Thanks and take care
Terri

[ChitChatNine]

Would I sound awful if I say I hate the taste?  Anybody going to *attack* me ... ?!   I know my putting up barriers won't help solve the issue ......... but that is my reasoning.  If I had to do substitutes for diabetes, as an example, I would do it in a second .. the sugar for me is more of a "comfort feed" .. and my thryoid is healthy except half is now gone .....

I never tried Stevia .. does it have that afterbite?

C~

[peekawho]

Can you not use sugar substitutes, such as Stevia, Splenda, or Equal?

I know that some people have issues with Splenda or Equal, but Stevia is a natural substance that some people use.  Its super concentrated, so you don't need much.  Most natural food stores carry it, and even some big chains that have a natural foods section carry it.

[ChitChatNine]

I tried to eliminate the raw sugars .. I tried and failed.   Maybe I need the addiction tracker .. addicted to raw sugars ... I tried, but somehow honey in my coffee didn't do it for me :( ......... and on my cereal ..............  boo hoo ... since I have to wait 1/2 hr for food after taking my synthroid with my coffee ........ emotionally I just needed that real sugar fix.  I guess I just am don't have that comitment yet .. [ vent ]

C~

[redheadaussie]

You mean my Lead Underpants Syndrome in the water can be cured by using a floaty device...sheesh..we colonials are so far behind! Hee hee.
Sadly I having no thyroid means giving up the tons of soy I used to eat as a vegetarian, and I now eat chicken and fish again. I refuse to eat red meat, some think I already have Mad Cow Disease!
I've been seeing a Naturopath to try to feel better and the one thing he did mention is how mostly females will fade around 2 to 5pm...and go for a quick sugar snack to pick them up. Hard these days with advertising on TV to eat this or that for a 'quick pick me up' So easy to fall into the trap of eating a muesli bar...(have you seen how much fat and sugar these have?!) or sugary cake etc.  An apple at the fade out time has just the same amount of kick start as a cup of coffee but with more fibre..how incredibly easy is that? AND cheaper!
  Keep up the good work, and I hope you have much fun on this forum as you can handle!
Cheers from the Land Downunder!

[peekawho]

I crave sugar, too!  Its a constant battle.

I must say, since getting much of the highly processed foods out of my diet, I do have far fewer cravings than I did before.

I focus on lean meats (less lately, my husband and I are heading back towards vegetarianism), fat free dairy (3 servings a day at my age), whole grains, at least 5 day of fruits and veggies, and healthy oils.
Dairy, for me, seems key towards keeping cravings in check.

I will admit ignorance in the area of diet and thryroid disease.  I have a lot to learn in this area, and am doing a lot of reading this morning.

Exercise---its always been my bugaboo.  I enjoy how I feel afterwards, but actually doing it is another thing.  I did join a good gym (here in SoCal, they are not expensive at all, around $45 a month) and have a routine that is tolerable.  I try to go at least twice a week.
One activity I really enjoy is swimming.  My gym as a nice heated pool, and its my reward after a hard workout.  I usually do about 15-20 minutes of lap swimming after working out.  Even if you can't swim, there is a belt that I see many people use (its called an Aqua Belt or something like that).  It holds you afloat, so swimming is possible for everyone.  
At least twice a month I take an Aqua Aerobics class.  Again, non swimmers can do it, and you really do what you can do.  There are people of all shapes, sizes, and fitness levels in the class.

Many communities have a recreation center with low cost memberships available, if you feel you can't afford a gym.  And of course, you can exercise at home...but for me at least, its harder to motivate myself.

[stella5349]

Hello and thanks for coming overe.

So many here have issues with weight and as you know - it is tough to take off the pounds even without a thyroid problem.

What kind of ideas can you offer regarding very low carb and the elimation of goitrogenic foods (i.e., brussel sprouts, broccoli, soy etc)

Sugars are big No no's for thyroid patients as well as many other life long dieters - but most thyroid patients crave sugar.

In my experience - thyroid patients need to focus on high proteins especially in the am and taper to very light meals in the late afternoon.

This is hard since most of our society eats their heavy meals after 4 at dinner.

Moderate exercise is another very needed thing to give suggestions too. Energy levels of a thyroid patient are very low when hypothyroid. Sometimes most have a hard time to function let alone exercise.

Very low impact exercise and daily routines would be great suggestions to get them in a routine until their thyroid levels balance out.

I sure am open to hearing any suggestions you have.

[Me967]

Hey Peek.  Great idea on the healthy cooking forum.  I hope it takes off great!  It is a defendant plus to the MH site.  I have been trying a few ideas and put 2 on there of my own.  One's a little crazy though for most people I think.  I love looking on there for new ideas.  

I really need to check into the dieting forum more though.  LOL.  My problem is more so with proportion I think and my stupid thyroid.  

Take care and great job.

[nellster]

Hello and thank you for the welcome.  

[redheadaussie]

I'm late but I am heading over there right now!

[ChitChatNine]

WELCOME To the THYROID Community Peek!

There are many here who are battling their weight and trying to lose some lbs. w/o success .. I hope they'll stop by and see if there are any ideas and great recipes to help us out!

Thanks for stopping by .. and WELCOME to Thyroid and congrats on your new community Healthy Cooking!

Cheryl

[Thypatient]

Thanks for the invite.  I checked out the Healthy Cooking Community and when I saw the word ratatouille I knew I would stay.  That, along with caponata, is one I'm forever looking for variations on.