The Thyroid And Weight Loss Struggle We All Face
Thyroid and weight loss is usually an uphill battle for most people. In fact many people, especially women, don’t even realize they have a thyroid problem that is contributing to their weight gain. When your thyroid gland is working at a less than adequate pace your metabolism starts slowing down to a crawl and in turn you starting gaining weight.
Are you looking for a thyroid diet and are confused about how to lose weight? Have you tried every plan out there with no success? Learn about some alternative diet options for thyroid and weight loss to help your body release those pounds and start feeling better in the process.
The Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean Diet has earned elite status as “World’s Healthiest Diet”. This is not a traditional “diet”: it is a new way of eating for life, based on healthy foods commonly eaten in Mediterranean countries.
The Mediterranean plan is high in bulk, but also allows you to enjoy the flavor and texture of healthy Omega 3 fats. You’ll benefit from fresh vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fruits and fish, such as salmon or tuna. It isn’t necessary to totally give-up meat, just don’t eat is as frequently and choose smaller portions.
Unless you’re a die-hard meat eater, it’s easy to stick to this advantageous thyroid diet.
The Paleo Diet
For those people, who resonate with caveman food, the Paleo plan is another way of eating to consideration. It can become stringent as Paleo cuts out entire food groups: grains, sugar, starches and most dairy products. The basic premise is that optimal health can be achieved by eating like our ancestors, before the advent of agriculture.
Eating Paleo is a meat lover’s dream! Wild meats like bear or alligator are “suggested”, but free-range beef, chicken or buffalo is acceptable. You’re allowed all the fresh fruits and vegetables you can eat, provided they appear on the list of acceptable foods. Peanuts aren’t permitted, but most other nuts can be consumed.
Many people are raving about Paleo as one of the best diets for thyroid and weight loss.
Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers has successfully assisted people, for over 45-years, with weight loss efforts. They advocate their diet is not a diet per se, but a healthier way of life. This is one of the thyroid and weight loss options to look into. Especially if you like structured meal plans and benefit from a weight loss support system.
Keep careful records. You’re probably aware that Weight Watchers hinges on counting points. Foods are assigned a point value based on their caloric, fiber and fat gram values. Each day you’ll work with personal points. “Spending” them as you wish promotes total flexibility in eating.
The down side of flexibility is that you can spend all your points frivolously.
The Flexitarian Diet
Becoming a flexitarian is a gradual way to transition to total vegetarian eating, if desired. The concept is simple; eat vegetables until you feel the need for meat. This thyroid and weight loss diet focuses on three levels: two days each week without meat, four days and finally the “expert” flexitarian, who eats at least five vegetarian meals per week.
Experts agree eating vegetarian is one of the healthiest diets for and weight loss problems.
When you begin researching for a thyroid diet that works, be mindful that poor eating habits and other stressor’s can contribute to thyroid disease symptoms. Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, or the rate our food is converted into energy. Unexplained and unwanted body-fat gain is a common symptom associated with thyroid conditions and is a problem for many thyroid disease patients.
Thyroid and weight loss plans should also concentrate on diabetes prevention, a health consequence resulting from excess insulin and being overweight. In a four year study, pre-diabetics were able to lower their blood sugar adequately to avoid type 2 diabetes. I was surprised to learn the connection between Diabetes and autoimmune Disease such as Hashimotos Disease.
Diets for thyroid problems ideally target whole-body health through immune system building. Any chronic medical condition compromises the immune system so keeping your immune system healthy is an important step towards feeling well.
As long as you’re nutrient-conscious and exercise as often as possible, you’ll almost certainly be successful following whatever thyroid and weight loss system that calls your name!