[bendandbreak]

The only thing I've been diagnosed with is hypothyroidism but I believe I am Insulin Resistant. I am 32 and about 100 lbs overweight. I came to this forum because I'm trying to get information and figure out what I need to do next. I want to learn good ideas of what I can eat because if there is one thing I've learned it's that everyone else I see trying to eat healthy is in a different boat than I am in. Any suggestions?

I'm still working my way through the forum here to find other posts that can help me but I thought I'd start here.

[MyBestYear]

Hey there and welcome

In my humble opinion, the best diet to eat with hypothyroidism and Insulin Resistance is the glycemic index diet. Basically, it is where you eat lowish to moderate carbs, whole grains (nothing white), low glycemic index foods (foods that break down into sugar more slowly in your system) and link your carbs with protein and fat. For example, as a snack you wouldn't just have an apple. You would link the carb (apple) with protein and fat - so an apple with natural peanut butter, or an apple with a few cheese cubes. Linking in this way helps to slow the process of sugar hitting your system triggering insulin release. The idea is to keep your insulin levels as even as possible without spikes or drops.

A Google search of "glycemic index diet" should yield a ton of results. Basically, a whole foods' diet with very low sugar, whole grains, lots of vitamins and fiber, and linking protein and fat with carbs to slow the conversion of carbs to sugar in your system. I am a huge fan of this way of eating because it seems intuitive (it mirrors a very healthy, nutritious diet).

Good luck, this is a very supportive place

[MyBestYear]

Oh and I am also counting calories. At my size (I have over 100lbs to lose), I am consistently losing 2lbs (or more) a week on a 1600-1800 calorie a day plan. So, don't restrict too much or you will wind up doing more damage.

Take care

[mom with issues]

Hey there. I don't know how relevant this is, but I want to tell you my story. I saw a doctor who is totally holistic and works with nutrional supplements. I ended up going to see this guy becuase my 12 year old son say him and after his "testing" (which is a pretty weird process) he told me that my son has digestive problems. Well, my son has always had digestive problems. For a while he was on a mild laxative which helped him, but after he started using that, things went back to usual.

Anyway, there is no way this guy could have known that my son had this problem and I came to find out that he was only having a BM every 3 or 4 days. So not right. So just for the heck of it, I decided to see him, since I have been unable to lose weight unless I really counted my calories (which I hate doing) and working out like a maniac (which I also hate doing).

So he told me I had an adrenal problem, which affects the thyroid, pancreas, and adrenal glands. So he put me on some supplements. Yeah, yeah. Meanwhile, he tells us to stop eating "unhealthy food" but to do it gradually. Take something you eat every day and go to every other day, then every third day, etc. Three weeks ago neither one of us was doing any better and for my son's sake, he told us to stop all grains and dairy cold turkey.

I really hated the thought, but if my son had to do it I was going to do it with him. I started doing research and found that any source I looked at, the first thing it told you about digestive problems is NO DAIRY!! Anyway, I don't know if its the supplements or the diet (I sort of suspect the diet) but in 2 week, my son lost 10 lbs. and I lost 6. Needless to say, we are still sticking with it and I am continuing to lose weight.

It sounds like it would be really hard, and sometimes it is. Going to the grocery store and seeing all the things we can't have is horrible. Once you get used to is though, it's pretty easy and we both feel better. It certainly has been worth it. By the way, I don't count calories, stay away from processed food and the only exercise I do is taking walks. So I eat lean meats and can all the fruits and veggies I want.

Sorry this post is so long, and I don't know if it has anything to do with what you are going through, but maybe it does. Best of luck to you,

[Issa]

I'm in almost the exact same boat as you... I have hypothyroidism and insulin resistance due to PCOS and at least 75 pounds to lose. And as was said higher in the post I've read the best thing for insulin resistance is the glycemic index type diet. I've ordered a couple books and they just came in the mail today about it and the little I've looked so far it seems like its more about the food choices than anything... picking whole grains and low to no sugar items, whole foods like fruits and veggies and eating often enough and good things when you do to maintain your blood sugar at an even level. I imagine theres lists all over the internet of specific foods that would be low glycemic index or chapters or amazon would likely have books on it as well.


Best of luck!

[bendandbreak]

Thanks for all the ideas everyone.

For a while now I've been doing 90% whole grains and I work hard to get protein with all the grains. I'm not always great at this as I'm a carb addict and I get easily turned off proteins. I think the hardest meal everyday is breakfast, I feel I have the least control over that.