Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (aka Hashitmoto’s, Hashi’s) is an autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid. This is the most common form of hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid) affecting more women than men. I don’t technically have Hashimoto’s but my amazing doctor helped me figure out that all of my symptoms were leading to it. Since learning that I could develop Hashimoto’s I’ve had to do a major overhaul on my diet. The biggest reason is so I don’t destroy my thyroid. My doc is all about keeping off all unnecessary medications. I’m on supplements, but that’s a whole other story.
For three months I was on the AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) diet. Basically I didn’t eat anything “fun”. The only items really allowed are meats, veggies, and some fruits. No gluten (which I have issues with anyway), no grains, no nightshades, no white potatoes, no dairy, no eggs, no chocolate, no processed sugar, no no no.
After the three months was up I felt like my gut was finally on the right track, and I had taken control of the inflammation in my body. So, I started adding foods back in. I quickly learned that peanuts suck with my stomach, white potatoes make my face round (too much sugar), rice attacks my joints and stomach, gluten is a NO, and nightshades will cause heartburn/slight inflammation. There’s more but we don’t need to go there.
Sugar is a comfort, a boredom suppressor, a mood lifter…sugar is DELICIOUS. And it’s so easy to get. My dealers are all just a drive away, and they have tons of options. But that’s the point, isn’t it? There are options. And I have the opportunity every day to make the right choices. When I fail by going through the drive-thru I have to forgive myself and move on. Most days I’m on point…other days I feel like a complete failure. (My failures are heavily linked to my moon-cycle. Yay hormones.)
Did you know that the glycemic index for white potatoes is 110!?
Now that I know what I can and cannot eat, it’s been really difficult for me to always stay on track. Like, you would think that someone who smokes and has to wear an oxygen mask all the time would quit smoking, but they don’t always. It’s because it’s hard. Mentally, it’s draining! Sometimes I just really want a crab-meat rangoon, okay?! Sometimes I really want to have the gluten free foods that have all the rice flour and potato starches in them. But, starch = sugar. Did you know that the glycemic index for white potatoes is 110!? Shut up, right? I KNOW! Pineapple is around 56. Let that sink in. Potatoes are SO good…and I shouldn’t be eating them…you think I would keep them out of my mouth, but apparently I don’t care about the side-effects. *insert eye roll here*
Sugar addiction runs in my family. That’s why there is a prevalence of cancer, diabetes, Hashimoto’s, etc. All of these diseases FEED on SUGAR. How insane is that? We are also thrust into a society that feeds on sugar. I digress. It’s been rough at times to find the balance, because my body just tells me I want it. When I have too much (which doesn’t take as much as you would think), I feel like hell has frozen over my body. One would think that would change things completely. (Think: smoker who’s on oxygen). It hasn’t. Not completely.
I have to give myself a pat on the back. I am doing well…I just fall at times and then feel like a complete fake, a fool, a failure. When I stick to my guns and say, “NO, you’re not going through the drive-thru, or NO, you’re not going to eat the bread!”, I feel powerful. I feel happy, and I end up feeling amazing all day and for all of the days I decide to eat well.
This is something I battle every day. I have to choose to not eat the sugary foods. I have to choose to pass on the delicious, gluten filled cake at parties. I have to choose to be healthy. I have to choose to keep fighting. At the end of the day, I have to choose me. Sometimes I fall…but I have to keep getting back up. My life literally depends on it. Cheers to making better choices more often, and cheating far less.
We all struggle with something. What do you struggle with?
All my love,
Jamma
I can feel your pain. I’m on very similar diet, due to my brain, but my body benefit much as well. Until I fail with the sugar. Every month. Sometimes a humble apple is enough to put me on a sugar roler coster which doesn’t end until I realize I became a junkie again. And withdrawal is awful every time, again and again. Thanks for sharing your story and all good.
Thank you for sharing with me. I pray you find strength in trying and trying again. 💜 Jamma
Im definetly addicted to sugar. I was in hospital for a bit and it was a stressful time since then I havent really cared about my diet and have packed on the pounds. Ive also started smokign which is bad too.
Smoking is hard to quit. I still battle with it as well. I just remind myself that I will quit again. And it will come at the exact right time. Diet is number one. Yes, smoking causes issues, but not as much as diet.
What are you able to do for you to care about your diet? How can you make you number one?
I also struggled with sugar addiction…I’m talking giving up real food in a restaurant if I knew they had great desserts and chocolate for breakfast. When I found out giving it up would help my symptoms I was on a mission to make it happen. I was fortunate to find some supplements that work great for me and I’ve been able to eliminate all gluten and most sugar. I’ve felt great and dropped 20 lbs on top of it.