Struggling with Hashimoto’s weight loss? You’re not alone and you’ve probably heard a lot of conflicting advice. Let’s clear the confusion by busting the three biggest myths that keep you stuck, so you can finally lose weight, balance your thyroid, and feel like yourself again.
If you have Hashimoto’s and you’re struggling to lose weight, manage symptoms and reduce your medication, you’ve come to the right place. As a Registered Dietitian, I specialize in helping hundreds of women with Hashimoto’s to consistently lose weight without unsustainable low-calorie diets.
You CAN reverse your thyroid imbalance, lose that stubborn weight and reduce your medication! However, there is a great deal of information floating around about how to do (& it may not be the truth).
Below are 3 common myths I see about treating Hashimoto’s weight loss, and what the Keto Girl Method recommends instead!
Myth 1: You have to eat less for Hashimoto’s weight loss
When you struggle with Hashimoto’s, what you eat is more important than how much. It’s all about reducing those inflammatory foods and getting the right balance of food types.
Keto Girl Method Recommends:
- Limit inflammatory foods
There are four key types of foods that contribute to inflammation, slower metabolism, and poor absorption of the medication. Limiting or avoiding these foods where possible is the best way to manage weight loss.
Inflammatory foods include:
- Gluten: can trigger a thyroid attack and slow your metabolism
- Dairy: can increase insulin levels and in turn worsen inflammation
- Eggs: often causes inflammation and leads to weight gain for those with autoimmune diseases, and those with hypothyroidism are also sensitive.
- Added sugar: increases insulin levels causing sugar to be stored as fat rather than used for energy
Instead, you should eat gluten-free grains, proteins, healthy fats, fruit, vegetables, and foods rich in iron.
2. Fast 1-3 times per week
Intermittent fasting has many benefits, particularly for those with autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s. By not eating for specific times in the day (or night) you can reset your body, decrease sugar cravings, regulate your insulin and improve weight loss.
Many people combine this with the keto diet to force their body to rely on fats for energy which often results in greater weight loss as it provides a longer window of time for the body to burn fat. Fasting is highly beneficial for Hashimoto’s weight loss.
I recommend fasting 1-3 times a week for up to 16 hours at a time, including the hours you sleep. I do not suggest fasting more than this, as it can have a reverse effect causing your body to stress and have a slow metabolism. Find out more about keto fasting in my go-to guide.
Myth 2: You have to use a carb or calorie tracker
Like mentioned above, eating too little can cause damage to your thyroid function and reduce your metabolism. Instead, listen to your body and focus on the right portions of macronutrients without weighing or measuring food.
In addition, you might think that losing weight means going carb-free every day. But if you continually limit your calorie and carb intake, your body will get used to its new diet and slow down its rate of fat burning.
Keto Girl Method recommends:
- Mindful eating
Mindful eating is a simple way to make food more enjoyable and promote better eating habits. The goal is to slow down, pay attention to your meal and be aware of your body, thoughts, and feelings.
Follow these simple steps and start eating mindfully:
- Switch off distractions and devices
- Set a timer for up to 20 minutes
- Check-in with your body – are you hungry?
- Take small bites of your meal and eat slowly
- Appreciate your food and consider the taste, smell, texture, and temperature of each bite
- Notice any thoughts or emotions that appear as you eat as well as how your body feels as you eat and swallow
- Check-in with your hunger and satisfaction during and after your meal – at what point do you feel full?
By practicing mindful eating, you will learn to tune in to your body’s needs and gain control of your eating habits.
2. “Fun” carb days
You can enjoy higher carb days 1-2 times a week to boost your metabolism and keep it optimal. I recommend doing this after your second month of dieting to promote consistent Hashimoto’s weight loss.
You should still stay gluten-free on these days to avoid symptoms and unwanted weight gain (find out more about Hashimoto’s and gluten) but feel free to enjoy more delicious Keto-friendly snacks!
Myth 3: You have to focus on exercising hard
Many people think cardio is the answer to weight loss, however with Hashimoto’s weight loss this may not be the case. Adrenal fatigue is another hormone imbalance that can go hand-in-hand with thyroid conditions. High intensity workouts can negatively impact your healing process by keeping your body in a fight or flight mode and storing additional calories as fat. Read more about adrenal fatigue here!
Keto Girl Method Recommends:
Healing your thyroid condition all starts with nutrition! Focus on making better food choices (and implanting the tips above), and when exercising focus on lower intensity options like walks, yoga or pilates.
If these myths sound familiar (and you’ve even given them a shot), don’t worry! I can help you transform the way you eat and aid in reversing your Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism!
Start your healing journey today with the Keto Girl Method
I see so many people struggle with Hashimoto’s weight loss, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
With my proven Keto Girl Method, I’ll teach you how to eat mindfully, optimize your metabolism and improve your Hashimoto’s symptoms. You’ll get a step-by-step action plan that will address the root cause of your thyroid condition as well as weekly Keto meal plans and coaching calls.
Say goodbye to counting every single carb and hello to fun, sustainable eating! With the right diet, you CAN lose weight and still eat the foods you love. Ready to get started? Join Today!