AIP? Thyroid changes?

[asekal54]

Hello,

I’m new here & was just thinking about something today that I need help with. I’m on day five. The primary reason I’m doing Whole30 is because I have chronic physical pain, most likely due to fibromyalgia [my mom has this]. I don’t know for sure but I have a rheumatologist appointment at the end of the month. I started eating “clean” earlier this year to see if it would help with anxiety & obsessive-compulsive disorder. It did help that, but not the physical pain. I decided to do this to see if I have any intolerances to gluten, dairy, etc.

The last few days I’ve been thinking about the autoimmune protocol & whether or not I should do it. I have hypothyroidism, but I’m not sure if I have Hashimoto’s [autoimmune]. I know a few years ago my endocrinologist mentioned Hashimoto’s, but I honestly don’t know if she said I have it, might have it, or am at risk for it. I did not really eat eggs before Whole30, but am now having them every day with breakfast so I don’t want to be sabotaging myself if I do need to be doing the autoimmune protocol. I’m torn between finishing my regular Whole30 & seeing what happens or starting fresh with the AIP. Does anyone have any advice? I include sweet peppers with at least half of my meals & also use cayenne & other AIP off-limits spices, so I feel like the AIP might limit my choices more than others’. I know it’d be worth it to find out if these foods affect me negatively, but I’m wondering if it’d also be worth it to complete the regular Whole30 first to see if there’s even a need to try the AIP. I know it’s ultimately my own decision, but would like some opinions from others.

I’m also starting to wonder if I have begun to reverse my hypothyroid with the clean eating & the Whole30. Ever since Friday [day 2] I’ve been waking up shaky. It continues on & off throughout the day. I know that can be a symptom of hyperthyroid so I’m wondering if maybe my high dosage of synthetic thyroid is too much for me now. I have an appointment next month to get it checked out, but until then, I’m wondering if maybe it’s something else? I’m pretty sure I’m eating enough food. Here’s what I eat in a typical work day:

Breakfast: 6 oz coffee with compliant cashew milk, an egg & sausage casserole [this is Aidells chicken/apple sausage, eggs, spices, onions, peppers, & squash], usually a piece of fruit, & chia seed pudding [just chia seeds & ½ can of light coconut milk]

Lunch: Today it’s a baked sweet potato, chicken breast cooked with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, & spices, & one small avocado.

Dinner: Today I’m making meatballs with spaghetti squash & compliant marinara. Dinner is usually just a serving of meat & a bunch of veggies that are cooked in olive oil.

I’ve also been having a bottle of kombucha the last few days. If I get hungry in between meals, which usually only happens between breakfast & lunch, it’s usually just some nuts or nut butter. Sometimes I have leftover chia pudding that I couldn’t finish at breakfast so I’ll finish that.

I’m also fairly active; 12000 – 16000ish steps per day, cardio/strength training 3 or 4 days a week [30 – 35 minutes]. I’m 26, 5’7”, & currently about 125 lbs. I think I’m eating enough, but honestly I don’t know. I was doing about 1800 calories when I was eating “clean” & I was trying to lose a little weight, which I did. I did keep track of calories out of curiosity when I first started the Whole30 & it looks like I'm getting between 1800 & 2000 per day. I don’t want to underfeed myself now on the Whole30 but I don’t want to overfeed myself, either. Any thoughts on this?

[ladyshanny]

The last few days I’ve been thinking about the autoimmune protocol & whether or not I should do it. I have hypothyroidism, but I’m not sure if I have Hashimoto’s [autoimmune]. I know a few years ago my endocrinologist mentioned Hashimoto’s, but I honestly don’t know if she said I have it, might have it, or am at risk for it. I did not really eat eggs before Whole30, but am now having them every day with breakfast so I don’t want to be sabotaging myself if I do need to be doing the autoimmune protocol. I’m torn between finishing my regular Whole30 & seeing what happens or starting fresh with the AIP. Does anyone have any advice? I include sweet peppers with at least half of my meals & also use cayenne & other AIP off-limits spices, so I feel like the AIP might limit my choices more than others’. I know it’d be worth it to find out if these foods affect me negatively, but I’m wondering if it’d also be worth it to complete the regular Whole30 first to see if there’s even a need to try the AIP. I know it’s ultimately my own decision, but would like some opinions from others.

Breakfast: 6 oz coffee with compliant cashew milk, an egg & sausage casserole [this is Aidells chicken/apple sausage, eggs, spices, onions, peppers, & squash], usually a piece of fruit, & chia seed pudding [just chia seeds & ½ can of light coconut milk]

I’ve also been having a bottle of kombucha the last few days. If I get hungry in between meals, which usually only happens between breakfast & lunch, it’s usually just some nuts or nut butter. Sometimes I have leftover chia pudding that I couldn’t finish at breakfast so I’ll finish that.

 

First, the line I've highlit above is what the standard recommendation is to everyone. Do a standard Whole30 first and see how you go as the regular plan is already anti-inflammatory by nature.  Then, if you still need some improvement, you could try AIP.

 

Second, the chia pudding is not a good idea and is not at all recommended here.  Chia seeds are like any other nut or seed; meant to be limited. And you shouldn't be eating pudding for breakfast.  Focus on proteins, veggies and better fats such as avocado, homemade mayo, ghee etc.

 

Finally, if you are needing to snack because your meals are too small or you have longer than 4-5 hours between, focus on protein, fat and veggies. A mini meal, if you will. If you can't manage all three, protein and fat or protein and veggies are your best options.  Again, nuts and nut products are to be limited (think one closed handful every other day).

[asekal54]

Thanks for the advice. I just want to make sure you know I'm not eating just the chia for breakfast; I also have a decent serving of the egg/sausage/veggie casserole which also has olive oil in it, and a serving of fruit. I mainly added the chia to get more fat [from the coconut milk]. I'll try replacing it with something else. I don't always need a snack [didn't today] but I guess I'm just not sure what to do for a portable protein source. I haven't been able to find compliant jerky at my Whole Foods or Sprouts. I'm thinking of just ordering some but until then am not sure what to do. I only like eggs scrambled & really browned [don't like the wetness otherwise] so I think hardboiled eggs are out. Any suggestions?

[ladyshanny]

Thanks for the advice. I just want to make sure you know I'm not eating just the chia for breakfast; I also have a decent serving of the egg/sausage/veggie casserole which also has olive oil in it, and a serving of fruit. I mainly added the chia to get more fat [from the coconut milk]. I'll try replacing it with something else. I don't always need a snack [didn't today] but I guess I'm just not sure what to do for a portable protein source. I haven't been able to find compliant jerky at my Whole Foods or Sprouts. I'm thinking of just ordering some but until then am not sure what to do. I only like eggs scrambled & really browned [don't like the wetness otherwise] so I think hardboiled eggs are out. Any suggestions?

How portable does it need to be? Most cooked protein can keep outside of a fridge or cooler for a couple hours or you could always put it in a cooler with an ice pack if you need it to keep longer? Burger patties, meatballs, sliced/cubed steak or chicken breast, chicken thighs.  All portable.

[asekal54]

Haha, honestly, I think what I meant by "portable" was "doesn't need to be cooked so I don't have to prep more food." I think I'm prepped out after prepping 8 hours Sunday. I feel like there has to be a more efficient way for me to prep but I have yet to find it...

[ladyshanny]

Haha, honestly, I think what I meant by "portable" was "doesn't need to be cooked so I don't have to prep more food." I think I'm prepped out after prepping 8 hours Sunday. I feel like there has to be a more efficient way for me to prep but I have yet to find it...

8 hours? That is way too long.  Here's how I would/do prep.

 

Sautee 2# ground beef and 2# ground turkey/pork/chicken in seperete pans until brown. 

Put 2 dozen boneless, skinless chicken thighs on a cookie sheet or two and throw in the oven at 435F for 35 minutes. On the bottom rack of that oven, place a few sweet potatoes.

With another 2# ground meat, season and form patties and put those onto the bbq. 2# meat should get you about 6-8 burgers, more if you also mix in some mashed sweet potato (and they will stay more moist).

On the stove top, steam 2# green beans and a pot of brocoli. When done to aaaalmost ready, take them out and put them in containers, they reheat beautifully.

Now you have 4# ground meat, 2 dozen chicken thighs and 6-8 burgers, a few sweet potatoes and some basic green veggies ready to go.  And it should only have taken you about 90 minutes. If you get really crafty, you could throw a whole chicken in the crockpot with some lime juice, chili powder and a bit of coconut milk and let that go all day and then you have a bunch of cooked, moist chicken, too, for no extra time beyond washing the crockpot when done.

Add to this, some bagged coleslaw, canned fishes (salmon, tuna, sardines), compliant olives, avocado/guacamole and one of your frittattas and you should be set for several days.

 

For actual cookup help from actual experts, google "Mel Joulwan Weekly Cookup".

[asekal54]

Thanks so much. I will try that. 

 

Any idea where the shakiness might be coming from? Is it just my body adjusting to not having stuff like oats for breakfast or could it be a thyroid thing? I'll know for sure if it's thyroid-related next month but until then...

 

Also, do my activity levels sound sufficient for pre/post-workout snacks? I'm not sure. I read It Starts with Food but I can't decide if the snacks are geared more towards athletes or if my 30-minute Jillian Michaels DVDs warrant snacks.