Begining My Day

Every person is unique when determining dietary needs. Of course, the first word of advice is to consult with your primary practitioner and endocrinologist when seeking guidance for a meal plan. From my personal experience, I can share some do’s and don’ts to a colorful diet. Like many other scenarios for coping with an autoimmune disorder, you learn quickly what agitates the disease and causes negative symptoms to come alive. For me, how I begin my day determines the mode of success. I get up and take my methimazole with plenty of water, but wait one hour before eating any breakfast. I love coffee and usually, I begin drinking coffee in the process of killing time. Anxiety, or what I feel is the disease letting me know it is punishing me, establishes a rough start to my day. I read articles, look at recipes, and watch commercials on creating juice drinks to decrease inflammation in the body and boost metabolism. It’s a struggle for me in the morning because I am already on the shaky side, and I have no energy. Just make yourself do it. Plan your meals in advance the evening before. If I do not execute time management wisely, I will suffer tremendously.

 

Anti-Inflammatory Fruits

I have read so many blogs where people take anxiety medication or other antidepressants to cope. The more pills I consume, the more side effects I am dealing with. This causes my heart to race more, I feel shaky and dizzy. Maintaining a healthy diet by adding color will not cure your autoimmune disorder but choosing the proper foods will help in managing symptoms. So, I have established that products with caffeine can agitate anxiety and body tremors. Use moderation when consuming them. Blueberry’s, raspberry’s, and blackberries are high in antioxidants. These fruits are anti-inflammatory and will help to keep the immune system strong. Maybe buy and organize the fruits in small containers ahead of time, so you can enjoy them in a smoothie or alone with other foods. An autoimmune disorder means your immune system is attacking healthy tissue in your body. Your body is not only trying to fight off the bad stuff but also the good stuff. As my endocrinologist says, “my body is at war”! Determining dietary needs are important.

 

Dietary Calcium

Dietary calcium is important for strong bones. Someone with an autoimmune disorder might need to take vitamin D and eat foods fortified with calcium and dairy in them. I love lite yogurt and I try to also join nuts and grains into my diet. I want to consume the right portions of foods but with Graves disease, I am always hungry. Cruciferous vegetables are part of the goitrogen family. Some examples are cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, and kale. They can help in controlling the amount of hormone the thyroid produces. If you have a goiter, I am told it is best to eat broccoli and cauliflower steamed.  Again, here comes the smoothie advice because this is a great snack in between meals. Become creative when planning what you are putting into your body. I just saw at Peebles where they sell the single juicers, and I thought this was great for people to take to work or on the go with lifestyles being so hectic today! Make life simple!

 

Sources Of Protein

Finally, the body needs protein. We all need proper muscle mass and energy to feel good. Such nutrients are found in chicken, turkey, and other meats. Nuts are also a source of protein. Depending on circumstances, weight loss or weight gain can decide how often and how much to eat. I try to eat smaller proportions maybe in 5 to 6 meals a day. Try to make time, and actually sit down to eat your meal, so you can digest all the important nutrients properly. If the body doesn’t naturally produce fatty acids, it is necessary to get them in foods. I want my life filled with quality, and my door is always open to the suggestions and advice of others suffering from autoimmune disorders! What I try to accomplish, every week is planning meals ahead of time. I set a goal for Wednesdays and Sundays to prep and cook.

I have three recipes for smoothie drinks on my home page. Maybe we can share meal ideas, and tricks for simplifying the day when determining our dietary needs. The buddy system works for me when adding color to my diet!