Discussion Board

Does it make a difference in your energy levels?

I have been hypothyroid since 8/92. While I don't eat soy every week, I do not avoid it. I usually have tofu about once every month or so. For me a little is OK.

Does avoiding or eating soy make a difference in my energy levels?

I am hypothyroid, so I was alarmed when I read elsewhere that I should avoid certain foods like soy, cabbage, broccoli, etc. I did some more reading, and the studies seem to suggest that these foods only cause problems in the presence of iodine deficiency. I don't know how reliable any of this information is, because I only read second-hand interpretations.

However, I began buying iodized salt and continue to eat my cruciferous veggies and occasional soy. Since McDougalling, I have been successfully reducing my dosage of thyroid, so I don't think any of these foods have had a negative effect.

I also don't know whether to eat soy, cabbage, etc. due to being hypothyroid.

Lisa M.

I think moderation is the key. I eat all the cruciferous vegetables plus soy, just not every day or every week (soy). I haven't had any problems and with McDougalling, I've been able to maintain a low level of thyroid meds mainly because my weight came down since the diagnosis.

I've never heard this before - my daughter is just discovering that her thyroid is low, and it's new to us. Not sure what it means.....

I've been hypothyroid for a few years now, and I still eat all the cruceriferous veggies. I have read that cooking them reduces their goitrogenic effect, but I still occasionally eat raw cabbage and broccoli, just not a lot of it. I never ate a lot of soy to begin with, so that wasn't really a problem, but I don't avoid it, either.

I tried cutting these items out of my diet, but frankly, I didn't notice a difference, and they're all my favorite foods! I love collard greens, broccoli, lima beans, turnips, rutabagas, the list goes on and on.

It horrifies me that food that's so good for me could also be bad for me.