Goodbye McDonald’s; hello to healthier eating when you have Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism
McDonald’s is closing 700 stores this year due to poor performance. Although it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the more than 32,000 stores worldwide, flagging sales and closing stores are a sign of changing times — customers are opting for healthier food, such as that served by Chipotle and gourmet burger chains.
When you want to appropriately manage your Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, this is an important trend to join in order to improve your thyroid health.
In response to falling sales, McDonald’s is investigating dumping antibiotic-laced chicken and rBST (hormone) milks, adding sirloin burgers, and even introducing kale smoothies and salads.
Although we still have a long way to go as a nation, consumer habits point to an increasing consciousness of healthier eating. No doubt many of the 36 percent of Americans who are obese would rather not be, and are cutting back on fast food consumption as a result.
Americans are also seeing skyrocketing rates of autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. Switching from fast foods and junk foods to a whole foods diet is a vital foundation to managing your Hashimoto’s.
New technology help you live healthier when you have Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism
Health experts also point to the increased use of smart phone apps and the rising popularity of health tracking technology such as the FitBit for cajoling Americans to become more interested in their diets.
These are also great tools in working to better manage your Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism.
For instance, some apps let you use your smart phone to scan product bar codes for nutrition information. Other apps make logging your diet and exercise easy — awareness is fundamental to healthier habits.
Apps also can plug you into a community of others on the same path to make you more accountable, to seek and offer support, and to share victories. One app (Pact) even requires a financial commitment: If you don’t meet your goals you have to pay up, and if you do, you earn money from those who haven’t.
Eating and living healthier to manage Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism requires simple changes
Avoiding McDonald’s and eating more healthfully doesn’t have to be a burden. It just requires simple steps. Also, unless a chronic illness requires immediate remediation, lasting dietary and lifestyle changes are best taken on bit by bit. Although your Hashimoto’s symptoms may require immediate remediation, such as going strictly gluten-free, take the bulk of the changes bit by bit for lasting success.
With that said, here are some steps you can implement to eat more healthfully to better manage your Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism.
Educate yourself
Do you understand how eating healthier will improve your health Hashimoto’s symptoms? Even a little bit of self-education is hugely empowering and motivating.
Plan your meals
Eating at McDonald’s is often a stressed-out, last-minute decision. Healthier eating requires advance planning, such as packing food or knowing where to eat out. For instance, it’s not as cheap, but health food stores such as Whole Foods can offer much healthier and still very quick meal options to keep you on track with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism management.
Make a grocery list
Take some time to think about your grocery list. Do some research, explore, try new things. It can make healthier eating fun.
Clear out the old temptations
Empty your house of all the junk foods so you don’t fall into bad habits. Find some new, healthier treats for those times you need a comfort food without sabotaging your Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism diet.
Cook in batches
Healthier eating requires more preparation and cooking. You can save time by chopping and storing veggies ahead of time, or cooking large meals and freezing serving sized portions for later. This will keep you on track with your Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism management plan.
Ask my office for more advice on better managing your Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism.
