Essential foods for the "perfect" diet (veggies, Weight Watchers, overweight)

[jco]

Okay, my much anticipated doctor's appointment was today. I'm happy to report that I will FINALLY be treated for my thyroid next week. The doc did tell me that it will take at least six months until I'm normalized, so I shouldn't expect wonders right away. She also put me on a 1,300 calorie/day and five 30-minute exercises/week plan because of where my metabolism is now. Basically, the goal is to stop gaining weight, and as my thyroid normalizes, this should become losing weight.

1,300 calories sounds like little food, but I know I can pack a lot of nutritious food in that plan, so my question is: What foods do you think are essential for daily/weekly eating? I'm really into fruits, veggies, and whole foods, so any of these suggestions are great. Basically, I want to eat the same thing for breakfast/lunch each day and have seven meals for dinner that I rotate and know that I'm getting all the nutrients I need. It sounds boring, but I need scheduling and this is the easiest way for my busy family. Your help is treasured!

BTW - I will post this weekly menu in case anyone else is interested. You can add an extra serving of something to get it up to the calorie intake you need.

[nikos]

Where is the weekly menu?

[mommabear2]

jco - here are my essential foods I feed my family every week:

oatmeal w/ flaxseed and 2 tbls of wheat germ
Spinach, broc., romaine lettuce salads, tomato, acorn squash - basically any veggie
Canned tomato for soups
Garlic
EVOO
Fish, turkey, tofu,
Soy milk
Kefir and/or Stoneyfields yogurts (higher in bacteria)
Wraps (whole wheat - 90 calorie ea., high fiber)

I always have these items in my kitchen.

[vpcats]

Jco, so you have hypothyroidism?
What was the doctor checking for before putting you on a plan?

Gosh, 1300 calories is sooooooo little.

I will look forward to the weekly menus. I can certainly get on that bandwagon myself!

Have you looked into Weight Watchers? They have that point system and after you starve for a few days, you get used to it and it's really not bad. I know a ton of people (me included) who have lost a lot of weight with that. I got tired of it after a while and couldn't make all the meetings.

If you go to a live session, it's better. A good speaker has a lot to do with it and plus you have the peer pressure - everybody is in the same boat and you all motivate each other and exchange lots of ideas.

As for food ideas - it's a good thing you like fruits and veggies. High fiber and green! You also need your 5 oz a day of some real protein. Something to sink your teeth into!

Good luck JCO!!!!!

[jco]

I actually have hyperthyroidism, but in 10% of patients, it leads to a messed up metabolism that leads to weight gain. Of course, I can't be part of the 90% who experience weight LOSS!!! She's been monitoring me with a bunch of blood tests. We've treated and tested everything else that could be causing the weight gain, so this is what she decided it was.

My friend does weight watchers and has lost some weight with it as well. I guess I'm just going for a diet that will be rich in all the nutrients our bodies need and full of foods that fight diseases and build up the immune system. I stayed up late last night researching the best-for-you foods, and I'm really excited about it! I don't know that it will work for everyone else since it's only 1,300 cals, but I'm sure you can increase portions or add another mini-meal to it.

mommabear2 - Great idea! I'll add flax seed and soy milk to my oatmeal in the morning. Thanks also for the yogart suggestions. I think I've already included the rest of what you listed.

[vpcats]

Jco... I have to tell you. My little dog is FAT. Very. I do not overfeed him but he racks up the pounds and has been on many different vet prescribed foods, portion controlled, etc.

We did a T3, T4 and cortisol test on him and his cortisol levels were sky high so I had to take him to the internist and he's been through some testing to see if it is Cushing's disease, or Syndrome. I believe this presents as hyperthyroidism when it's actually a pituitary or adrenals problem.

His testing did not show positive for Cushings EXCEPT he's right at the borderline of it being positive and he has all the symptoms of it, so he's on treatment and diet anyway to see if there's any improvement. If he doesn't lose weight (which he isn't losing), the vet wants to do ultrasound on him to check the adrenals, which could be corrected with surgery.

I don't know if I'll go that far. His heart is OK, no diabetes, none of those problems because of the overweight.

Anyhow, we are not so different from our pets in many respects. I think my baby falls in that 10% area you're in also. I'm sure your doctor has tested for all this other stuff too and it does seem to be a watch every ounce of air you put in your mouth.

[jco]

Yup, that is my problem T3, T4, and TSH. I do have a pituitary problem that's being treated right now, too. My doc originally thought this was the source weight problem, but I'm still gaining after almost a month of treatment. I wasn't tested for adrenals, though. Perhaps I should have been?

[vpcats]

Originally Posted by jco

Yup, that is my problem T3, T4, and TSH. I do have a pituitary problem that's being treated right now, too. My doc originally thought this was the source weight problem, but I'm still gaining after almost a month of treatment. I wasn't tested for adrenals, though. Perhaps I should have been?

Can't hurt to ask if you should be or not.
It's a very complicated issue. I've read just about everything I can find on it (with regards to pets) and, since I am not a doctor, I don't understand it completely but it's worth a shot to check further.