I’ve been doing a lot of reading about the raw food diet. I don’t feel comfortable doing it myself. The main reason is that certain foods like cabbage can affect the thyroid negatively, if not heated.

Here’s a quote from Livestrong about it:

“Cruciferous Vegetables

A goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland that indicates hypothyroidism. A goitrogenic food contains a substance that can affect your thyroid, slowing hormone production. Cruciferous vegetables all contain goitrogens. These include all types of cabbages, such as napa cabbage, bok choy and Brussels sprouts; broccoli, cauliflower and kale; and collard, mustard and turnip greens. If you have normal thyroid function and consume adequate amounts of iodine, these compounds will have no effect on your thyroid. The Institute of Medicine has established the recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, for iodine at 150 mcg daily. One tsp. of table salt contains 400 mcg of iodine.”

Since I have hypothyroidism, I will be cooking my broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. The raw food diet does have the major benefit in that it is very rich in nutrients. This is where I feel like my previous diet was lacking.

I know I have shared that I have a very slow metabolism, and that my body has done well on a lower carb diet. The problem is that I have steadily gained weight over the past year and that my allergies and asthma have flared up again.

I am starting a 60 day challenge for myself. This challenge is my own creation and is my way of experimenting on myself to see if this way of eating will help me feel better and lose the weight I’ve gained.

My guidelines:

Lower carbohydrate fruits: eaten after a workout.

apple

peach

plum

blueberries

blackberries

Vegetables:

broccoli

cauliflower

peppers

avocado

cabbage

onion

okra

green beans

lettuce

spinach

peppadew

radish

asparagus

Brussels sprouts

Protein:

eggs

chicken breasts

shrimp

fish

turkey

Fats:

grass-fed butter (Kerrygold is my very favorite)

Heavy Whipping Cream (for my coffee–1 Tablespoon a day)

almonds

pecans

Extras:

Red wine (5 oz. per day)

Tea

Coffee

My goal is to eat mostly vegetables. I will eat fruit in limited amounts only after workouts. I will eat lean proteins a few times a week. The fats will be limited to my morning coffee and with vegetables.

I will stay away from all added sugars, grains, and all processed foods.

I look forward to sharing my results with you. I’d love to hear if anyone out there wants to join me or has any suggestions for me as I start this challenge.