Should I see a nutritionist?

cherryrobot
cherryrobot Posts: 64 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello:)

I am not new to MFP but I don't post often. Just wondering what you all think.... I'm 5'5 and weigh 154 pounds. I carry it very well and most of my friends think I don't need to lose any weight, however my BMI is high AND I have felt like total crap for a while.

1 year ago I was diagnosed with hypothyroid and acid reflux. I take medication for both. I still felt just horrible so I decided to try changing my diet... I did the caveman diet / paleo and immediately felt worse... stuck it out for 2 weeks but I just felt terrible. I then decided to go vegan. It's been 2 months now and I have felt sooooo amazing ... my hair is shiny, my skin is clear, I have more energy. The problem is that I still get very bloated when I eat carbs (tested negative for gluten intolerance) so I am literally limited to vegetables for almost every meal. I can't really survive on that alone without wanting to shank someone in my office cafeteria so I've been suffering through eating a small amount of carbs with every meal. If I don't eat carbs with a meal, I feel great but I am starving, if I do I feel terrible but satisfied. I get so bloated I can't even suck it in, I look pregnant!

Is it time to just bite the bullet and try to go see someone? Or does anyone have any suggestions/natural remedies for bloating? Should I just stop eating carbs too?

Replies

  • brattyworm
    brattyworm Posts: 2,137 Member
    honestly if you want a good opinion yes. there are a few peeps on here that are real nutrionists, but most are a trial and error type people. i chose to shell out the dough to see one so that I get whats tailored for me. Not what works for someone else. Each of us are unique in our own way, no general diet plan will work for everyone. So by going and seeing someone who focuses on you, what you want, and your body is able to handle you get whats best for you.
  • SHBoss1673
    SHBoss1673 Posts: 7,161 Member
    It never hurts to go to a Registered Dietitian, make sure they are a registered dietitian though, not just a nutritionist. Anyone can hang a shingle and call themselves a nutritionist.

    since you have hypothyroid though, it might also be prudent to see a specialist in that regard, it's possible you have an allergy to certain foods. There's more allergies out there than just gluten intolerance. Soy for instance is a common allergy, which is put into an amazing amount of pre-packaged and bulk foods (like the stuff you get in a cafeteria).
  • Polly758
    Polly758 Posts: 623 Member
    What do you mean by "carbs"? Veggies are technically considered carbs, so I guess you're talking about grains. What kinds of grains do you eat? Bread, rice, quinoa? Even if you tested negative for gluten intolerance, maybe you could try cutting wheat out and see how you feel.

    Also if you look up "common food intolerances" you may see something that makes you go AHA! Maybe fatty foods or carbonated drinks?

    And of course if you open your diary we can see what you're eating and maybe someone will notice something...
  • Debbe2
    Debbe2 Posts: 2,071 Member
    Yes. A Registered Dietician can be very helpful.
  • aweigh2go
    aweigh2go Posts: 164 Member
    ***bookmark***
  • msierras1
    msierras1 Posts: 4
    I agree with the posts thus far. Do, indeed, make sure it is a registered dietician vs. a nutritionist. I've actually seen both. I consulted a trainer/nutritionist 2 years ago and he put me on an eating plan that was plentiful in calories and I lost 30 lbs in a year. Sadly, something changed and I gained 20lbs back. Being absolutely frustrated for the past year or so I went to the doc's to have a blood panel done to rule out any crazy things (thyroid, testosterone, other, etc.). All came back fine. The doc suggested I see a dietician (they actually have one on staff at my doc's office). I scheduled an appt and met with her last week. I felt good about meeting with her because I could explain where I'd been, where I was, and where I wanted to go. Just as you explained yourself in your post you will do the same with the dietician and have some dialogue about underlying issues and more importantly a strategy for moving forward. Go see one. CAll your doc's office. It may be covered by insurance. Mine was. Good luck.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Probiotics and papaya enzyme both help with bloating.

    Be aware that soy and high fiber can interfere with thyroid medicine absorption (calcium, too, but that shouldn't be an issue on a vegan diet). Sometimes other raw foods can be an issue too- do some research on goitrogens- raw cruciferous veggies, raw spinach, raw strawberries can be an issue- I don't stress too much about the things other than soy and high fiber though. I'm not sure the evidence is compelling enough when you're taking thyroid hormones.

    Edit: I realized I didn't answer your question- I think going to see a dietitian would be valuable for you- your conditions are too specific to take much generalized advice that would be available here.
  • tripod271
    tripod271 Posts: 112 Member
    bump
  • myfitnessnmhoy
    myfitnessnmhoy Posts: 2,105 Member
    tl;dr: yes.


    As a quick thing to try, (I'm one of the "try and see what works" people referred to above), if you're drinking plenty of water that can often help with bloating.

    But you've got a couple of conditions going on - it's probably a good idea to head off to someone who understands the conditions, knows their stuff, and can spend some time figuring out how they interact and how to deal with them as a combination. And you probably won't find them on a forum - they'll probably want to be compensated for their time.
  • beckajw
    beckajw Posts: 1,728 Member
    Hello:)

    I am not new to MFP but I don't post often. Just wondering what you all think.... I'm 5'5 and weigh 154 pounds. I carry it very well and most of my friends think I don't need to lose any weight, however my BMI is high AND I have felt like total crap for a while.

    1 year ago I was diagnosed with hypothyroid and acid reflux. I take medication for both. I still felt just horrible so I decided to try changing my diet... I did the caveman diet / paleo and immediately felt worse... stuck it out for 2 weeks but I just felt terrible. I then decided to go vegan. It's been 2 months now and I have felt sooooo amazing ... my hair is shiny, my skin is clear, I have more energy. The problem is that I still get very bloated when I eat carbs (tested negative for gluten intolerance) so I am literally limited to vegetables for almost every meal. I can't really survive on that alone without wanting to shank someone in my office cafeteria so I've been suffering through eating a small amount of carbs with every meal. If I don't eat carbs with a meal, I feel great but I am starving, if I do I feel terrible but satisfied. I get so bloated I can't even suck it in, I look pregnant!

    Is it time to just bite the bullet and try to go see someone? Or does anyone have any suggestions/natural remedies for bloating? Should I just stop eating carbs too?

    I agree with the above posts that you may want to see a registered dietician.

    In the meantime, I would suggest comparing the paleo diet you did with the vegan diet you are doing. During the paleo diet, you would not have eaten any wheat or beans, yet you say you felt worse. Now, you feel great except when you eat carbs. What kind of carbs? Fruit? Potatoes? Rice? Bread? Beans? I'm assuming it's not the veggies, because you're a vegan. Is there something similar between the two diets that is making you feel bad? Like fruit? Or is it a different kind of feel bad now?
  • cherryrobot
    cherryrobot Posts: 64 Member
    Great advice here... thanks so much. I think I will go back through my food logs here to see if there was something that's been a common theme.

    I also did not know a dietitian is not the same as a nutritionist. I am going to check my insurance and see what it covers.

    Thanks again!!
  • kehuizenga
    kehuizenga Posts: 151
    See a registered dietician (RD). Anyone can call themselves a "nutritionist."

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