But how can I make it any healthier? here is my sample menu (from today)
Breakfast. Coffee with almond milk. Porridge oats with: blueberries, flax seeds, pumpkin seeks
lunch, vegan cheese sourdough sandwich, soya milk flat white
dinner: veggie burger, salad (including green leaves beetroot and tomato)
water... about 4 glasses..
Sorry to hear about your weight issues and problems with hRT.
Sounds like you defo need to work out a way to take in oestrogen but you need an endocrine overhaul too from endocrinologist re thryoid and you other hormones and especially given your Total hyster + BSO. I would try this and then get onto a 25 mcg patch as soon as you can and build up from there.....
I have only skimmed the posts as this thread is long but my first observation on your diet is too many carbs! You are eating extra carbs at every meal! I eat them at one at the most and often none! My son directed me to this when i was having the same problem - continuing to gain weight despite exercise and what I thought was a good diet - with TSH easily within normal range ( though not having measured the others).
I would replace carbs (as in the oats, sourdough and the burger bun) with veg, fruit, protein if you can. You should not need to measure calories - I have never done so but have always lost weight whenever I have needed to - on various diets over the years - and have always eaten when I'm hungry!
I would maintain a low fat low carb diet for some time and see how you get on - by low fat I mean low fat from protein ie in your case limit cheese severely, and keep fried foods to minimum except a little olive oil. Initially cut down on coconut milk/cream but take in most of your fat from nuts and things like avocados. If you are non dairy then that makes things a bit tricky re breakfast - I have oat type/muesli breks about once or twice a week and then no added carbs at other meals - but do eat normal unprocessed foods that contain carbs eg beans, pulses, root veggies except spuds. I usually eat eggs, yogurt and fruit for brek so not sure what you would have that is satisfying but low carb ( I'm sure there are ideas online....). I eat tons of veg based soup - always at lunchtime - big filling bowl of it - take in flask if you go out to work! Lots of unsweetened stewed apple ( but not excessive fruit).
Hope this helps a bit....
Hurdity x
