Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease that can sap you of your energy and your will to live. It doesn’t have to, though. If you’ve been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, there is hope. You can heal. You only need to stop doing what you’re doing and make some changes.

When you begin the process, you will be in shock; I won’t lie. If you’ve lived a life filled with bread, cheese, and the processed “goodies” (or should I say baddies, not a word, I’m sure), you will find it challenging to change initially. Once you get “clean,” you will find it easier to choose foods that are healthy for you.

I went all out. I stopped eating everything, did a massive body cleanse, and stopped eating anything deemed harmful to my thyroid. I probably went overboard. The good thing about this is I cleaned my body of toxins, which made it easier to stay away from “junk food.” You don’t have to be so extreme.

You can start slow. You can eliminate certain foods that might be triggers. Once you see improvement, you’ll know you are on the right track. I define improvement as feeling better. You will have more energy, focus, and hair will grow back. Eventually, with continued care, you can take your condition into remission.

If you want to take the slow path, you will have to recreate a food journal. Go back as far as you can remember (a difficult task when you have Hashimoto’s) and write down foods that you eat or ate and then a corresponding reaction. You will be looking for stress, illness, mood, hair loss, and overall health. When you see some consistency, remove those foods from your diet. You’ll see improvement when you feel better; then, you’ll know which foods to eliminate permanently.

I took the route I did because I didn’t want to be on medication. My doctor said she would give me thirty days to get a handle on my situation if I could do it – no meds, if not – well, I don’t have to worry about that now. I’m doing well right now, and I take one day at a time. I started with a detox plan (depending on your gut makeup; this may not be an option for you). Then introduced organic, grass-fed foods free from pesticides and hormones – no processed foods. I supported my diet with adaptogens and vitamins to support a healthy lifestyle and got plenty of rest.

One of the best ways to live with Hashimoto’s is to start with a healthy diet. Figure out which foods are harmful and stay away from them. Encourage yourself to eat fresh organic food as often as possible. Balance your adrenals by providing support with adaptogens such as ashwagandha and tulsi (holy basil). Remember your vitamin D and vitamin B (Stress formula). Changing your lifestyle is a lot of work, but when you compare it to a lifetime of illness and a life without joy, the choice is simple.

I encourage anyone suffering from Hashimoto’s to live a good life, medication-free, if possible. I recommend working with your endocrinologist to find a balance in your life so you can live with Hashimoto’s in remission. Change is never easy, and when it comes to your health, you have to take it seriously. Talk to your doctor about alternative options and work with your health care provider to heal so you can laugh again.