</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"> a real good remedy is to add flax seeds every morning. This usually doesn't last long, if at all, but the seeds really help and they are low in carbs. You can buy them at health food stores and just grind them up in a coffee grinder and put them in a shake. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">how much do you put in and what kind of shake do you use? an Atkin's shake? i don't actually have a coffee grinder... ya think i can use a blender?? i wonder...

thanks

I bought a cheap coffee grinder [they cost $8 at Walmart] for mine. You can throw about 3 TBS in a shake or some drink you usually drink in the AM. I don't like the Atkins protein shakes because they are made with soy protein isolate which can play havoc with your thyroid.

Here are some other suggestions I found on the Atkins website:

If adding more fiber in the form of vegetables to your diet isn’t doing the trick for you, try a dose of crushed flax seeds to relieve your constipation. This excellent natural remedy is available at any health-food store. Stir 2 teaspoons into a glass of water and drink it down in the evening—you’ll probably get results the next morning. Oat or wheat bran is another natural approach. An alternative is a bulk-forming sugar-free fiber supplement made from psyllium (Fiberall®, Metamucil®). These products are available as powders, capsules and wafers; use as directed on the package. Unless your doctor recommends them, don’t use chemical or herbal laxatives or stool softeners. These products can cause uncomfortable cramping and diarrhea, and their effects may remain with you for several days.

P.S. please go easy on this stuff! Too much fiber can also bind you. Our secretary actually ate so many salads that she got bound up and caused a blockage in her digestive system. She was in the hospital all week long with a infection in her digestive system. They told her to lay off the salads and the nuts. That is rare, but too much is not good either!

Hi,

Just wanted to add that flax is available as a capsule and a liquid as well. It's easier than chopping the dern things up.

D.

Will, but she is trying to get more roughage in her diet, hence the ground seed version. It would defeat her purpose if she took the oil version. Thanks for the tip, though!

I've used all of these - flaxseed, psyllium and oat bran - they all work for me!

Remember that psyllium should be drunk with at least 8 oz of water (probably more) all at once, in order to provide enough water to help "bulk it out" - otherwise, you run the risk of blockage - so remember - psyllium plus LOTS of water.

Oat bran is good because it also helps clear cholesterol.

But flaxseed is great for women because it's also a hormone-balancer - good for women whose thyroids need help. I now eat a seed bar mid-morning - made up of flaxseed, pumpkin seed, sesame seeds and pumpkin seeds, with a little rice and oat flour for binding - wheat-free and egg-free. I find this satisfies my carbohydrate-craving and has a really beneficial effect on my system.

LIR

thanks everyone <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

you now have me wondering if i did the same thing as your secretary. this time around, i have been eating tons of salad and vegs, because i felt the first time i was not being very healthy about my food choices, i was keeping to low carbs, but i was not doing many salads/veg. this past attempt i actually read the book and decided i needed more salads/veg. maybe my problem is i went to far with that thought.

i forgot to ask...

melodylane, what shakes do you use then? do you use any?

My favorite, and a big seller, are Keto shakes powdered protein drinks. They don't have soy in them and taste really good. You mix them with water and a splash of whipping cream and they froth up just like a shake. They are wonderful! I buy them at a local health food store or you can find them at www.netrition.com. I use a Braun stick mixer and it mixes it up with very little mess very quickly in a shake cup.

Melody -- You got a problem with soy? I'm trying to up my soy intake, due to its cancer-fighting properties, etc. If there's some bad news about it, I'd like to know.

Stay away from soy isolates, whatever you do. It is a processed form of soy that is linked to thyroid damage in NUMEROUS studies. I was drinking soy protein shakes every day and suddenly took on all the symptoms of hypothyroidism, weight gain, hair loss, fatigue, lowered basal body temp. When I quit the shakes that all went away in about 3 months.

If you are concerned about a diet that prevents cancer, I would eat lots of vegetables, low glycemic fruits and stay away from refined sugar. I avoid soy like the plague now!

http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/soydangers.htm