The Best Diet & Workout for Thyroid Body Type

Dr. Elliot D. Abravanel created the body type diet and wrote the book "Dr. Abravanel's Body Type Diet and Lifetime Nutrition Plan." Abravenal says that there are four major glands in the human body, which include the pituitary, thyroid, adrenal and gonadal glands. He believed that everyone has a dominant gland that determines their body shape, metabolism and personality, and that each body type requires a different type of diet and workout program.

If you are a formerly slim person who has gained weight despite a high activity level, you might be a thyroid body type, according to Abravenal. Your thyroid gland sits at the base of your throat. It takes responsibility for controlling your metabolism. Abravenal describes the thyroid body type as a thin person who eventually gains weight. Thyroid types are usually tall and slim, but they tend to crave sweets, starchy foods and caffeine, according to Abravenal. He claims they gain weight in their stomach and thighs, but the rest of their body remains slender.

According to Abravenal Many people envy the thyroid body type for their active thyroids and fast metabolisms, which allow them to eat whatever they want without weight gain. Their overindulgence, warns Abravenal, catches up to them when they reach their 20s and 30s. Reliance on candy, starches, soda and coffee is their downfall. Thyroid body types experience thyroid overstimulation, which leads to a cycle of exhaustion and imbalance. Controlling sweet cravings at an early age may prevent future weight gain.

Thyroid body types have a seemingly high energy and endurance level, but they do experience fatigue. Instead of resting, the thyroid body type uses sweets or caffeine for quick energy bursts. Recognizing fatigue is the first step to controlling weight. Instead of running downstairs for a candy bar or an energy drink when you want to extend your two hour workout, go home and take a nap or get a massage. Abravenal believes that thyroid body types tend to emphasize aerobic exercise, but do not perform adequate resistance training exercise. He suggests three weekly weight training workouts. The added muscle, says Adravenal, will rev up your metabolic rate and assist with weight loss.

Dr. Abravanel advises his thyroid body type patients to cut down on what he calls "thyroid stimulating foods," such as sugar, white flour and white rice. He recommends eating eggs every day, as well as vegetables, chicken, fish and moderate portions of red meat. In the beginning of the diet, he tells his patients to eliminate fruit, since it contains too much thyroid stimulating sugar. Limit carbohydrate intake to whole grains, and completely eliminate caffeine. While there is nothing inherently wrong with his dietary advice, check with your doctor before starting any diet and exercise plan.