I can't use Crisco shortening because of soy. My doc says no soy because of my meds for hypothyroidism.

[HeartsCanHope]

I've tried Crisco shortening substitutes without soy, but was not satisfied with the results, especially in cookies. Bought something from Whole Foods that was just gross--weird texture and taste. Tried just using butter, but that isn't ideal for some cookies--too spread out--even after freezing first. Have always used half Crisco, half butter in cookies with great results. Fluffy cookies with a great texture. Has anyone tried using cream cheese and butter in cookies? Someone suggested that to me lately. Wasn't sure if it would effect the taste like the shortening substitutes did. Any other suggestions? Missing good chocolate chip cookies. Finally found chocolate chips without soy lecithin that taste great. So looking to find a cookie batter solution without soybean shortening or shortening substitutes. Any help would be appreciated.

[KitFox]

1. I have a grandchild allergic to soy. I have had good

luck with Spectrum organic all vegetable shortening which is only expreller pressed organic palm fruit oil.

[HeartsCanHope]

6. That's one of the ones I used, (couldn't remember the names,) but the cookies tasted funny to me.

Even my two cookie monsters didn't like them! But I thank you for the suggestion. It was kind of you to reply. Glad you found something that works for you and is safe for your grandchild.

[Deuxcents]

2. I have hypothyroidism, too. Taken meds for almost 40 years n did not know about soy..

I’ll be checking the labels better but I usually don’t eat soy because I don’t like it but ya never know about what the ingredients are with it added. Hope you find a better substitute for your cooking..

[HeartsCanHope]

7. I take levothyroxine. I was told no soy, soy lecithin, walnuts and cottonseed oil.

I bake my own bread and read every label. My doc says it's not going to kill you, but it makes the medicine less effective. Also no caffeine, so only decaf coffee. Been really tough--I love caffeine!

[Deuxcents]

14. No caffeine and no otc meds..labels advise it, also.

I was never told about foods other than caffeine but the side effects from the meds are what I have to keep up with..I take BVitamin complex to deal with dry skin.. most have been trail n error care but as long as my thyroid hums along, I’m happy.

[buzzycrumbhunger]

3. There are great vegan options...

I use aquafaba (the water from a can of garbanzo or other beans) and extra virgin olive or sunflower oil, a pinch of salt, and maybe a pinch of turmeric for colour. Some use refined coconut oil (no smell or taste of coconut). End result is always a nice, buttery product that’s much better for you than actual butter or margarine. I use it for baking and cooking all the time.

If you’re reluctant to make your own, there are quite a few commercial vegan butters in the supermarket.


Check Pinterest for options— like this one: https://lovingitvegan.com/homemade-vegan-butter/#recipe

[HeartsCanHope]

8. Thanks, I'll look into this! Not a fan of coconut, but if it doesn't taste like coconut I'll give it a whirl.

Is it more like Crisco in texture, the vegan butter substitute? The Crisco/butter combo always made fluffy cookies that don't spread. Thanks again for the suggestions. I really appreciate your reply.

[buzzycrumbhunger]

11. I despise coconut...

… but the refined has absolutely no taste at all.

The aquafaba is what gives it the fluff. I use it as an egg replacer in meringues, cakes, to stick seeds to breads, in vegan mayo, butter, etc. Just a half cup whips into a big mixing bowl of fluff (see pic), and even the AF from black beans whips up snow white.

If you’re hesitant to make your own, there are lots of vegan butters on the market, including Miyoko’s. I’m assuming making our own makes it easier to ensure there are no ingredients you want to avoid.

[HeartsCanHope]

26. I used to love coconut as a child, but can't stand it now, too sweet.

I will try this. Everyone has been so kind with so many suggestions. Thanks again!

[Diamond_Dog]

4. Can you use half butter, half coconut oil?

I have had good results making cookies with those ingredients.

[HeartsCanHope]

9. Well, that's the second suggestion for coconut oil, I'll look into trying it.

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate how kind everyone is with suggestions!

[Kali]

5. I doubt if there is enough of anything but fat in crisco to influence thyroid function

but you could try lard. crisco was invented to replace it, after all. I use it for pie crust and it is great but haven't ever used it in cookies (I only use butter, don't care about puffy cookies, just good flavor)

lard can have a slightly wierd smell when baking but it tastes great in pie crust.

might want to discuss further with your doctor - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothyroidism/expert-answers/hyperthyroidism/faq-20058188

[HeartsCanHope]

10. I have cholesterol issues, so don't think that lard would work for me.

I used to bake pie crust with lard--long time ago. It really is flaky, isn't it? Those days are over for me, though. You were so kind to post. I do appreciate your suggestion.

[Kali]

12. you sent me off on a search

page 38 of this report on the isoflavones in foods seems to indicate none in soy oils.

https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/80400535/Data/isoflav/Isoflav_R2.pdf

most of the info out there is about how to increase isoflavones in the diet, so lots of lists (including that one) of foods WITH but not a whole lot on how to avoid or about crisco or other soy oil products. I think because the chemicals at issue are water soluble and not really present in the fats.

again, most levothyroxin absorbtion issues have to do with timing of med intake and food. I have no thyroid at all, removed 10 years ago, and have never really noticed any problems and I am kind of sloppy about timing. I try to take it early and go back to bed for an hour but that isn't always the way the day goes. LOL

my (now retired) endocrinologist never said anything about soy or soy products, just to take my levo 1/2 to an hour before other meds or food. in the hospital they will wake you at 3:30-4 AM to give you your levothyroxin.

[WhiteTara]

13. have you tried ghee?

[HeartsCanHope]

15. No, I have not. There is a huge Asian Supermarket about 45 minutes away.

They carry ghee. I'll have to look up how to substitute with it. Did not even think of it! Thanks for the suggestion. You and everyone else have been so kind! Thanks again to all of you!

[marble falls]

16. If I am baking, I use lard.

[HeartsCanHope]

17. I used to cook pies with lard, but with my cholesterol problems, and Type II Diabetes, it's not an option anymore.

Lard does make a good pie crust, doesn't it? Trying to be good isn't easy! I thank you for the suggestion, though. You are too kind!

[marble falls]

18. The problem I have with vegetable o is that they take a poly unsaturated fat and saturate the fat by adding ...

... hydrogen to it. Lard is better for one because lard isn't saturated. It melts at low temperature and it is also a high temp fat so it doesn't burn or oxidize at high temps. My pie crusts are good.

Finding a good cooking oil isn't easy!

[marble falls]

19. added: I never realized there was soy oil in Crisco - I always thought it was cotton seed oil.

[HeartsCanHope]

22. Doc said no to either one! Says either one makes the meds less effective.

Thanks again for the research on my behalf. You are so kind!

[marble falls]

23. I won't consume either voluntarily. They both have seriously bad things about them without adding the ...

... further complication of medical treatment.

[buzzycrumbhunger]

29. You can easily make your own ghee

Just warm up a mess of butter over low heat and when the milk separates and floats to the top, skim it off and dispose of it.

[HeartsCanHope]

30. Thank you for this! I'll have to try it. You are so kind!

[eppur_se_muova]

20. Sweet Potato/Carrot Fat Substitute for Recipe (food.com)

https://www.food.com/recipe/sweet-potato-carrot-fat-substitute-for-recipe-347628

Submitted by Cleoppa
"Found this one in Self magazine, February 2008. Use it in muffin recipes, etc., replacing up to 2/3 of the fat. Wanted to try it so posted it here."

ingredients
1 sweet potato, peeled and chunked
3 carrots, peeled and chunked

directions
Boil sweet potato and carrots in a medium pot of cold water for about 20 minutes, until they're tender. Drain and blend in food processor with 2-3 tbsp of water. Puree until smooth.

Full disclosure: I've never tried this myself. I wish they had given weights -- both vary enormously.

[HeartsCanHope]

21. Interesting. It would definitely effect color.

Might have to try this. Thank you so much for finding this for me. I really appreciate the time and effort on my behalf. Everyone on here is so kind!

[Ziggysmom]

24. Have you tried Earth Balance soy free sticks?

My daughter uses them and her baking is good.

https://www.earthbalancenatural.com/baking-sticks/soy-free-buttery-sticks

[HeartsCanHope]

25. I have not! Another item to add to my list to try.

Thank you so much. I searched the ingredient list and everything is on the okay list. I really appreciate your help!

[nilram]

27. I'd try discussing it with a different doctor.

I spent the last couple of hours reading peer-reviewed papers and my take-away is that most of the thyroid medication is absorbed in your GI tract within 30-60 minutes, but some absorption can continue for another three hours after. Some studies differentiate between foods you can potentially have in that first period, but overall it's better to not have any. And definitely avoid the foods you're warned against during the first hour, and maybe even the first four hours.

The warning about those foods is in the Synthroid package insert (https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2008/021402s011lbl.pdf):

Consumption of certain foods may affect levothyroxine absorption thereby necessitating adjustments in dosing. Soybean flour (infant formula), cotton seed meal, walnuts, and dietary fiber may bind and decrease the absorption of levothyroxine sodium from the GI tract.

Several sources indicated they just couldn't find testing to back up the warning about walnuts, but these are good examples of what I was reading -- Levothyroxine Interactions with Food and Dietary Supplements–A Systematic Review. I also read some good-quality patient resources like Do Walnuts Really Interfere with Synthroid Effectiveness? and I take levothyroxine (Synthroid), a thyroid hormone to treat hypothyroidism. Are there supplements or foods I should avoid, or be taking, due to this drug?.

I haven't seen anything that indicates I have to cut those foods out of my diet entirely. I've had my thyroid prescribed by five different physicians over the last 35-ish years, including an Endocrinologist, and they all indicated to take it on an empty stomach and avoid anything except coffee or tea for the first hour. Nothing about an overall dietary change. My sister takes her levothyroxine with a cracker, because her stomach needs that. Sure, that affects the absorption, but she takes the same cracker and the dose is calibrated to her TSH levels.

Unfortunately for me, I learned that, really, coffee and tea affect absorption, too. The study for that said that using coffee or espresso to down your pill was the worst, and it was less bad just have it later on in the 30-60 minute window. The latter is what I tend to do, and I'll think about it, but that's what I'll probably continue to do since that's how my dose is calibrated. If I change my habits, then I'll do so 6-8 weeks before my next thyroid check, so my dose is calibrated to my new habit.

Other interesting studies: Rats that are fed a diet with 20% soy meal have decreased thyroid output (though they may have also reduced their iodine intake, wasn't clear). Note that for a 2000-calorie diet, you'd have to consume 1.5 pounds of tofu every day to have 20% of your calories come from soy. None of the vegans I know come close to that. And if one of them is taking thyroid supplementation, then the dose is already calibrated to their situation.

Even in this study (The effect of soy phytoestrogen supplementation on thyroid status ...) where overall soy intake impacted human thyroid output, the conclusions note that soy has good effects on overall health ("soy phytoestrogen supplementation significantly reduces the insulin resistance, hsCRP, and blood pressure in these patients" ).

Overall, I don't see where your doc is coming from, if what he intended was an overall prohibition on those foods. Avoiding at breakfast, sure. But occasionally at breakfast? IMO, if your overall diet is the same as usual in the six weeks leading up to a thyroid check, then your thyroid dose will get calibrated to your situation. I'm not a doctor, though, so maybe ask him to clarify.

[MLAA]

28. Hi! I also have hypothyroidism and take levothyroxine.

I’ve never been advised about soy, caffeine or other foods. I do not eat or drink anything but water for 30 mins after taking it. You may have special circumstances or a particularly conservative doctor while I’m just under the care of a primary Dr. I am not the healthiest vegan, so I do enjoy soy based replacement foods.

Quick search on Mayo site: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothyroidism/expert-answers/hyperthyroidism/faq-20058188

Is it true that people who have hypothyroidism should avoid soy?

Answer From Juan Brito Campana, M.B.B.S.
For most people with hypothyroidism, it's okay to have some soy. But the timing of when you have it makes a difference.

Treatment for hypothyroidism usually includes taking the thyroid hormone medicine levothyroxine (Levo-T, Synthroid, others) every day. Research has shown that soy can make it harder for the body to absorb that medicine. But people who have hypothyroidism don't need to avoid soy completely.

If you have hypothyroidism, follow your health care professional's directions for how to take thyroid hormone medicine. In general, it's best to take the medicine on an empty stomach. And take it at the same time every day. Many people take this medicine first thing in the morning.

Wait at least one hour after taking thyroid medication before you eat or take other medicines. That includes food or drinks that have soy in them. There also are other ingredients in food, drinks, medicines and some dietary supplements that can affect the body's ability to absorb thyroid medication. Examples include iron, calcium and fiber, among others.

If you have questions, talk to your health care professional about how and when to take your thyroid hormone medicine.

Good luck!

[pansypoo53219]

31. try lard. i prefer pork. but its pretty much tasteless + crisps. might need salt. it is better for you.

[HeartsCanHope]

32. Thanks for your suggestion. Everyone has been so kind!

All the input is much appreciated!