PCOS Diet

PCOS Diet & Lifestyle Plan

By Louise O'Connor, Naturopath & Wellness Coach

Health experts now agree that Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is linked to insulin resistance syndrome, a condition that leads to poor blood sugar control and weight gain. Insulin resistance syndrome is common in all women suffering PCOS, even when they are not overweight.

PCOS Diet & Lifestyle Plan - Diet Recommendations

My PCOS diet guidelines will help you banish sugary foods. This will help restore blood sugar control. Foods containing too much sugar cause rapid spikes in your blood sugar levels, placing unnecessary stress on your body. Over time this leads to the development of insulin resistance syndrome.

You do not need to follow a strict low carb, high protein diet. Just decide now to retrain yourself to select delicious foods that are highly nutritious and as close to nature as possible.

Avoid all the mass produced, convenience foods that have become so widely available.

Avoid refined carbohydrates such as soft drinks (soda), cookies, cakes, chocolates, sweets and sugary breakfast cereals.

Avoid foods containing sugar compounds such as high-fructose corn syrup, sorbitol, fructose, mannitol, maltitol, isomalt & glycerol.

Avoid ‘diet’ foods containing harmful artificial sweeteners. There is clear-cut evidence that artificial sweeteners do not assist blood sugar control. In fact, these synthetic chemical sweeteners can actually stimulate your desire for sugary foods.

Increase the consumption of fruit & vegetables. Ideally you should consume 2 serves of fruit and 5 serves of vegetables daily.

Note: Obtain organic fruit & vegetables if possible. Certified organic products are grown and processed without the use of synthetic chemicals, fertilizers or genetic modification.

Organic fruit and vegetables are better for you than conventional fruit and vegetables as your hormone imbalance may make you overly sensitive to chemicals within your food.

If you cannot source organic fruit and vegetables it is possible to wash all fruit and vegetables in a solution of one part apple cider vinegar to twelve parts water to remove pesticide and chemical residues. Rinse the fruit & vegetables in filtered water to remove the vinegar smell.

Choose wholegrains, which contain all parts of the grain. This includes: oats, corn, rice, wheat, barley, rye, triticale and millet.

Limit processed grain based foods such as boxed breakfast cereals, white bread and pasta. Choose wholegrain alternatives such as: muesli, porridge, steamed rice, wholegrain pasta and wholegrain breads, including spelt & rye.

Note: Fibre is abundant in fruit, vegetables and whole grains. Fibre contributes to improved blood sugar control and healthy bowel function.

Protein foods such as fresh fish, lean red meat, organic chicken, organic eggs or secondary protein such as whole grains and legumes should be eaten twice a day to help balance your blood glucose levels.

Fish is an ideal protein source as it does not contain saturated fat or hormone residues. Eat local, fresh fish 2-3 times a week if you are not a vegetarian.

The type of fat in your diet plays an important role in assisting with insulin reception at the cell level. Cold water fish, organic eggs, avocadoes, extra virgin olive oil, macadamia nut oil and raw nuts and seeds are rich in essential fatty acids.

Are you ready to get the junk out of your body? Stop buying meals from fast food outlets. These foods are packed with calories, sugar and unhealthy ingredients.

Limit the intake of saturated fats that are found in red meat, chicken, deli meats and dairy foods. Avoid trans fats found in margarine, TV dinners, commercially prepared snack foods and deep fried food.

Ensure you eat regularly and choose healthy snacks mid morning and mid afternoon to balance your blood sugar levels between meals. Fruit, nuts, seeds, protein shakes and natural yoghurt all make healthy snacks.

PCOS Diet & Lifestyle Plan - Lifestyle Recommendations

Along with improvements in your diet, some changes to your lifestyle will also have an effect on reducing the symptoms of PCOS.

Quit smoking. Smoking stimulates androgen production, the male hormones that exacerbate weight gain, excess facial hair and acne.

Avoid alcohol. Alcohol places extra stress on the liver, a major organ that assists in balancing your hormone levels.

Manage stress and anxiety. Stress has a major affect on your hormone balance. Do things that you enjoy and follow your passion, whatever that may be.

Stay well hydrated by drinking 1.5 – 2 litres of filtered water daily. This will detox your system and can reduce fluid retention problems.

Get Moving. Perform light to moderate exercise 3-5 times a week. Regular exercise leads to weight loss and improves your capacity to deal with stress.

(information from Natural Weight Loss Programs - http://www.natural-weightloss-programs.com/pcos-diet.html)