PCOS and Diet

I was told to keep a diabetic diet. Try to keep it low glycemic index and ALL carbohydrates at under 40% per day. That is darn hard... so I accustomed my diet to allow 45%.

I have PCOS and I'm insulin resistant - I do low carb. The past few days in my diary have been wacky, but I try to stay under 50-60 carbs a day (while also monitoring my calories). Carbs spike your insulin, and insulin plays a big role in PCOS for most women.

I've been doing this for a month now, and I feel AMAZING. So much more energy, more alert, and feel healthier overall. I haven't been on the scale in awhile - but people are starting to notice my weight loss. Low carb needs to be a lifestyle change. Once I'm at my goal weight, I will still continue to do maintenance. I refuse to go back to eating like I used to. Good luck

Yes!! I noticed a huge difference!!

I lost 80 pounds before getting pregnant with my twin daughters--I ate white potatoes, white bread etc and it took me 2 years to lose that. I was doing weigth watchers but I didn`t follow a clean eating diet or a low gi diet or anything, I just stayed under my `points``. I didn`t pay attention to what or when I ate as much and I`d feel food highs and lows and feel so sick sometimes. I`d eat 100 calorie snack packs, or `healthy granola bars`or use crystal light in my waters---now none of that!!

This time, I`m eating clean and I switched all white rice, white bread na white potatoes to sweet potatoes, wild or brown rice and squirrel bread ( little big bread.) I only eat 2-3 servings of fruit a day and the rest vegetables. For breakfast I usually have a carb--like a whole wheat wrap with egg whites, salsa and sauteed vegetables inside. Lunch I have a salad with avacado, a balsamic vinaigrette dressing and 4 oz. of a lean meat like salmon, chicken, half a tin of tuna, a lean steak or pork. For dinner I usually have 1 cup of a green vegetable, half a cup of an orange vegetable, half a sweet potato and then 4-5 ounces of a lean meat. I also try to not eat in the evening.

Out of those servings of fruit, I make 1 serving berries, 1 a citrus fruit and the last is a fruit of my choice--I ALWAYS PAIR A FRUIT with protein!! eg. an apple + 1 TBSP of peanut butter, 1 orange or a cup of grapes with 23 almonds, fat free plain greek yogurt with berries, fat free cottage cheese + 1 small kiwi. Feel free to add me as a friend if you want and check out my food diary : )

I eat 6 meals a day--around 2-4 hours apart and plan them the night before. I go breakfast, snack1, lunch, snack 2, dinner, snack 3 : )

I notice my blood sugars stay steady, I don`t get crazy mood swings or energy dips and I feel satisfied all day--the weight is just falling off this time!! I can also work out faster, longer and harder than I ever have!

My skin is so clear and beautiful (before I had acne), I`m noticing my hair and nails are amazing!!! I`m getting my periods on time, it`s awesome : )

I am now 4 pounds lighter than my prepregnancy weight!!!

I have PCOS and have always found that no matter what lifestyle I chose, if I do not workout consistently then I do not lose.

However, I've always found that eating low glycemic is the best method for me to get a good weight loss combined with exercise. I lost 30lbs in 2011 then gained it back after not eating or working out, then found out I had hyperthyroid, lost 50lbs Oct - Jan of 2012 by eating low glycemic and working out... I was put on horomone meds and was able to get down to 248 last July, but then I came off of them I gained 15lbs. and that is where I was stuck..

I started a Low Carb cleanse (it's my own version of Atkins) on Monday and this week with working out I lost 6.4lbs!

The most important thing is to research what you eat, know how it effects your blood sugar and how to counteract the things you love with a valuable source of fiber and protein.

ALso workout!! it's important part of the journey, biking is proven to lower insulin levels and that is ultimately what is going to help you lose weight.

I also have PCOS, Hyperglycemia (pre-diabetic), along w/some other hormone related ailments. I do think that they are all related and are all directly affected by diet. That is why I am been focusing more on a clean whole natural foods for a nutritious dense diet. I am begining to find a coralation between any hormone disorder and gluten sensitivity. Not sure why that is, but did read that a lot of the mainstream wheat products come from GMO wheat and in turn has "super" gluten as a result. This could be why when your hormones are not working properly they have a really hard time processing the gluten esp. a more potent form like a "super" gluten from GMO wheat.

Try taking a look at some of the suggestions in "The Blood Sugar Solution" by Dr. Mark Hyman, he and Dr. Daniel Amen came up w/a great diet plan.. called the Daniel Plan, which is based on the Biblical story of Daniel, so pretty much a "clean" diet omitting gluten and dairy as they are two of the top food allergy/sensitivity sources.

I have been doing a modification of this trying to work my way into full gluten free. But just by minimize my overall intake I have noticed a huge difference. And when I go back to having more, like this last week I had grape nut cereal for b-fast two days in a row, on the 2nd day...ugh I was feeling it by the afternoon. I do like my toast, but try for a more whole grain protein loaded version, oroweat makes a brand called healthful, about 80cals per slice w/5 grams of protein & fiber ( I like the nutty grain one). When I have that I don't notice any big differences but when I buy a reg. loaf of whole wheat bread, that does not sit too well w/me I get all achy like I am having a fibro flare up. Although I think this is just from the GMO wheat used in a lot of wheat breads and in cereals, so when I have the nuttygrain it has more grains and nuts rather than wheat, plus extra fiber and protein which may help to process the gluten and help to prevent a high blood sugar spike.

I basically just keep experimenting on finding the right balance for my specific needs. Keeping a food diary and noting how I am feeling through the day really is a big help w/this. I try to keep to a low glycemic & clean diet for the most part and drinks lots of water. I also stop drinking coffee and switch to green tea w/a little honey and wow I no longer get the afternoon tired feel anymore. That was a hard one for me, because I love my coffee, use to have a pot+ a day... but I was just sick of feeling sick all the time so I started to omit things from my diet one at a time and I noticed that too much wheat, diary and caffine will make me feel sluggish, achy, bloated w/ headaches etc... So by keeping those items down to a minimum I don't feel so bad and can still enjoy them in my diet as long as I don't overdue it. However I do know some people who can't even have a little or else they get all sick, so really it is just a matter of listening to your body and finding what works for you.

Yes!! I noticed a huge difference!!

I lost 80 pounds before getting pregnant with my twin daughters--I ate white potatoes, white bread etc and it took me 2 years to lose that. I was doing weigth watchers but I didn`t follow a clean eating diet or a low gi diet or anything, I just stayed under my `points``. I didn`t pay attention to what or when I ate as much and I`d feel food highs and lows and feel so sick sometimes. I`d eat 100 calorie snack packs, or `healthy granola bars`or use crystal light in my waters---now none of that!!

This time, I`m eating clean and I switched all white rice, white bread na white potatoes to sweet potatoes, wild or brown rice and squirrel bread ( little big bread.) I only eat 2-3 servings of fruit a day and the rest vegetables. For breakfast I usually have a carb--like a whole wheat wrap with egg whites, salsa and sauteed vegetables inside. Lunch I have a salad with avacado, a balsamic vinaigrette dressing and 4 oz. of a lean meat like salmon, chicken, half a tin of tuna, a lean steak or pork. For dinner I usually have 1 cup of a green vegetable, half a cup of an orange vegetable, half a sweet potato and then 4-5 ounces of a lean meat. I also try to not eat in the evening.

Out of those servings of fruit, I make 1 serving berries, 1 a citrus fruit and the last is a fruit of my choice--I ALWAYS PAIR A FRUIT with protein!! eg. an apple + 1 TBSP of peanut butter, 1 orange or a cup of grapes with 23 almonds, fat free plain greek yogurt with berries, fat free cottage cheese + 1 small kiwi. Feel free to add me as a friend if you want and check out my food diary : )

I eat 6 meals a day--around 2-4 hours apart and plan them the night before. I go breakfast, snack1, lunch, snack 2, dinner, snack 3 : )

I notice my blood sugars stay steady, I don`t get crazy mood swings or energy dips and I feel satisfied all day--the weight is just falling off this time!! I can also work out faster, longer and harder than I ever have!

My skin is so clear and beautiful (before I had acne), I`m noticing my hair and nails are amazing!!! I`m getting my periods on time, it`s awesome : )

I am now 4 pounds lighter than my prepregnancy weight!!!

That is awesome, great to hear your story, very inspiring! Keep up the good work! Your diet sounds a lot like the one suggested in some of the books I have been reading and doing my best to adhere to that... you explained it so very well. Yes it is so very important to make sure you have protien w/your fruits/sugars. It makes a huge difference whith blood sugar spikes and cravings, I totally spaced on adding that in my post.

If I eat any white sugar or white carbs now, I crave it--for days after!! Sometimes I find it`s easier not to have cheat days or cheat meals because any processed stuff or white sugar is blech. I used to load my coffee with white sugar and cream or full fat milk--now I use almond milk + cinnamon and it is delicious!

It's really great to hear that so many other women have PCOS. I was diagnosed when I was 20, now 25. They told me that I was pre diabetic, insulin resistant, and to stick to a low glycemic diet as well. I even went to a nutrition to help me out. Nothing worked. I have been placed on a strict medication regiment of Metaformin, Spirolactone, and Yaz. The biggest thing about my PCOS is the weight, the other is the facial body hair on my chin, neck, and upper lip. This has made me insecure for years, and have even looked into laser treatments. The doctor put me on Spirolactone to decrease the facial hair, I am still shaving daily.

About a year ago I found this awesome site. In the past, I had literally done every diet out there (WW, Low-carb, south beach, even nutrisystem). The best thing that worked for me was this website. I try to stick under a 1200 calorie in-take a day. I am very strict with myself during the week, and my weekends I am off. I began WALKING nightly with my dog. I would commit to at least 4 days a week. The weight starting coming off. In total I had dropped over 30 lbs. Now a year later, I find myself 10-20 lbs heavier. Now, Im trying to get back into my regiment.

Does ANYONE have any advice about medication, diet, hair-growth, and even pregnancy???
I am still young, but would love to start a family before 30 (due to chances being lower after 30) PLEASE HELP! Best wishes ladies!

Keep in mind not everyone with PCOS is insulin resistant. I have PCOS but am not insulin resistant. I have managed to lose over 170 pounds and didnt need to go low carb...I would say I eat moderate carbs...I still eating plenty of healthy grains. I found eating as much non processed foods as possible helps, feel free to friend me and look at my diary

Me too. I'm not insulin resistant but have PCOS. I also just try to be smart about my carbs, keeping them to about 40% of my food intake.