PCOS: Caloric intake lower than 1200 cals

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Replies

  • zaellany
    zaellany Posts: 57 Member
    I have PCOS and am on Metformin and Spironolactone. I am losing on 1600-1800 net calories a day (I exercise a lot, 300-500 cals per day, I usually eat about half back). I limit carbs - I am gluten-sensitive and so don't eat gluten at all, and that makes it a lot easier to cut carbs.

    I would not recommend anyone go on an under-1200 calorie per day diet without medical supervision. Please remember, a lot of the medical studies that get published - ESPECIALLY about PCOS - involve under 50 people in a sample cohort. Extrapolating results for a very small number of people to a larger population is not that easy. It has been shown that weight loss surgery is effective for PCOSers, but then, WLS is effective for almost everyone. I would NOT try to effect WLS/VLCD results on your own, without a doctor supervising. There are structured, supervised programs out there if you want to go that low.

    I will just throw out there that going gluten-free helped both my weight loss and my overall health tremendously. There is a link between PCOS and gluten sensitivity, you can Google to read more. If PCOS is an autoimmune disease, as a lot of people think it is, being in a constant state of inflammation from what you eat (gluten) definitely does not help things. I am not making recommendations, just reporting my experience.
  • vcuchick
    vcuchick Posts: 29 Member
    Hi y'all!! I have PCOS. Diagnosed at 18, now 34. Most of my GYN MDs never told me anything like that... I've been battling weight loss/gain for 20 years. But I recently finished a medical weight loss program at a local hospital and I was under the care of a Bariatrician. (Physician who specializes in weight loss and the effect of weight and I learned LOADS of what PCOS does to the body.) Not only does it make it MUCH more difficult for us to lose weight and keep it off, because of that insuline sensitivity and extra body fat (Which makes it's own estrogene thereby compounding the problems! yikes stripes!)

    We have a double whammy when it comes to weight loss. Originally, she had me on 800 cal diet for 4 weeks to kick start the process, then weaned me up to 1100-1200 max. (of course I was under MD suppervision in the process) (I've still got a ways to go...lost about 38 lbs so far...want to get to 100lbs lost) But a 1200 cal/day diet is not as restrive as you think. There's a great YouTube video on what a 1200 cal/day diet looks like. It's suprizing how much food there is!

    PCOS is almost like having diabetes without having it. :/

    The most useful thing I learned from my new MD is that with PCOS, we are SUPER sensitive to complex carbs and refined sugars. I limit my carbs and sugars (since carbs really are sugars at the basic level.) I treat it almost like an allergy. I have taken most complex carbs and refined sugars out of my diet. This is where the energy comes in. I used to be a 2 cup coffee/day girl. Now I don't even have to drink coffee anymore and I have LOADS of energy. The carbs in your system act almost like a drug...making you sluggish and "gloopy" and you don't even realize it...I took carbs out and I found my whole system has improved. Then when I do eat carbs in large quantities, I feel it. I feel gross & sluggish and wonder why I ever lived that way to begin with! I have changed my diet and almost follow an Atkins-esque type diet. Lean protein, veggies...my carbs come in the form of nuts, and whole grains, and beans (in moderation).

    I would HIGHLY recommend trying it for a month. Takes some getting used to but there are so many great low-cal/low-carb recipe websites out there that you can do it without even missing it! You'll be amazed at how much better you feel. All of my PCOS symptoms have improved in only 12 weeks and I'm off ALL my medications!
  • vcuchick
    vcuchick Posts: 29 Member
    I agree! *bump*
    I have PCOS and am on Metformin and Spironolactone. I am losing on 1600-1800 net calories a day (I exercise a lot, 300-500 cals per day, I usually eat about half back). I limit carbs - I am gluten-sensitive and so don't eat gluten at all, and that makes it a lot easier to cut carbs.

    I would not recommend anyone go on an under-1200 calorie per day diet without medical supervision. Please remember, a lot of the medical studies that get published - ESPECIALLY about PCOS - involve under 50 people in a sample cohort. Extrapolating results for a very small number of people to a larger population is not that easy. It has been shown that weight loss surgery is effective for PCOSers, but then, WLS is effective for almost everyone. I would NOT try to effect WLS/VLCD results on your own, without a doctor supervising. There are structured, supervised programs out there if you want to go that low.

    I will just throw out there that going gluten-free helped both my weight loss and my overall health tremendously. There is a link between PCOS and gluten sensitivity, you can Google to read more. If PCOS is an autoimmune disease, as a lot of people think it is, being in a constant state of inflammation from what you eat (gluten) definitely does not help things. I am not making recommendations, just reporting my experience.
  • Mrsnewlywed
    Mrsnewlywed Posts: 1 Member
    Hi! I have PCOS and try to stay current on related research. There is an interesting study out of the University of Athens in Greece regarding this topic. The study found that women with PCOS and insulin resistance had a much lower BMR (basal metabolic rate, or the amount of calories you burn when at rest, just to keep your internal organs running, heart rate, etc.) than a woman without these conditions. Significantly lower! Which means that a woman with PCOS and insulin resistance who is trying to lose weight, which can feel nearly impossible, needs a calorie deficit that reflects HER BMR- sorry this is so long, but to answer your question, no it would not be unheard of for a doctor to suggest this level of caloric intake. The key is to eat a low carb, low glycemic index diet, and get a lot of exercise. This is what works best for me, and it definitely gives me more energy. I aim for about 1200 kcals/day intake, and burn about 300-500 calories at the gym 5-6 days a week (I don't eat back my calories). Hope this helps! Glad to see people are talking about PCOS, so many women have it and so much more research is needed!
  • 4bettermenow
    4bettermenow Posts: 166 Member
    I have pcos. I only lose on a diet of 1000 to 1200 a day. I am on bcp which has helped me tremendously as well. I workout five days a week for at least 30 min. And I rarely eat back my exercise calories. I keep my sugar low and my carbs low. After five years of trying different things, this is what works for me and is the only way I have started losing weight. I currently weigh 186 down from 203. And I am 5'2".
  • blbst36
    blbst36 Posts: 54 Member
    4bettermenow wrote: »
    I have pcos. I only lose on a diet of 1000 to 1200 a day. I am on bcp which has helped me tremendously as well. I workout five days a week for at least 30 min. And I rarely eat back my exercise calories. I keep my sugar low and my carbs low. After five years of trying different things, this is what works for me and is the only way I have started losing weight. I currently weigh 186 down from 203. And I am 5'2".

    BCP do nothing but mask your symptoms. There are A LOT more treatments out there to help regulate insulin and in turn hormones. Talk to your doctor about more treatment options. If they say you only need BCP - find a new doctor. The years that my doctor ignored my diagnosis and kept me on BCP were the worst of my life. You may find that you do not need to eat so low. I am losing weight and eating a lot more than 1200 calories a day.
  • 4bettermenow
    4bettermenow Posts: 166 Member
    blbst36 wrote: »
    4bettermenow wrote: »
    I have pcos. I only lose on a diet of 1000 to 1200 a day. I am on bcp which has helped me tremendously as well. I workout five days a week for at least 30 min. And I rarely eat back my exercise calories. I keep my sugar low and my carbs low. After five years of trying different things, this is what works for me and is the only way I have started losing weight. I currently weigh 186 down from 203. And I am 5'2".

    BCP do nothing but mask your symptoms. There are A LOT more treatments out there to help regulate insulin and in turn hormones. Talk to your doctor about more treatment options. If they say you only need BCP - find a new doctor. The years that my doctor ignored my diagnosis and kept me on BCP were the worst of my life. You may find that you do not need to eat so low. I am losing weight and eating a lot more than 1200 calories a day.

    I understand what you are saying, but they truly have been lifesaving for me in the last three months. After five years of horrific struggles and trying different things, it is better for to stick with my drs treatment plan and I am losing weight with it. When I get to a better weight range for me, I will look at other options.
  • 4bettermenow
    4bettermenow Posts: 166 Member
    blbst36 wrote: »
    4bettermenow wrote: »
    I have pcos. I only lose on a diet of 1000 to 1200 a day. I am on bcp which has helped me tremendously as well. I workout five days a week for at least 30 min. And I rarely eat back my exercise calories. I keep my sugar low and my carbs low. After five years of trying different things, this is what works for me and is the only way I have started losing weight. I currently weigh 186 down from 203. And I am 5'2".

    BCP do nothing but mask your symptoms. There are A LOT more treatments out there to help regulate insulin and in turn hormones. Talk to your doctor about more treatment options. If they say you only need BCP - find a new doctor. The years that my doctor ignored my diagnosis and kept me on BCP were the worst of my life. You may find that you do not need to eat so low. I am losing weight and eating a lot more than 1200 calories a day.

    And eating low doesn't bother me. I am not starving during the day, I have energy to do my workout and if I find that I am hungry, I will eat a bit more. But for the most part, 1000-1200 works for me.
  • jaimekbee1219
    jaimekbee1219 Posts: 96 Member
    4bettermenow wrote: »
    blbst36 wrote: »
    4bettermenow wrote: »
    I have pcos. I only lose on a diet of 1000 to 1200 a day. I am on bcp which has helped me tremendously as well. I workout five days a week for at least 30 min. And I rarely eat back my exercise calories. I keep my sugar low and my carbs low. After five years of trying different things, this is what works for me and is the only way I have started losing weight. I currently weigh 186 down from 203. And I am 5'2".

    BCP do nothing but mask your symptoms. There are A LOT more treatments out there to help regulate insulin and in turn hormones. Talk to your doctor about more treatment options. If they say you only need BCP - find a new doctor. The years that my doctor ignored my diagnosis and kept me on BCP were the worst of my life. You may find that you do not need to eat so low. I am losing weight and eating a lot more than 1200 calories a day.

    I understand what you are saying, but they truly have been lifesaving for me in the last three months. After five years of horrific struggles and trying different things, it is better for to stick with my drs treatment plan and I am losing weight with it. When I get to a better weight range for me, I will look at other options.

    I feel the same way you do. I know it only masks the symptoms, but it also has reduced the hair growth on my neck, my cramps aren't as bad, and it makes me feel normal. By normal I mean I don't get the hormonal crazies that come with getting my period sporadically. It also kick started my ovulation so it's good to know that when it comes time to try for kids, I may have a chance! In addition to BCP I do a semi-low carb/high fat diet and exercise. So I use bcp in conjunction with diet and exercise.

    Haven't heard of consuming less than 1200 calories though.
  • corinne1977
    corinne1977 Posts: 142 Member
    My doctor put me on BCP because of my PCOS. I haven't started them yet b/c I'm training for a half-marathon that's on Nov. 22nd. My fear is more weight gain and throw my cycle all off. Does one BCP better for PCOS than another? I also have uterine fibroid tumors so I know a hysterectomy is in my future but for now, should the BCP help?
  • 4bettermenow
    4bettermenow Posts: 166 Member
    corinne1977 wrote: »
    My doctor put me on BCP because of my PCOS. I haven't started them yet b/c I'm training for a half-marathon that's on Nov. 22nd. My fear is more weight gain and throw my cycle all off. Does one BCP better for PCOS than another? I also have uterine fibroid tumors so I know a hysterectomy is in my future but for now, should the BCP help?

    Its hard to say. What I have discovered with PCOS research is that no two women are exactly alike in symptoms and how they react to dealing with it. BCP jump started me on losing weight. Meaning, I haven't changed my "diet" in the last year and wasn't losing anything. When I started on bcp, I started losing. They also have regulated my periods, taken away all my cramps, seemingly diminished my acne overnight, dropped my bp that was starting to rise, etc. I went on the lo version of the bcp I was on for years before I had a tubal ligation. It had worked for me before, so my dr decided it was worth trying the same brand. And as I said earlier, once I hit a better weight in which I feel my body can deal with it better and I am healthier overall, then I will go off bcp and see how it goes. But everyone reacts differently to bcp. :neutral_face: For me, it was end of the road and I was willing to try anything.
  • blbst36
    blbst36 Posts: 54 Member
    But you aren't helping the issue. You are actively ignoring it. You are still at risk for any NUMBER of side effects from this syndrome. It doesn't kick start your ovulation. Just because you are getting your period every month doesn't mean that everything is hunky dory. That is what BCP is for.

    PLEASE do your research. Do not take everything your doctor says as fact. There is no reason to take the least effective treatment for this.

    No need to respond to me, this is the last time I am going to respond to this thread because it seriously angers me when people take such a subversive approach to their health. Especially when someone who has been dealing with this for 20 years offers up suggestions to look into.
  • corinne1977
    corinne1977 Posts: 142 Member
    4bettermenow wrote: »
    corinne1977 wrote: »
    My doctor put me on BCP because of my PCOS. I haven't started them yet b/c I'm training for a half-marathon that's on Nov. 22nd. My fear is more weight gain and throw my cycle all off. Does one BCP better for PCOS than another? I also have uterine fibroid tumors so I know a hysterectomy is in my future but for now, should the BCP help?

    Its hard to say. What I have discovered with PCOS research is that no two women are exactly alike in symptoms and how they react to dealing with it. BCP jump started me on losing weight. Meaning, I haven't changed my "diet" in the last year and wasn't losing anything. When I started on bcp, I started losing. They also have regulated my periods, taken away all my cramps, seemingly diminished my acne overnight, dropped my bp that was starting to rise, etc. I went on the lo version of the bcp I was on for years before I had a tubal ligation. It had worked for me before, so my dr decided it was worth trying the same brand. And as I said earlier, once I hit a better weight in which I feel my body can deal with it better and I am healthier overall, then I will go off bcp and see how it goes. But everyone reacts differently to bcp. :neutral_face: For me, it was end of the road and I was willing to try anything.

    Thanks for your response. I guess its just a trial and error situation at this point. I'm just always leary when I need to start a new med. By the way, the new BCP is Lo Loestrin. As long as it helps with the nagging cysts, weight gain is better than being in pain.
  • 4bettermenow
    4bettermenow Posts: 166 Member
    blbst36 wrote: »
    But you aren't helping the issue. You are actively ignoring it. You are still at risk for any NUMBER of side effects from this syndrome. It doesn't kick start your ovulation. Just because you are getting your period every month doesn't mean that everything is hunky dory. That is what BCP is for.

    PLEASE do your research. Do not take everything your doctor says as fact. There is no reason to take the least effective treatment for this.

    No need to respond to me, this is the last time I am going to respond to this thread because it seriously angers me when people take such a subversive approach to their health. Especially when someone who has been dealing with this for 20 years offers up suggestions to look into.

    Please do not assume I have not done research and that I am not making the best possible choices for my health. The number one being I need the weight gone to avoid other health issues. There is no need to become angered if someone handles their health issues different than the way you do. What that means is that every is different and responds to various treatments differently. To believe that your way is the only way is naive, even if you have been dealing with it for 20 yrs.
  • lola_zzz
    lola_zzz Posts: 4 Member
    4bettermenow wrote: »
    I have pcos. I only lose on a diet of 1000 to 1200 a day. I am on bcp which has helped me tremendously as well. I workout five days a week for at least 30 min. And I rarely eat back my exercise calories. I keep my sugar low and my carbs low. After five years of trying different things, this is what works for me and is the only way I have started losing weight. I currently weigh 186 down from 203. And I am 5'2".

    Hi, what is BCP (probably a silly question)? I have PCOS, and the gyno recommended that I go low GI diet to lose weight. My GP also said that if I was not able to I could go Metaformin which I think regulates insulin.

    I agree with your thoughts regarding weight loss strategy having been on a range of diets (low GI, atkins, dukan, etc) over the last two years, and lost no or at best limited weight. I have 1000-1100 calories a day ("clean" eating and low-gi), and exercise 5-6 times a week.
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,274 Member
    BCP - birth control pill
  • Miss_1999
    Miss_1999 Posts: 747 Member
    I realize this is an old thread, but I've seen several ladies posting on this asking questions. I'll be honest, I've never been told to restrict my calories to less than 1200 a day, only to watch carbohydrates. I've most likely lived with PCOS my entire life, but did not get a formal diagnosis and begin treatment until age 24. I've written up a small guide with some Q & A for women who are newly diagnosed or even those living with PCOS but maybe wanting some more information here:

    community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1448249/diagnosed-living-with-pcos-read-me/p1
  • khutchings09
    khutchings09 Posts: 2 Member
    I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 17. I am now 27, the only time I have ever been able to lose weight is when I stay between 800 and 1,100 calories a day. For years I tried to stay on the 1,200 cal a day diet and if I was lucky, I would lose 3 lbs of water and then no more, no matter how much I exercised. I even found out I had a gluten issue and cut all gluten out and still, not so much as a budge. My endocrinologist suggested Atkins, I tried that and it failed.
    Then before my wedding I did a modified version of JJ Virgin's diet and dropped my calories to between 800 and 1,000 a day (alternating so that my body doesn't feel starved) and I was able to knock 20 lbs off. I restarted 2 weeks ago and another 5 lbs down.... this is the lightest I have been since high school!!
    This seems to work. I am not a doctor, but I have tried so long and hard and this is what works. So I will continue, but I really think you need to listen to what your body says and how you feel (I feel great) and take a vitamin or eat a shake with a lot of vitamins and minerals in it to off set the lower caloric intake.
  • rainbowblu
    rainbowblu Posts: 119 Member
    I have PCOS as well,personally I hate meds..I managed to regulate my cycle(which only came ONCE a year) with a high fat, low carb diet. I can go from no period in MONTHS to a period in 2 days when I eat lots of avocado,nuts,salmon,tuna,and red meat...it works every time,my eyebrows also grow back when I eat this way..people think that I'm lucky to have no periods but its not a good idea for the lining to build up inside of me for too long.
  • madhattedmadness
    madhattedmadness Posts: 8 Member
    I have read about this online. I read a normal female requires around 1845 calories a day while someone with PCOS is 1445 a day. So eating 1200 or less calories a day helps with weight loss. That being said if I eat even 1100 calories a day and don't work out then i lose no weight
  • netitheyeti
    netitheyeti Posts: 539 Member
    edited December 2018
    madhattedmadness wrote: »
    I have read about this online. I read a normal female requires around 1845 calories a day while someone with PCOS is 1445 a day. So eating 1200 or less calories a day helps with weight loss. That being said if I eat even 1100 calories a day and don't work out then i lose no weight

    The problem with that is - what's "normal"? I have PCOS, when I'm at my goal weight (which puts me around BMI 21-22) and exercise somewhat regularly I maintain on roughly 1700, maybe 1800kcal a day.
    BUT - if I'm almost completely sedentary, then yeah, I maintain that weight at roughly 1500. But so will most other people who are my weight and height (5'2).

    I'm currently mildly overweight (BMI 26ish?) and I lose weight on 1200ish net kcal just fine, provided I'm careful with my logging... I do think having PCOS makes a slight difference, but it (personally) doesn't feel like a several-hundred-calories-per-day worth - when I compare my calorie/weight logs and the estimates mfp/online calculators give me

    The one thing my doctor told me was to be careful with my carb intake - but I don't do well on low carb diets so I mostly just try to avoid junk with large amounts of added sugar
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    i don't have PCOS but the attached links are from the nutrition team that i work with - many of whom of PhD's and advanced degrees in nutrition, metabolism and exercise physiology

    https://www.eattoperform.com/2016/06/18/pcos-insulin-resistance-side-story/
    https://www.eattoperform.com/2015/08/28/pcos-is-not-a-death-sentence-learning-to-work-with-your-handicaps-by-lori-walsh/
  • LiLee2018
    LiLee2018 Posts: 1,389 Member
    I've never heard that before and that just seems to low to me.
    I do know that a lot of women have a lot of success doing low carb diets to help with their PCOS. It has helped me a great deal.
  • HaleCry
    HaleCry Posts: 387 Member
    I have PCOS. I eat 1200 calories a day as well as 1/2 my exercise calories, and I eat carbs like normal. I lost 60lbs last year doing this, I didn’t do nothing special just because I have PCOS. Every body is different.

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