There are a number of ways to approach this.

Pretty much most plans that focus on whole foods, responsibly sourced, and well prepared and focused on nutrients helps.

Even when I was fully on a keto plan, I could tolerate more in the way or organic and non-GMO grains/starches. We did a home delivery food service as a trial, and it was better quality grains and starches. I ate more carbs in a meal than I did in an entire normal day otherwise. I was not kicked out of keto...

However, I've since discovered that my PCOS and my lack of gallbladder don't like medical keto, but nutritional keto (up to about 60 carbs a day was what I did okay on) or medical low carb 75-125 grams of carbs a day, generally still avoiding grains (recommended not below 75 grams for PCOS)...can be done okay...

I think that any plan with whole foods, preferably organics, grass-fed, and non-GMO foods wherever possible, while limited grains and sugars in general, still in the 200 grams of carbs range is probably reasonable.

I would say that something that might be appealing is "Trim Healthy Mama" which has some low carbs, but some lower fats, in alternating patterns.

Paleo, which is more natural, but limits more by food types than macros.

Whole30, which is a more basic plan food wise, but doesn't limit too much beyond quality...

Or really, any food plan where you're eating whole foods, in a general balance, while keeping calories in a safe range.

Getting a resting metabolic rate to know how many calories you're actually burning will help know where to set your caloric restriction will also help, since PCOS sufferers are often metabolically challenged...

Another thing to consider is that "heavy lifting" is one of the things that is said to help fight the hormonal effects of PCOS. Incorporating heavier lifting into your gym time, rather than cardio, is more likely to help.


Once thing I would ask is that during the month you were doing low carb, did you supplement the sodium to replace that naturally displaced by lower carbs? This is generally 3000-5000 mg of replaced sodium DAILY. This can cause many of the issues you describe. Adding in magnesium, and in some cases potassium make all the difference. Dehydration risks here are huge.

Additionally, many people don't get enough protein, or avoid veggies out of fear (fiber reduces carb counts on veggies), or get WAY too much fat up front. I'd recommend you have a knowledgeable person evaluate what could or should be changed if you were to attempt it again (amino acids/neurotransmitters help those with mood side effects and such, too...since some folks do get low mood due to serotonin issues).

Overall, your calories may be too low. Most folks have an upper and lower calorie threshold where they lose well. Too low, and losses slow. For me, losing 0.5 pounds per week, 2 pounds/1kg per month was a miracle some times.

Slow and steady is still progress.

I'm sorry if this is fragmented, I got interrupted several times. I'll post this now and see about making more sense in 24 hours or so.