Stupid PCOS!

Im gonna have to go lower carb for my PCOS. I really need meal options that are family friendly. Ive got a husband and 2 children that have to eat to.

PLEASE HELP!


Decided to go lower carb after not losing a pound in a year! NOTHING IN A YEAR! Ive been doing what im suppose to be and not one pound!:grumble:

FIBER, carbs, and protein... not fat carbs and protein. the protein included should be lean (almond butter, almonds, salmon, skinless chicken, beans, white fish, reduced fat cheese, reduced fat no sugar added yogurt, etc)

if you google low glycemic recipes you can find lots of websites with different recipes. It helps to learn which foods are high and low glycemic so you can learn how to create your own recipes and meals based on what you have/like. http://www.glycemicgourmet.com/ is a good place to start. Also remember all of your calories still count so do not eat more calories because you are focusing on eating low glycemic foods!

This disease is difficult to deal with because doctors still do not know all that much about it. More and more research is being published and the low glycemic diet is also a relatively new method. I promise it will become less frustrating the more you learn about it! - especially if you experience weight loss success!!

There is new research being developed that following a low glycemic diet, combined with exercise, can virtually cure your body of PCOS and improve insulin sensitivity greatly. Try to use that for motivation! :flowerforyou:

FIBER, carbs, and protein... not fat carbs and protein. the protein included should be lean (almond butter, almonds, salmon, skinless chicken, beans, white fish, reduced fat cheese, reduced fat no sugar added yogurt, etc)

if you google low glycemic recipes you can find lots of websites with different recipes. It helps to learn which foods are high and low glycemic so you can learn how to create your own recipes and meals based on what you have/like. http://www.glycemicgourmet.com/ is a good place to start. Also remember all of your calories still count so do not eat more calories because you are focusing on eating low glycemic foods!

This disease is difficult to deal with because doctors still do not know all that much about it. More and more research is being published and the low glycemic diet is also a relatively new method. I promise it will become less frustrating the more you learn about it! - especially if you experience weight loss success!!

There is new research being developed that following a low glycemic diet, combined with exercise, can virtually cure your body of PCOS and improve insulin sensitivity greatly. Try to use that for motivation! :flowerforyou:

Actually, that is quite wrong..........Low fat and reduced fat is not going to help get the weight off for someone that has PCOS............

Higher fat, moderate protein and low carbs are most beneficial to someone with PCOS. I have been to at least 12 different doctors and endocrinologists and have been told that Atkins is the best to get the weight off............

I, myself, follow my doctor and have lost 42 pounds since December 29, 2008. If I exercised more regularly, I would have lost even more...............which is my own fault.

I have more energy, I feel good, I am starting to ovulate, etc.............

Besides what my Dr's have told me, I do a lot of reading and research since I am now going to see a naturopathic Dr and a natural pharmacist and I am treating my PCOS and diabetes with natural vitamins and other supplements.....................

Best to buy all natural meats (without hormones, anti-biotics, etc), organic dairy, free range chicken and eggs.............fruits and veggies with little or no skin should be bought organically as much as possible too. The chemicals, preservatives, pesticides, etc........also contribute to the problems of PCOS.

In terms of Low carb... Atkins didn't work for me. Well, it did for a short period of time and then, I just couldn't do it anymore and the weight came back. But, if atkins works for you, go for it!

When I started all of this (exercising almost a year ago and diet last March) I had multiple issues: PCOS, type 2 diabetes, borderline high blood pressure, borderline high cholesterol, and of course, obesity. When I started exercising, the high blood pressure improved. When I started the diet, my blood sugar and cholesterol improved (though still high triglycerides). While still obese, I feel a ton better and am looking forward to losing another 40 pounds and getting to the "overweight" category.

What I find that works for me is LOWER carb and moderate fats. If I eat bread, tortillas, or pasta, I pick the whole grain brands. I can't tell you the last time I ate a potato or corn. I will eat brown rice (it is a whole grain). I also avoid peas. If I eat a fat, as much as possible, I try to have it be the fat that is naturally in a food (nuts, avocados, lean meat, etc.) If I add an oil to something, I try to make it olive oil. And, I stay within my calorie amounts recommended by MFP. Oh yeah, whenever possible, I avoid processed sugar. But, I do eat fruit, including bananas. My fasting/ pre-meal blood sugar is usually in the 80's, 2 hours after eating, 120 - 140.

I have found that exercise is critical to maintaining my health. It keeps everything lower... blood sugar, BP, and cholesterol. Frequently, it is difficult to get motivated to go to the gym, but I am always glad when I do go.

For those of you new to PCOS, do your homework on it. Be willing to try different things to see what works for you. And, be aware that PCOS and type 2 diabetes is closely linked, so start reducing your sugar now, before diabetes and all the associated medical problems hit. My step-children have no problems eating the whole grain foods. We just explained that it is healthier for them. When it is taco night for dinner, I eat a taco salad and I might have one small whole grain tortilla, and they can have taco shells.

"The way you are eating is basically Atkins all 4 phases rolled up into 1"

Maybe, I don't think I ever got to "maintenance" because I still wanted to lose weight. What I remember from Atkins that didn't work for me was measuring/counting carb grams and staying below a given number. It was too low for me to maintain. And, I'm not doing that now. At that time, I was also avoiding all breads, rice, grains, and fruit. So the only carbs I was getting was from veggies. I was also eating a higher amount of fat. And a higer proportion of that was the bad fats. I do agree that the description of what you and I eat are fairly similar, no matter what we call it.

I know what I am doing can be considered low glycemic index. It could also be considered close to South Beach because it minimizes processed foods. However, I don't follow those specific plans.

My main focus is on being at or below my calorie budget and getting in the exercise. Because of the diabetes and high cholesterol, I am on lower carbs and no processed sugar.

But, overall, I think my main point was just to do whatever it is that both works for you in terms of weightloss, overall health, and long term staying power. There is a definite connection between PCOS, insilun resistance, obesity, and diabetes. So, figuring out what works for "us" is really important for our long term health. I think it is good that the people on these boards are taking control of their lives. No one else will take as good care of us than us.

And for me, I didn't just immediately start doing all the stuff I said I do now. I mean, when I first started dieting, my goal was to stay below 1800 calories and I was mostly eating lean cuisine, weight watcher, healthy choice, etc. However, I needed to make adjustments and lower my carb intake because of my triglycerides. Then when I found this site, I learned my calorie count could be reduced. But, I don't think I would have made it past the first week if I had tried to start much lower than I did. I had to work my way down.