PCOS and Carbs

jaynepickle
jaynepickle Posts: 47 Member
edited December 18 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all!

So, I have heard/read that women with PCOS should avoid carbs like the plague. Is this mainly because over consumption of carbs can lead to fast weight gain (like with anyone else) or is it because women with PCOS really shouldn't have carbs?

I always just assumed doctors told women to not eat carbs as just part of the way to help them cut calories. Is there really a scientific reason as to why PCOSers shouldn't have carbs?

Replies

  • clull0919
    clull0919 Posts: 5
    Hi there! So my understanding of the PCOS carb relation is that PCOS is a precursor to diabetes (type 2). Since carbohydrates break down into sugars in the bloodstream it will then raise your blood sugar levels. Cutting down carbs is an easy way to to maintain a more consistent blood sugar reading and not amplify the risk of eventually getting diabetes. Also, with PCOS your metabolism can slow down, and carbs are hard to break down, because they are complex sugars. Hope this helps!!!
  • wonderkitten711
    wonderkitten711 Posts: 109 Member
    From what I understand (having a ton of friends with PCOS), its not that women with PCOS can have no carbs, but they definitely need to reduce them. PCOS usually goes hand in hand with insulin resistance (not always, but very frequently) and that affects how your body metabolizes carbs, and can lead to pretty nasty weight gain, whereas eating more protein and less carbs tends to lead to weight loss.
  • jaynepickle
    jaynepickle Posts: 47 Member
    Thanks ladies!

    I have heard about the link to diabetes and that metformin is used to treat it along with PCOS. I was just hoping that it was more of a "weight loss tip" stand on low carb eating rather than actual "you shouldn't eat carbs because they are not good for someone with PCOS". The main reason I ask is because I am super active (I run 5-6 days a week, cross train 2-3 days a week) have been tracking what I eat on here since January and I have only lost 7 lbs (and that's on a good day, others I'm two lbs under my start weight). I know that weight can fluctuate from day to day, but my husband started this with me and has already lost 12 lbs eating more than I do and exercising less. I'm getting really frustrated not seeing results (especially when compared to him). If it means I have to cut out carbs to see results, I guess that's what I'll have to do. LAME.
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