PCOS: 5 Diet Tips To Help You Deal With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common reproductive hormonal disease among women. Because of hormonal imbalance, it's hard to lose weight for many women with PCOS.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition which a woman's level of sex hormone estrogen and progesterone are out of balance, Health Line says. This results to a growth of ovarian cysts and can cause serious health conditions such as infertility, heart problems and appearance.

Many women with PCOS are insulin resistant, forcing the pancreas to produce more insulin than necessary just to function properly. Insulin is an important hormone that regulates the production of androgen, the male sex hormone.

According to Attain Fertility, women with PCOS suffer from the following symptoms: (1) Obesity and trouble losing weight; (2) Excessive hair growth and skin problems (acne); and (3) Infertility and irregular periods.

11 Things You Will Only Know If You Have #PCOS. Can you relate?! How about #6: It Takes Months to Lose 5 Pounds... https://t.co/d5R69zK0wf

— PCOS Nutrition (@PCOSnutrition) March 15, 2016

Often times, unique diets are followed by women diagnosed with (PCOS) since they have a hard time losing weight. Here are five helpful diet tips from Attain Fertility and PCOS Deity Support to help you manage your PCOS.

1. Avoid high glycemic index (GI) food

High GI food such as white rice, potatoes, muffins and cakes increase blood sugar levels quickly. Cut out breads, pasta and cereals and eat foods high in fiber and protein.

While some may be reluctant to eat fruits as it can spike their blood sugar, there are also fruits with lower GIs, such as cherries, plums, grapefruits, apples, pears, dried apricot, grapes, coconut milk, kiwi, oranges and prunes. Opt for the whole fruit instead of fruit juice.

2. Stop deprivation dieting

Do not starve yourself just to lose weight. Attain Fertility emphasized that diet is not starvation, but rather proper nourishment and nutrition. Swap unhealthy food with naturally-grown ones rich in iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium as well as Vitamins K, C, E and B. Make sure to incorporate green leafy vegetables and fruits in your diet. Eat small healthy meals frequently to manage cravings and hunger pangs.

3. Avoid dairy products

Dairy products are known to increase testosterone levels as it contains proteins that limit testosterone processing in the body. So naturally, women turn to soy upon learning this which is will actually do you more harm than good. Soy has been found to delay ovulation.

4. Supplements

Following a good diet is often not good enough for women with PCOS so it is essential to follow it with a good dose of multivitamins especially rich in B vitamins. It is recommended to take Vitamin B complex, chromium, and essential fatty acids.

5. Ask your doctor about Metformin

Sadly, diet is not enough to manage PCOS. You have to pair this with proper exercise and medication. Ask your doctor about metformin to manage your blood sugar levels. It also aids in the weight loss. Check out other tips in the video below: