have you heard of a PCOS diet??

BabyDreams711 · November 2011

I was put on metformin before I officially knew I had PCOS. She just wrote me the rx and that was it, no instructions. Now I am seeing people saying they have special diets and things they should not eat. I tried looking online but there is so much to get through and most want you to join to get their special diet. Can any of you tell me if you were told to eat or not eat things, if so what? I just want to do everything possible so when the stars align i'm good to go in all aspects!

TIA

dragontears507 · November 2011

I was told to stay away from processed sugar and fast carbs as much as possible. I'm now only eating whole grain and trying to stay away from cookies as much as I can resist. My RE said that the sugars can affect your hormones so it's best to stay away. Good luck!

RileyGrace · November 2011

Any low carb diet is good for pcos. When you're on Met, most people have some trigger foods that make them sick, so you need to factor that in as well. You can try Zone, South Diet, Glycemic Index, etc. Whatever works for you.

Sparkpeople.com is a great free diet website. You can either follow their diet plan or just track your own. I use it to track my calories, it's super easy and free. You can get low carb ideas from that site as well. And it's a partner of BabyFit so you can also use it once you are pg.

limpetfan · November 2011

As PP already said, any diet that involves low glycemic index carbs (ie, whole grains, instead of refined) and more protein/good fats is good for PCOS/Metformin. I haven't been on it that long myself, but I have already noticed that white breads/rice/pasta really mess me up on this drug. The nutritionist at my RE's office told me The Fertility Diet book is a good one to use -- but I'll be honest, I didn't bother with it yet!

limpetfan · November 2011

JAnna123:
I'm curious about this also- I already eat whole grains but I do love sweets. I'm curious as to whether this diet is beneficial specifically for Metformin or if it helps only girls with only certain PCOS symptoms? I understand it's important to be healthy in general but does anyone know what about this diet helps PCOS? Does it help hormones, is it just for weight control, sugars? Can anything be done about the cysts? I guess I don't get what is driving PCOS and what should be targeted. Sorry.... This was all just thinking outloud!

**this is just my understanding, I'm soooo not an expert*** but...

PCOS, as it's currently understood, is a metabolic disease, not a reproductive disease. In other words, reproductive issues are an unfortunate side effect of a larger metabolic issue at work -- and it's mostly driven by insulin. So, if you lower the amount of insulin your body is producing (by eating fewer carbs, or taking Metformin, for example), you help to correct the driving force behind the metabolic problem, which in turn helps correct the reproductive problem.

twotexans · November 2011

When my RE put me on Metformin, she told me to go get a copy of "The South Beach Diet." She said to focus on the foods in phases 2 and 3. She said that by eating, according to the diet, it lessens the GI side effects of the Met. I will say that on the days I follow the diet, I do feel better.

jerseygirl612 · November 2011

I have to admit, when first DX with it, I was not eating any white carbs or sweets, but its just soooo hard!!!

I have given up white bread for lunches, opting for rye or whole grain. I will only eat bananas or yogurt for breakfast.

But, if I want mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta with dinner 2-3x a week, I do it. How can you not? I also limit my sweets to maybe 1 cookie every other day or something like that.

stellelinds25 · November 2011

I'm currently reading the Insulin Resistance Diet, which was recommended by my RE for insulin resistant PCOS. It's basically limiting your carbs to whole grains, but also balancing your carbs with your proteins. The book is really informative and has helped me understand why I feel a certain way after I eat certain foods. I haven't started the diet yet (newly diagnosed, starting Met next week), but from what I've read it's great.

BabyDreams711 · November 2011

Thanks for the info! I have been looking up all sorts of stuff with your suggestions.

I'm really frustrated my OB, who put me on Metformin, and my current RE NEVER went over any of this with me. I specifically asked my OB about drinking Coke, it's my weakness, and certain diets and she said no I would be fine. I feel like I lost a lot of weight at the start, but now I gained some back on BCP and can't do anything to lose an oz! I like whole grains and veggies and eat pretty healthy to begin with, BUT there are clearly some things I would have changed to better my chances of losing weight, getting PCOS under control and getting this show on the road!

Sorry, that rant came out of no where, but I feel so much better!

cupcake0325 · November 2011

limpetfan:

JAnna123:
I'm curious about this also- I already eat whole grains but I do love sweets. I'm curious as to whether this diet is beneficial specifically for Metformin or if it helps only girls with only certain PCOS symptoms? I understand it's important to be healthy in general but does anyone know what about this diet helps PCOS? Does it help hormones, is it just for weight control, sugars? Can anything be done about the cysts? I guess I don't get what is driving PCOS and what should be targeted. Sorry.... This was all just thinking outloud!

**this is just my understanding, I'm soooo not an expert*** but...

PCOS, as it's currently understood, is a metabolic disease, not a reproductive disease. In other words, reproductive issues are an unfortunate side effect of a larger metabolic issue at work -- and it's mostly driven by insulin. So, if you lower the amount of insulin your body is producing (by eating fewer carbs, or taking Metformin, for example), you help to correct the driving force behind the metabolic problem, which in turn helps correct the reproductive problem.

This!!! What you said is my understanding also!!!

LyssRob · November 2011

I have never really heard of this either...I thought the diet was just bc people with PCOS have a predisposition to being overweight???

I am on Met and my doc never said anything about a special diet...I do feel sick constantly though so it is something to consider. I know my insulin levels are okay, it was my hormone levels (and lack of period) that made them diagnose me...

hmm...

lovin life23 · November 2011

limpetfan:

JAnna123:
I'm curious about this also- I already eat whole grains but I do love sweets. I'm curious as to whether this diet is beneficial specifically for Metformin or if it helps only girls with only certain PCOS symptoms? I understand it's important to be healthy in general but does anyone know what about this diet helps PCOS? Does it help hormones, is it just for weight control, sugars? Can anything be done about the cysts? I guess I don't get what is driving PCOS and what should be targeted. Sorry.... This was all just thinking outloud!

**this is just my understanding, I'm soooo not an expert*** but...

PCOS, as it's currently understood, is a metabolic disease, not a reproductive disease. In other words, reproductive issues are an unfortunate side effect of a larger metabolic issue at work -- and it's mostly driven by insulin. So, if you lower the amount of insulin your body is producing (by eating fewer carbs, or taking Metformin, for example), you help to correct the driving force behind the metabolic problem, which in turn helps correct the reproductive problem.

PCOS (from what I understand, i'm no expert either) is an endocrine disorder and a severe hormonal imbalance with IR and infertility and cysts being the sub conditions. Not all PCOSers have to worry about insulin resistance. I for example am part of the "thin/lean" PCOSers. I have always been lean, of normal weight and have typical PCOS symptoms, however I am not overweight and am not IR. Am I more predisposed to IR and diabetes b/c of PCOS hormone issues? Yes. But I am not IR. Therefore, losing weight will not help because it is not an option (which can drastically help some overweight PCOSers) and metformin may or may not even work for me since I am not IR.

I do, however, still follow a low glycemic index diet just to be safe and healthy AND too much sugar gives me migraines anyway. I dont have to, dr said it wasnt necessary for me since I am not IR but...I do it anyway..

For you OP since you are on met I would get on a low glycemic index diet if you are overweight or insulin resistant..??...I have heard this helps IR PCOSers...and I also hear alcohol is a no-no with metformin....best wishes!!!

pugznploons · November 2011

I know there is a whole PCOS diet section on the soul cysters website, you might check that out!

kgp_061910 · November 2011

My doc recently told my sister, who also has PCOS, that since Metformin is made for regulating insulin, any sugar you eat, whether you are thin or not, turns directly in to fat. Instead of sugar being used for multiple things, your body turns it into fat, which explains the sick feeling you may get when you eat sugar. She suggested to try to stay away from sugar as much as possible, and increase your protein intake. Eat an egg with your breakfast or peanut butter on your toast. Carbs, as mentioned by pp's, is also something to watch your intake on. Eat your sandwich with only one piece of bread instead of two. Overall, eat healthy and decrease portions. I don't really consider it a diet, but rather a lifestyle change because pcos is forever.

I am also one of the lean pcoser's, but when I eat unhealthy, I feel sick and sluggish. I love sweets, but it's not worth feeling sick.

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