Treat PCOS With Diet From a Dietician’s Perspective

The statement that containing food is super medicine is now no longer a theory or a faint idea. The vitamins and minerals that you get from whole fruits and vegetables are important for a multitude of body processes and functions that are involved in gut health, immunity, and metabolism, among others. The bulk of your diet should have ample sources of vitamins and minerals and you can do this by including more portions of fruits and vegetables in each meal. 

And the best part is a PCOS diet does not require exquisite ingredients, it’s all about being mindful about what you eat, choosing wholesome, fresh foods instead of processed food, and limiting sugar. Eating a healthy diet is more effective than exercise alone in achieving a healthy weight. 

Here are some experts tips on how you can treat PCOS with diet:

  1. There is no one-size-fits-all diet when it comes to PCOS, so a diet you found on Google may not really work for you. It is recommended to reduce overall food intake, so long as healthy food choices are made and the food is nutritionally balanced.
  2. Many women with PCOS suffer from insulin resistance. Hence treatment should focus on the improvement of insulin sensitivity, irrespective of the weight of the individual. So including high fiber, low glycemic index diet along with regular physical activity can help reduce unwanted weight gain.
  3. It is advisable that women with PCOS eat regularly to help stabilize their insulin levels. This means that you should eat every 3 to 4 hours, which for most women means having three meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and a snack in-between.
  4. Breakfast should be heavy in terms of quality and not quantity. Should include best quality protein with good fiber, healthy fats, and a small number of good quality carbohydrates i.e. low glycemic index foods.
  5. The evening is a time to include a filler – as simple as an antioxidant drink and a seasonal fruit with nuts.
  6. Include sources of micronutrients such as zinc, selenium, magnesium, Vitamins B12, Vitamin D.
  7. Include iron rich foods such as Halim seeds, dates, black raisins, pomegranate, ABC (apple, beetroot, carrot) juice

Taking care of your body starts with what you eat – and when you adopt a healthy diet as a way of life, it will improve the many areas of your health.