Can Diet Really Help Your PCOS? What to Eat and What to Avoid

It might seem like diet wouldn’t have any influence on a hormone imbalance, but this is definitely not the case with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which affects 11-13% of women worldwide.

The link between diet and PCOS can be a strong one, which is good news because it means that you can eat your way to better health.

To explore this further, we turn to the team of board-certified gynecology experts at North Atlanta OB/GYN. In the following, we look at why PCOS and diet can be so closely linked, as well as some dietary dos and don’ts that improve your health moving forward.

PCOS and insulin resistance

PCOS is a condition where androgen hormones, which are associated with males and their characteristics, have more influence. Under ideal circumstances, women have ample estrogen and progesterone hormones, as well as a few androgen hormones, such as testosterone. With PCOS, the balance tips toward the androgens, which can influence your health in many ways and lead to:

• Irregular menstruation
• More facial and body hair
• Acne
• Weight gain
• Infertility

So, where does diet fit into these reproductive issues? Well, between 50 and 75% of women with PCOS also have insulin resistance. This insulin resistance can lead to higher and unhealthy glucose levels in your bloodstream and set the stage for diabetes.

This crossover between PCOS and insulin resistance is hardly a coincidence, and managing the resistance through your diet can not only help you to avoid a diabetes diagnosis, but it can also improve your PCOS symptoms.

The PCOS diet to combat insulin resistance

To better regulate your insulin resistance, it’s important to lose excess weight and steer your diet toward healthier foods that don’t cause inflammation and high glucose levels.

So, at the top of our dietary do-not-touch list are junk and processed foods that contain sugar. For example, baked goods are enemy number one for insulin resistance. As are sugary sodas.

As well, fried foods and foods loaded with saturated or trans fats should also come off your menu as they don’t support your health on any level.

Instead, work toward transitioning your diet over to a Mediterranean diet that focuses on:

• Whole grains, such as whole wheat, brown rice, and quinoa
• Nuts, including almonds, cashews, and walnuts
• Fruits and vegetables, especially raw versions
• Lean proteins, such as chicken
• Fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna
• Healthy fats, such as olive oil

A great way to look at this is to avoid overly processed and refined foods and stick to a more natural diet. Most foods are healthier when they’re closest to their original forms.

For a more detailed PCOS dietary plan tailored to your lifestyle, health, and goals, we invite you to sit down with our team members. Contact us by phone or online today at one of our offices in Atlanta, Alpharetta, or Marietta, Georgia.