Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Foods to Eat & Avoid

Why is diet important for managing PCOS?

Women who have PCOS are often resistant to insulin and insulin is vital for processing blood sugar and delivering energy to the body. But if your diet has high amounts of refined carbohydrates, it can lead to insulin resistance. This in turn can make it very hard to manage weight loss and hence, one must follow a diet that helps in managing insulin.

Best foods to include in a PCOS diet

Adding high fibre foods to your diet is a must to keep your body healthy as this diet helps in combating insulin resistance by slowing down digestion and reducing sugar effects in the blood.

High-fibre PCOS foods can include:

• Cruciferous vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflowers

• Greens like arugula and red leaf lettuce

• Red and green peppers, lentils, almonds, beans, berries, pumpkin, winter squash, and sweet potatoes

Your diet should also include sources of lean protein, like fish, chicken and tofu. They are extremely nutritious and filling. Doctors may also suggest fatty fish like sardines and salmon as they have a high content of omega-3 fatty acids.

You should also add food items that help in reducing inflammation such as walnuts, almonds, spinach, tomatoes and kale.

Meals cooked in olive oil can do wonders to your health. And also, don’t forget to include fruits like strawberries and blueberries in your PCOS diet.

Foods to avoid for PCOS

Any food rich in refined carbohydrates should be avoided as they not only cause inflammation, but also worsens insulin resistance. Hence, a PCOS diet should not include food items like:

• Sugary drinks and snacks

• Muffins and breads

• Red and processed meats

• Any item made of white flour

You should also avoid pasta which lists durum wheat flour, durum flour or semolina as the first ingredient as it is rich in carbs and low in fibre. You can opt for a healthier alternative, like pasta made of lentil flour or bean.

Remember that sugar is a form of carbohydrate too and you must limit it in your PCOS diet.

• While buying groceries, always read food labels carefully. Sugar comes under numerous names on the labels.

• Be careful of sucrose, dextrose and high fructose corn syrup.

• Also reduce your consumption of bottled beverages like juice and soda as they are high in sugar.

Consult a doctor as they can assist you with a well-planned diet plan, created as per your needs.