Diets for PCOD

Weight loss has proved to be beneficial in women suffering from PCOS.some lifestyle modifications like exercise and eating a healthy diet is a very important step of PCOS care.according to many studies, women with PCOS can improve their insulin resistence by moderate activity and diet control.a weight decrese of only 5% of total body weight is associated with decreased insulin levels,increased fertility,reduced iirutism and acne,and lower free testosterone levels.

PCOS is a condition that can affect a woman’s menstrual cycle, fertility, hormones, insulin production, heart, blood vessels, and appearance. Women with PCOS have these characteristics:

• High levels of male hormones, also called androgens
• An irregular or no menstrual cycle
• May or may not have many small cysts in their ovaries. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs.

PCOS is the most common hormonal reproductive problem in women of childbearing age.

The following recommendations can help you plan your diet.

• Try and lose weight if over weight along with PCOS.
• Try to select lower glycemic index foods as they will cause a slower rise in blood sugar. (Glycemic index is an indicator of how rapidly the food turns to sugar in the blood). The lower glycemic carbohydrates tend to have more fiber than the higher glycemic foods. For example, select breads, grains and cereals that are as unprocessed as possible.
• Space the carbohydrates out during the day.  This will cause less of rise in blood sugar and insulin peak as compared to eating all carbohydrates at one meal.
• Avoid those carbohydrates that trigger more hunger or cravings (ie. pasta triggers craving for some people).
• Drink at least 8 cups of non caffeinated fluid as a low carbohydrate intake can cause dehydration.
• For heart health, limit foods high in saturated  and trans fats (ie. fatty red meat, whole milk dairy, butter and stick margarine, chicken skin, fried foods, rich desserts, etc.). Select mainly monounsaturated fats (ie. olive oil, canola oil, nuts) and omega 3 fats (fatty fish such as salmon and bluefish, flaxseed, nuts) as these fats are heart healthy.
• Exercise on a regular basis.
• If on medication for PCOS, then have fruits and vegetables atleast 5 servings a day to increase the immunity of body.