Diet for PCOS: Find Out What Foods to Avoid With PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS is a condition causing delays in menstruation or causing menstruation that lasts for extended durations.

It usually happens during the reproduction period in females.

In PCOS, small cysts filled with fluids develop in the ovaries.

However, the good part is that PCOS is treatable. Dietary change is one of the effective ways to manage PCOS.

Due to this reason, many people frequently ask- What foods to avoid with PCOS, and what foods should you take with PCOS?

Let us proceed with this article and find what food you should avoid and what food you can eat if you have PCOS.

What is PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, is a hormonal problem affecting individuals with ovaries. 

However, there is no exact cause of PCOS.

The four main factors that might develop PCOS are-

• Resistance to insulin
• Changes in the functioning of hormones and metabolism
• High body fat
• Insufficiency of gonadotrophin-releasing hormones, essential hormones for reproduction

Therefore, it is vital to treat this medical condition. Diet is one of the effective ways to treat PCOS.

However, it is also essential to note that dietary changes might not help in managing every cause of PCOS.

Visit a trusted gynecologist for the effective treatment of PCOS.

Diet and PCOS

Before knowing about the foods that are bad during PCOS, it is important to understand PCOS and diet.

According to the researchers, diets play an important role in limiting the effects of PCOS.

Diet can help manage and prevent the complications caused by PCOS, such as Diabetes, Depression, and Endometrial Cancer.

PCOS diet can help manage the factors that may develop this condition. It can help manage-

• Body weight
• Resistance and production of Insulin
• Blood sugar levels
• Oxidative stress, which contributes to inflammation and cancer

Therefore, taking a healthy and balanced diet can help manage your PCOS symptoms better.

Food to Avoid With PCOS

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Although a healthy diet can help with PCOS, certain foods should be avoided if you have PCOS.

Let us look at some common foods to avoid for women with PCOS.

• Processed carbohydrates, like white bread and mass-produced pastries
• Fast foods, such as fried foods
• Drinks with excessive sugar, such as soda
• Solid fats, like lard and margarine
• Red meat, like steaks, pork, and hamburgers
• Foods that have a lot of sugar or salt added to them
• Processed meat

These foods can cause complications such as obesity and cardiovascular conditions that may cause PCOS to develop.

Avoiding these mentioned foods can help manage PCOS effectively.

Foods to Eat in PCOS

Even though you should avoid several foods, some foods can help ease PCOS symptoms.

However, there’s no standard diet for PCOS. The effective diets that may help individuals with PCOS include a DASH diet, an anti-inflammatory diet, and a low Glycemic Index (GI) diet.

Common foods that can be incorporated into the diet to manage PCOS are-

• Foods that are not processed
• Fatty fish, like salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel
• Dark leafy greens like kale and spinach
• Berries, cherries, blueberries, and red grapes
• Lentils, broccoli and cauliflower beans
• Olive oil, avocados, and nuts like pine nuts, walnuts, almonds, and pistachios 
• Chocolate in small amounts 
• Spices like cinnamon and turmeric

What to See a Doctor

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Although PCOS is a common condition, getting treatment from a gynecologist is essential.

PCOS affects 5-10% of women between 15 and 44.

Therefore, whenever you experience the symptoms of PCOS, it is best to rush to your nearby gyno center. 

The common symptoms of PCOS include–

• Acne 
• Increased facial or body hair
• Hair thinning
• Weight gain
• Skin darkening
• Irregularity in periods
• Pregnancy difficulty

Doctors will prescribe effective treatment plans, including medications like Metformin and Clomiphene, to manage the PCOS symptoms.

Key Notes

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder affecting people with ovaries. It may lead to fertility issues.

Among the various treatments of PCOS, a healthy diet is one of the most effective treatments.

Incorporating foods like fatty fish, dark leafy greens, and nuts can help manage PCOS symptoms.

A healthy diet helps in managing and preventing complications like Diabetes, Depression, and Endometrial Cancer caused by PCOS. 

However, there are certain you should avoid to manage PCOS efficiently.

Foods to avoid with PCOS include processed carbohydrates, fast foods, sugary drinks, solid fats, red meat, and processed meat.

Seeking treatment from a gynecologist is essential for managing symptoms like acne, hair thinning, weight gain, skin darkening, irregular periods, and pregnancy difficulties.

A gynecologist can help manage PCOS as well as overall reproductive wellness.

Frequently Asked Questions

• mayoclinic.org
• mayoclinic.org
• healthline.com