What is the PCOS diet supposed to help?

Answer 1

PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, a rather popular medical condition in woman. Therefore, the PCOS diet is designed to help those woman with PCOS. Besides PCOS diet, exercise and medication also help to reduce PCOS.

Answer 2

There are certain foods that help in such cases and foods which are to be avoided.

Low GI foods: Glycemic Index (GI) refers to a categorization of foods based on the rate at which they cause blood glucose levels to raise. Processed and junk foods typically tend to be high-GI, while whole foods usually are viewed as being low-GI i.e. the release of glucose into the bloodstream would be slow and steady instead of a sharp spike. Consumption of High GI foods like sugar and refined flour results in high glucose levels and the storage of excess glucose as fat.

Some of the options for high-fiber foods include cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, greens, red leaf lettuce, beans, and lentils, almonds, berries, sweet potatoes, winter squash, pumpkin.

Lean protein sources like tofu, chicken, and fish do not provide fiber but are very filling and a healthy dietary option for women with PCOS.

Foods in a low GI diet also include whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, fruits, starchy vegetables, and other unprocessed, low-carbohydrate foods.

Patients who follow a low-carbohydrate or a low-GI diet could see improved insulin metabolism, lower cholesterol levels, regular periods, and overall better quality of life.

Anti-inflammatory Foods: Inflammation is caused by higher insulin levels, which contribute to weight gain. Anti-inflammatory foods include tomatoes, spinach, almonds and walnuts, olive oil, fruits such as blueberries and strawberries, and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon and sardines. Patients generally lose more weight with a diet targeting mono-unsaturated fats rather than saturated fats. An example of this kind of diet is the anti-inflammatory diet, which encourages people to eat plant-based fats, such as olive and other vegetable oils.

In common,

"studies have found that losing weight helps women with PCOS restore the normal function of ovaries and the production of hormones, regardless of which specific kind of dietary pattern they follow.”

Foods that are to be avoided include refined carbohydrates such as pastries and white bread, fried foods, sugary beverages such as aerated drinks and energy drinks, processed/red meats of any kind, and solid fats, including butter, cream.