Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFruit Is AllowedGluten Is OKDon’t Avoid DairyIndulge a Sweet ToothFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Fruit Is Allowed
Gluten Is OK
Don’t Avoid Dairy
Indulge a Sweet Tooth
Frequently Asked Questions
Women withpolycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) are often instructed to eat certain foods to keep their weight down and their hormone levels in check. The truth is, there are no food groups that are entirely off-limits for most women with PCOS. It’s just a matter of making the healthiest choices and moderating your intake.
This article helps clear up some of the misconceptions about PCOS and food, and offers guidance about healthy eating for PCOS.
Verywell / Zorica Lakonic
Carbohydratesin general get a bad rap, but most fruits (which are carbs) don’t deserve it.
Fruits provide important vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber that offer numerous benefits to women with PCOS.
These benefits include:
A study published in theHormone and Metabolic Research Journalshowed that women with PCOS who ate a diet rich in fruits and vegetables lost moreabdominal fat, had significant improvements in their responsiveness to insulin (the hormone that helps regulate blood sugar), and had a reduction in inflammatory markers.
Choose fruits with the skin on them (such asapples,blueberries, andstrawberries). These tend to have a lowerglycemic index(GI) than fruits eaten without the skin, such as pineapple and watermelon. The lower the GI of fruit, the less it will raise blood sugar levels. That being said, you are still better off eating any fruit than a dessert such as a pastry or other refined carbohydrates.
Fruit consumption should be spread out evenly throughout the day. Pair fruit with a protein source (for example, an apple with peanut butter) to help stabilize glucose and insulin levels.
On the other hand, you need to avoid fruit juice because it will quickly spike blood sugar levels.
PCOS Diet: What to Eat to Manage Symptoms
You Don’t Have to Go Gluten-Free
Gluten is a protein found in cereal grains like wheat, rye, and barley. While most women with PCOS can eat gluten without problem, a small percentage may havegluten sensitivityorceliac disease. These are immune-related disorders in which the body responds abnormally to gluten, causing digestive symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, and nausea.
For these women, removing gluten from the diet will reduce digestive symptoms and help them feel better.However, cutting gluten from your diet is not necessary if you don’t have gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
Focus on eating sensible portions of gluten-containing foods, such as whole-grain bread, along with protein-rich foods that help normalize blood sugar and aid with weight management.
For weight management and to prevent high blood sugars, focus on eating whole rather than refined grains.
Dairy Is Not Off-Limits
Milk is a rich source ofcalcium,vitamin D, and protein. It is also considered a carbohydrate due to its high lactose content.
An article in theJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dieteticsshowed a link betweendairy consumption and acne. It also found that milk, nonfat in particular, can contribute to increasedandrogenand insulin levels.
Acne can be a problem for people with PCOS, and it is believed to be related to high androgen levels. For these reasons, it may be advisable for some women with PCOS to limit their intake of dairy products,.
Consider consuming just a few servings per week, unless you have a milk allergy or arelactose intolerant, in which case you may need to avoid it altogether.
Dairy offers bone-strengthening benefits, so if you plan to eliminate dairy from your diet, make sure to eat other foods that offer bone-strengthening benefits.
You Can Indulge Your Sweet Tooth
While desserts and other sugary foods aren’t great for PCOS and should be limited, they can be part of a healthy PCOS diet if enjoyed in moderation.
A square or two of dark chocolate (70% cocoa or more) can satisfy a sugar craving. It also contains compounds called antioxidants that help fightfree radicals(a type of unstable molecule) that damage cells and tissues.
Sometimes being too restrictive with sweets can backfire and lead to episodes ofbinge eating. So go ahead and indulge your sweet tooth from time to time, but focus on whole foods with sensible portions as the main component of your diet.
Summary
If you have been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), you will be advised to adjust your diet to better control your insulin and hormone levels. Dietary strategies may also help manage some of the symptoms of this common hormonal disorder.
This includes eating fruits like apples and blueberries that have a low glycemic index. You don’t necessarily need to avoid dairy and gluten; simply limit your intake and choose healthy options (such as low-fat milk and whole-grain bread). An occasional sweet is OK to curb a sugar craving.
Frequently Asked QuestionsPCOS is treated in various ways, including lifestyle changes, medications to help stimulate ovulation, and metformin to help with insulin resistance. Birth control pills may be used to improve acne and regulate periods for those who do not wish to become pregnant.There are some specific dietary changes you can make to help with PCOS symptoms and associated conditions like insulin resistance, inflammation, and obesity.ThePCOS dietfocuses on high-fiber whole foods, lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats while avoiding refined sugars, red meat, full-fat dairy, and processed foods.
PCOS is treated in various ways, including lifestyle changes, medications to help stimulate ovulation, and metformin to help with insulin resistance. Birth control pills may be used to improve acne and regulate periods for those who do not wish to become pregnant.
There are some specific dietary changes you can make to help with PCOS symptoms and associated conditions like insulin resistance, inflammation, and obesity.ThePCOS dietfocuses on high-fiber whole foods, lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats while avoiding refined sugars, red meat, full-fat dairy, and processed foods.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Boeing H, Bechthold A, Bub A, et al.Critical review: vegetables and fruit in the prevention of chronic diseases.Eur J Nutr. 2012;51(6):637‐663. doi:10.1007/s00394-012-0380-yKiranmayee D, Kavya K, Himabindu Y, et al.Correlations between anthropometry and lipid profile in women with PCOS.J Hum Reprod Sci.2017 Jul-Sep;10(3):167–72. doi:10.4103/jhrs.JHRS_108_16Wu CH, Chiu LT, Chang YJ, et al.Hypertension risk in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome: s nationwide population-based cohort study.Front Med (Lausanne).2020 Sep 23;7:574651. doi:10.3389/fmed.2020.574651Moghetti P.Insulin resistance and polycystic ovary syndrome.Curr Pharm Des. 2016;22(36):5526-34. doi:10.2174/1381612822666160720155855Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.Can PCOS lead to cancer?Asemi Z, Esmaillzadeh A.DASH diet, insulin resistance, and serum hs-CRP in polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled clinical trial.Horm Metab Res. 2015;47(3):232-8. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1376990NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Definition and facts for celiac disease.Burris J, Rietkerk W, Woolf K.Acne: the role of medical nutrition therapy.J Acad Nutr Diet. 2013 Mar;113(3):416-30. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2012.11.016Harvard Health Publishing.Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Riley JK, Jungheim ES.Is there a role for diet in ameliorating the reproductive sequelae associated with chronic low-grade inflammation in polycystic ovary syndrome and obesity?Fertility and Sterility. 2016;106(3):520-527. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.07.1069Additional ReadingJensterle Sever M, Kocjan T, Pfeifer M, Kravos NA, Janez A.Short-term combined treatment with liraglutide and metformin leads to significant weight loss in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome and previous poor response to metformin.Eur J Endocrinol. 2014 Feb 7;170(3):451-9.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Boeing H, Bechthold A, Bub A, et al.Critical review: vegetables and fruit in the prevention of chronic diseases.Eur J Nutr. 2012;51(6):637‐663. doi:10.1007/s00394-012-0380-yKiranmayee D, Kavya K, Himabindu Y, et al.Correlations between anthropometry and lipid profile in women with PCOS.J Hum Reprod Sci.2017 Jul-Sep;10(3):167–72. doi:10.4103/jhrs.JHRS_108_16Wu CH, Chiu LT, Chang YJ, et al.Hypertension risk in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome: s nationwide population-based cohort study.Front Med (Lausanne).2020 Sep 23;7:574651. doi:10.3389/fmed.2020.574651Moghetti P.Insulin resistance and polycystic ovary syndrome.Curr Pharm Des. 2016;22(36):5526-34. doi:10.2174/1381612822666160720155855Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.Can PCOS lead to cancer?Asemi Z, Esmaillzadeh A.DASH diet, insulin resistance, and serum hs-CRP in polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled clinical trial.Horm Metab Res. 2015;47(3):232-8. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1376990NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Definition and facts for celiac disease.Burris J, Rietkerk W, Woolf K.Acne: the role of medical nutrition therapy.J Acad Nutr Diet. 2013 Mar;113(3):416-30. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2012.11.016Harvard Health Publishing.Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Riley JK, Jungheim ES.Is there a role for diet in ameliorating the reproductive sequelae associated with chronic low-grade inflammation in polycystic ovary syndrome and obesity?Fertility and Sterility. 2016;106(3):520-527. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.07.1069Additional ReadingJensterle Sever M, Kocjan T, Pfeifer M, Kravos NA, Janez A.Short-term combined treatment with liraglutide and metformin leads to significant weight loss in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome and previous poor response to metformin.Eur J Endocrinol. 2014 Feb 7;170(3):451-9.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Boeing H, Bechthold A, Bub A, et al.Critical review: vegetables and fruit in the prevention of chronic diseases.Eur J Nutr. 2012;51(6):637‐663. doi:10.1007/s00394-012-0380-yKiranmayee D, Kavya K, Himabindu Y, et al.Correlations between anthropometry and lipid profile in women with PCOS.J Hum Reprod Sci.2017 Jul-Sep;10(3):167–72. doi:10.4103/jhrs.JHRS_108_16Wu CH, Chiu LT, Chang YJ, et al.Hypertension risk in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome: s nationwide population-based cohort study.Front Med (Lausanne).2020 Sep 23;7:574651. doi:10.3389/fmed.2020.574651Moghetti P.Insulin resistance and polycystic ovary syndrome.Curr Pharm Des. 2016;22(36):5526-34. doi:10.2174/1381612822666160720155855Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.Can PCOS lead to cancer?Asemi Z, Esmaillzadeh A.DASH diet, insulin resistance, and serum hs-CRP in polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled clinical trial.Horm Metab Res. 2015;47(3):232-8. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1376990NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Definition and facts for celiac disease.Burris J, Rietkerk W, Woolf K.Acne: the role of medical nutrition therapy.J Acad Nutr Diet. 2013 Mar;113(3):416-30. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2012.11.016Harvard Health Publishing.Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Riley JK, Jungheim ES.Is there a role for diet in ameliorating the reproductive sequelae associated with chronic low-grade inflammation in polycystic ovary syndrome and obesity?Fertility and Sterility. 2016;106(3):520-527. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.07.1069
Boeing H, Bechthold A, Bub A, et al.Critical review: vegetables and fruit in the prevention of chronic diseases.Eur J Nutr. 2012;51(6):637‐663. doi:10.1007/s00394-012-0380-y
Kiranmayee D, Kavya K, Himabindu Y, et al.Correlations between anthropometry and lipid profile in women with PCOS.J Hum Reprod Sci.2017 Jul-Sep;10(3):167–72. doi:10.4103/jhrs.JHRS_108_16
Wu CH, Chiu LT, Chang YJ, et al.Hypertension risk in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome: s nationwide population-based cohort study.Front Med (Lausanne).2020 Sep 23;7:574651. doi:10.3389/fmed.2020.574651
Moghetti P.Insulin resistance and polycystic ovary syndrome.Curr Pharm Des. 2016;22(36):5526-34. doi:10.2174/1381612822666160720155855
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.Can PCOS lead to cancer?
Asemi Z, Esmaillzadeh A.DASH diet, insulin resistance, and serum hs-CRP in polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled clinical trial.Horm Metab Res. 2015;47(3):232-8. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1376990
NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Definition and facts for celiac disease.
Burris J, Rietkerk W, Woolf K.Acne: the role of medical nutrition therapy.J Acad Nutr Diet. 2013 Mar;113(3):416-30. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2012.11.016
Harvard Health Publishing.Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Riley JK, Jungheim ES.Is there a role for diet in ameliorating the reproductive sequelae associated with chronic low-grade inflammation in polycystic ovary syndrome and obesity?Fertility and Sterility. 2016;106(3):520-527. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.07.1069
Jensterle Sever M, Kocjan T, Pfeifer M, Kravos NA, Janez A.Short-term combined treatment with liraglutide and metformin leads to significant weight loss in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome and previous poor response to metformin.Eur J Endocrinol. 2014 Feb 7;170(3):451-9.
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