For a long time, both professionals in the medical field and regular people have recognized some connections between their health and their diets. Eating too much fried and greasy food can lead to clogged arteries, and failing to consume enough vegetables could cause vitamin deficiencies.
However, in past years and decades, research has also started to show how diet can be connected to other health issues, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, which is commonly shortened to PCOS.
Understanding the causes of PCOS can shed light on how adjusting your diet can play a role in alleviating some symptoms. Keep in mind that one exact cause of PCOS isn't yet known. It is believed that issues such as insulin resistance and hormonal imbalances can cause PCOS. Polycystic ovary syndrome can also be hereditary. While the diet itself is not a direct cause of PCOS, the food that you consume has the ability to either aggravate or alleviate the symptoms. In other words, your diet could lead to insulin resistance.
Insulin Resistance and Diet
Be aware that diet is not the only cause of insulin resistance. You could develop a resistance to insulin for other reasons. A number of people who develop insulin resistance, however, do so because they are overweight. As a result, if you are overweight, you might develop insulin resistance. Insulin resistance could then lead to PCOS. Cutting back on fatty foods and calories, therefore, is one way to potentially avoid getting PCOS in the first place. Even if you already have PCOS, maintaining a healthier diet can help in decreasing the symptoms.
A Healthier Diet
Ultimately, in order to determine the best diet for your needs, you have to speak to your doctor or a nutritionist. People have their own dietary needs. There are some basic practices you can use to lose weight when it comes to diet. Watch for foods with a lot of fat and sugar, such as ice cream, cheeseburgers, pizza, pasta, and fried items. Substitute these foods with lean meats, such as chicken and fish, lots of vegetables, and whole grains. Incorporating more fruit into your diet can be a healthy move, but do watch the sugar content.
To be more specific, you should also avoid processed foods such as hot dogs. Watch out for other fried food too. For example, some people think that all seafood is healthy. Seafood can be great for you, but plenty of restaurants and grocery stores sell fried shrimp, fried calamari, fried flounder, and other similar items. Make sure to ask how the seafood is prepared when dining out. Selecting grilled or broiled seafood is the smarter option. Inquire about the preparation method as well. Sometimes, fish is cooked in a pan with gobs of butter or oil.
Bad Drinks for PCOS
When it comes to managing PCOS through diet, you also have to watch the beverages that you're consuming. Any drink with too much sugar in it could aggravate your symptoms. Therefore, you have to watch out for sodas, alcoholic beverages, and fruit juices. Check the sugar content on each label. Also, while you might love to get a fancy caffeinated beverage from your favorite coffee shop during the workday, these drinks could be filled with sugar. Try switching to a sugar-free option. If cutting back on this treat is really tricky, start by getting a smaller size.
Work to add more vegetables, such as broccoli and spinach, into your diet. If you don't love vegetables, chopping the produce up into small pieces to mix in with eggs is a way to make the food more palatable. Grilled chicken or seafood can make for a delicious lunch or dinner. You can look for leaner cuts of beef in the supermarket once in a while too. If you're craving a decent one, mix together some berries and a small amount of dark chocolate. In addition to feeling better about your PCOS, you may feel more energetic and simply healthier overall once you start incorporating these foods.
Practice Moderation
Only your doctor can officially say whether you need to entirely cut out certain foods from your diet or if you can make some adjustments. For example, you might still be able to indulge in your favorite guilty pleasure snack or meal from time to time. In making cases, people are able to see changes when they make modifications to their diet instead of avoiding certain foods entirely.
Dealing with PCOS can feel stressful and overwhelming. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to help. Increasing the number of healthy foods that you eat and decreasing the amount of sugary, fatty products that you can consume can help you to both looks and feel better.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.