Posts: 437
11/20/12 8:37 A

My doctor didn't test me for insulin resistance - I'd gone in because I'm trying to get pregnant, so she put me on Clomiphene and said "try to lose 5-7% of your body weight to help the Clomiphene work better" and sent me on my way. I'm going to try adjusting my nutrition plan to 45% carbs and make sure they're carbs mostly from fruits and veggies (and whole grains) to start with, and go from there. Thanks for your help!!

current weight: 237.4

237.4 224.3 211.2 198.1

185

SparkPoints: (45,200)
Fitness Minutes: (26,321)
Posts: 1,001
11/20/12 1:50 A

You are right. There is a lot of conflicting information about nutrition for women with PCOS. The biggest piece of advice that I can offer is to be very skeptical about "diets" that seem extreme, because even with PCOS extreme is not good.

First things first, were you tested for insulin resistance or put on any medicine for your PCOS? Many women are insulin resistant and are put on metformin. When you are on metformin, it can be HIGHLY important to eat low carb (especially refined carbs). As my doctor explained it, the metformin will "tell" on you if you aren't eating low carb, and it can make you really sick. You still need and should eat carbs; you should just be cognizant of the type and number of carbs that you are eating. Fruit and veggies are usually tolerated better by our bodies than other types of carbs.

One of the best things that you can do for yourself is to keep a nutrition journal because not everyone women with PCOS is the same. A simple notebook or SparkPeople's nutrition tracker both work well. Make sure that you are 100% honest about what you have been eating and note how you feel. You will begin to see patterns that will tell you what works best for your body, which is what you ultimately need.

Posts: 437
11/19/12 1:56 P

I was diagnosed with PCOS a week ago, after 6 months of trying to conceive and having no period AND no positive pregnancy tests. So of course I start researching PCOS like crazy mad.

I've been a member of SparkPeople for a long time, and had managed to lose almost 40 lbs last year... Until randomly in February I just quit trying, and I've gained it all back plus a little extra cushion in the 9 months since then. I'm 27 years old, 5'4", and I weigh 235 lbs. So yes, I'm morbidly obese. When the doctor told me to lose 5-7% of my bodyweight to help the Clomipehene she'd prescribed work better, I said "No, I don't need to see a nutritionist. I know what to do."

HOWEVER - in my many many researches into PCOS and how to deal with it naturally, I'm seeing two conflicting things:
Lots of articles seem to be saying go with a low-carb diet, eliminate "white" carbs and sweeteners, only eat 30g of carbs a day (um, is that even possible?)
Another article or three I saw said to elimiate MEAT as much as possible from your diet, because something about meat and testosterone, etc. etc.

SO. When these articles and blogs and websites are talking about eating a low carb diet, are they talking about limiting ALL carbs? Or are they mostly talking about refined carbs? Because I love me some fruit, and brown rice. And 30g of carbs is, like, an apple and a banana and you're done. Forget about having a glass of milk. And then you're supposed to eat lots of protein and very low carbs, but no meat. How does that work?

I can eliminate refined carbs (white flour, white rice, processed sugar) from my diet, no problem. (Well ok, small amount of problem, but it's doable and doable for the long term.) Elimiating carbs completely is a different matter - is it still OK to eat yams and apples and carrots and oranges and...??? Please help!

current weight: 237.4

237.4 224.3 211.2 198.1

185