You will see a number of PCOS diets being advertised online, and it can be difficult to decide which one to follow. Like all diets, there isn't one definitive program that will be effective at the expense of all the others, but you should be on the look out for certain elements within the program to make sure it's suitable for losing weight with PCOS and not likely to cause your body more harm than good.
The most important thing to remember is that once you commit to following a healthy eating program you stick to it. This can be especially important when you have PCOS, as weight loss may not occur as quickly as it does for other women and you can often hit a plateau or "sticking point". If you are becoming frustrated with not losing weight, remind yourself you are eating for health, not just weight loss, and that by following a PCOS diet you are preventing further health problems in the future.
Another important element to look for and avoid is promises of fast weight loss, after which you can return to your old eating habits. This will result in yo-yo dieting, and ultimately will pcos diet chart mean the weight being put back on and you finding it harder to lose weight the next time, potentially putting your body at risk of other health issues.
When you are assessing PCOS diets you should look for how they propose to combat Insulin Resistance. Research shows that many women with PCOS have Insulin Resistance or are likely to develop it. This means they need a diet that keeps blood sugar and insulin levels steady. Apart from the short-term effects of this, which include increased weight gain, lack of energy and increased hunger, it can eventually lead to developing Type II Diabetes and the many health risks associated with it. Your PCOS diet should involve eating foods that release the energy slowly, and these will often be referred to as Low-GI or Low-GL foods.
Your diet should put an emphasis on eating mainly organic and unprocessed foods, whenever possible. We consume toxins everyday in our foods and, especially with PCOS, it's important to try to avoid anything that will upset the natural balance of your body further and prevent your body working efficiently.
Any diet for PCOS should mention exercise, even if it doesn't include an exercise program. A mixture of cardio and lean muscle-building exercise will give an important boost to your body's metabolism and generally improve your mood and wellbeing.
Finally, there are a number of vitamins and minerals that benefit women with PCOS and any diet should offer advice on the main ones you need to be getting, either naturally in your food or as supplements.