Polycystic Ovary Syndrome – PCOS

Please note that the following does not replace medical or nutritional advice from a healthcare professional.

First and foremost it’s important to make sure you have the right diagnosis and are seeing an endocrinologist.

Lifestyle modification (diet and exercise) is the first line of treatment for PCOS. It is highly recommended to consult a vegan-friendly dietitian to help you with a personalized meal plan. You don’t necessarily need a low-carb diet rather than a “smart” carb diet. That means you should pick the right kind of carbs and divide them into small portions during the day.

Also, if you are overweight or obese it’s important to lose weight in order to improve your symptoms, health, and fertility.

Here are a few helpful tips:

1. Carbs – the trick is to eat complex carbohydrates from fiber-rich, whole, plant-based foods – legumes and whole grains – divided into small portions throughout the day.
2. Enjoy low-carb foods like tofu, TVP, and seitan, which can balance your carbohydrate intake during meals and allow you to eat low-carb meals when desired.
3. Pack in the veggies – Eat plenty of vegetables with and between meals (this does not include potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas).
4. Eat small portions of fruits between meals and add some nuts or seeds to allow for a slower glucose blood rise.
5. Minimize your intake of snacks, sweets, soft drinks, and juices.