I have struggled with PCOS (Polly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome) since I was 14 years old. I did not get diagnosed till I was 23 years old. For years I struggled with weight gain, weight loss issues, bloating, fatigue, brain fog, emotional ups and downs, cravings, mood swings like no other and then of course most common absent periods and irregular periods for years. I had painful periods, and some were heavy periods compared to other months. Then there were months I would have a period two times in one month and then no period for 3-4 months. After turning 23 and finding out I had cysts all over my ovaries and why I was losing my hair on my head and growing hair on my face that was thick, and dark was extremely bothersome!!!
Here is what I chose to do, while most women have to take medications because the most common contribution to PCOS is insulin resistance and obesity. I on the other hand got lucky and have the skinny PCOS. I call it skinny because I am and yet I have PCOS. Now, they do say 86% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance that is huge and more than half! I honestly don’t know if I do or don’t but can only go off of how I feel. Some people say PCOS is curable but only the non-educated say that it really is not curable! But! we can reverse a lot of the symptoms and control them through proper diet and exercise.
Below are some pictures of meals that I have made and honestly, I am not perfect. I crave dark chocolate around that time of the month or holidays. I have a sweet tooth like anyone else and I have to seriously be careful of what I eat. I have to eliminate all dairy out of my diet, and I also have to eliminate gluten as much as possible. I have noticed these two food groups have inflamed my PCOS like no other. They both cause Hirsutism bad for me, acne and bloating issues. Now, since all PCOS struggle with insulin issues of course I do have to be mindful of that. So, avoiding fruits high in sugar like bananas and watermelon are fruits I try to have once in a blue moon. Berries on the other hand are a GO! They are great for you and are low on the MOD diet. Other foods to maintain my PCOS diet is having lean protein, no processed meats, no fried foods, no processed sugars, no sodas and making sure that I am not eating out.
I know this is very hard to maintain especially as a busy mom or busy woman who works a lot and doesn’t have the time to cook. Trust me I know! Although it is possible and there are so many yummy healthy foods out on the market. I do food prep and I also enjoy cooking so that is one thing I can say I love. If you want to manage your PCOS the natural way this is how I do it without birth control and other drugs. I have seen a difference in my energy, my hair, my face and my body. Now I also take supplements as well to make up what I lack in food. Let’s be honest no one can get all their nutrients from the food in the store, because it is old and chemically treated to last longer on the shelf.
Okay well I will be uploading some pictures of the food I make, enjoy.