Diet Chart For Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD)

'Polycystic ovary syndrome' is a problem in which a woman's hormones are out of balance. It can cause problems with your periods and make it difficult to get pregnant. PCOS also may cause unwanted changes in the way you look.

If it isn't treated, over time it can lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease. Most women with PCOS grow many small cysts on their ovaries. That is why it is called polycystic ovary syndrome.

Early diagnosis and treatment can help control the symptoms and prevent long-term problems. Changing the way you eat can help you manage the symptoms much better.

Consumption of certain types of foods may aggravate the symptoms of the disease. Hence, staying away from refined flour, sugar, dairy products and carbohydrates help to greatly reduce insulin imbalance and associated symptom occurrence. Replacing such foods with raw fruits, green leafy vegetables and foods with a low glycemic index help to maintain the nutrition value and also aids weight loss. Foods that have a high GI result in a quick rise in blood sugar levels. Insulin levels follow suit to deal with the glucose in the blood stream. Generally, high GI foods have been processed to remove fibre and other nutrients so they may be tasty but they are high in calories while lacking in nutrients. Green, leafy vegetables have the most nutrients per calorie than any other food. They are rich in iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, as well as vitamins K, C, E, and many of the B vitamins.

Vitamin B in particular plays a vital role in managing PCOS symptoms. This is also worth a further discussion so I will write a separate post for it. Here are just some of the things that Vitamin B is responsible for: sugar and fat metabolism, thyroid function and hormone balance, amongst others. It plays a vital role in the management of PCOS.

Do's

1. Gradually increase the intake of high fiber carbohydrates.
2. Emphasize lean protein foods.
3. Include mono unsaturated and omega 3 fatty acid foods.
4. Include different fruits and vegetables.
5. Drink minimum 2 liter water.
6. Do regular exercise.

Dont's

1. Do not skip meals.
2. Don't take heavy meals at a time.
3. Avoid processed juices and soaft drinks.
4. Avoid deep fried foods.

1. Cereal: Brown rice, whole wheat, oats, jowar, bajra, ragi
2. Pulses: red gram, green gram, black gram, bengal gram
3. Vegetables: all gourds-bitter gourd, snake gourd, ridge gourd, bottle gourd, ivy gourd, ladies finger, tinda,green leafy vegetables
4. Fruits: citrus fruits-orange, mousambi, grape fruit, lemon; berries-strawberry, blueberry, black berry; cranberry, cherries, papaya, pineapple, guava.
5. Milk and milk products: low fat milk, low fat curd.
6. Meat,fish & egg: Skin out chicken, egg white, fish like salmon, sardines, trout, mackerel, tuna.
7. Oil: 2 tsp (10ml)
8. Sugar: 2 tsp (10gm)
9. Other beverages: green tea