Dieting in the era of social media has become tedious as everyone seems to have a say in it. Especially with conditions as common as PCOS, there is an overwhelming supply of information available to us. You might have several people telling you what you should be eating, what you should be staying away from, and giving you unsolicited advice. Now with all of this data, how do we separate facts from myths or simply advice that is generic and not relevant to each one of us?
When it comes to nutrition, we at BCOS Foods believe that it is important to understand your PCOS root cause and triggers before deciding on a strategy that may work for you. Helping you understand your root cause can then aid you in understanding your path to PCOS management. One important step in that path is your diet. A good starting point is to filter out the scientifically unsound information and here we are busting out the top 3 myths about a PCOS diet.
Myth 1: You need to ward off carbs to survive PCOS
Somewhere, we have accepted that carbs are the bad guys. While the truth is, their good or evil lies in how we treat them. Though it is important to monitor the type and amount of carbs that are being consumed, it is not necessary to completely restrict them from the diet. Foods rich in carbohydrates are abundant in other nutrients as well which are crucial for our body. Carbohydrates help in providing energy to the body.
Yes, staying off highly processed sugars is one of the best decisions one could make in life. But, having natural carbs, in the right amounts could be a turning point in the management of PCOS. If you have to follow a PCOS diet, the first step would be to have the right balance of complex and simple carbs along with ample addition of proteins in the diet. Complex carbs include millets, grains, vegetables, and legumes and tend to have a lower glycemic index.
Myth 2: PCOS diet has to be dairy and gluten-free
Yes, studies do indicate that gluten and dairy could aggravate PCOS for some but there is little to no evidence suggesting that including gluten or dairy can lead to the development of PCOS. It has become a common practice for many women to go on a dairy-and gluten-free diet to manage their PCOS. Is this restriction necessary for everyone?
PCOS is an inflammatory condition. Gluten and dairy both might have a certain inflammatory effect on the body, said that not all women show positive results after eliminating these food groups from the diet. So, unless there is a marked insensitivity or intolerance to gluten there is no indication to completely eliminate it from the diet. What can help is a reduction in quantity.
Similarly, when it comes to dairy, there are skin-related conditions and intolerances that demand its removal, but if the dairy is digested well and there are no or fewer skin-related ailments just reducing the consumption of dairy would be better rather than saying No to it completely. So, to conclude, a PCOS diet does not mandatorily have to be gluten or dairy-free. It would depend exclusively on the individual, their triggers, and their symptoms.
Myth 3: You need to go fat-free to burn fat
When there is an accumulation of fat in the body we tend to cut out fat from the diet. The fats from processed and junk foods i.e. the trans fats are capable of being the noose on our neck but there are a lot of good fats that are left out when a person goes on a fat-free diet. Omega 3 rich fats have high anti-inflammatory properties and mood-enhancing qualities, that is, a diet devoid of fat will be devoid of this goodness.
There are several myths and misconceptions on what your diet should be if you have a condition like PCOS. What is important to remember is that your diet should include all the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and help you fuel your body. Depriving your body of key food groups such as fats and carbs is only going to make it tougher in your journey towards living a healthier life. A PCOS diet doesnât have to be free of any crucial nutrients, it just needs to be inclusive of foods of the right kind at the right time and of the right amount tailored specifically for you.
We offer personalised doctor and nutrition counselling to help manage your PCOS. Also, do checkout our tasty millet flour staples to take charge of your nutritional modifications for long term reproductive health management.