Depressed about PCOS Diet

by Amber
(Puyallup, WA)

I guess I am a little depressed that after reading your book about the diet plan for PCOS that I can never eat breads or have an "unhealthy" treat again sometimes we all need some of that.

I see the diet plan but what about the times that we want more I'm sure our ancestors did have desserts.

I am a normal weight women I have had 3 prior pregnancies only one of those resulted in a healthy baby (twins). The pregnancies were planned and made with the help of progesterone and clomid.

I developed gestational diabetes during the pregnancy. I understand the risks associated with that and my future.

I would like to have another pregnancy again soon so I am following your diet plan to try and boost my overall health.

I am hoping you can help me find an equal balance for my favorite foods???

Over the last several months the un-pleasant side affect of PCOS have really started to be bothersome as I am having a great deal of hair loss and extra hirsutism (I have always struggled with that) I do have periods every 3mths or 6mths or just sporadic.

I have always been extremely active however I have been a non-workout person the last several years with the stress and time caring for my young twins. I enjoy being active.

Also hoping someone can read this I glanced over the natural supplements and wondering if those are all considered safe during pregnancy and the 'trying' phase.

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Editor's comments: Hi Amber, I understand that the authors ask a lot of you in The Natural Diet Solution ebook.

Why would they present such a difficult diet? Part of the reason is the genetic predisposition that women with PCOS have. What you eat will influence your "epigenome", which is part of your genetic makeup.

To learn more about this, I urge you to read these newsletter articles Are You Playing Genetic Russian Roulette? and Avoid This Hidden Threat to Your Health.

It appears that you are suffering from an excess of androgens, or male hormones. The question is: what is causing this excess, and what can you do about it?

There are many possible causes. One likely reason is that you have a condition called insulin resistance. Some women who have polycystic ovary syndrome are very sensitive to carbohydrate consumption, meaning that they have an exaggerated insulin response, which may eventually lead to insulin resistance.

A good way to reduce insulin resistance and thus reduce androgens, is to change your dietary carb intake and increase your exercise. Even if you don't have insulin resistance, a diet similar to the one in the ebook can be helpful.

I suggest you consult with a MD or a licensed naturopathic physician to determine whether you have insulin resistance and to seek out dietary advice based on your unique health circumstances. There should be several qualified naturopaths in your area.

Getting back to bread and treats. Consider what you can do to re-frame your perspective on foods. If your perspective is that you are depriving yourself, you will not succeed in the long run. But if your perspective is that you are getting healthier day by day by eating the healthiest possible foods, you're likely to be successful.

Find something healthy from the ebook that you can use as a substitute for treats and various refined carbs such as bread, scones, muffins, bagels, etc. Tell yourself that eating the healthier food will slow down your hair loss, improve your fertility, reduce hirsutism, and increase your lifespan so that you can enjoy your future grandchildren.

Improve your diet step by step. Don't try to do everything at once.

And…it's OK to have a piece of bread or a treat now and then, so long as you don't make it a habit.

PS: Our ancestors did have desserts. They seasonally picked ate fruits from trees. They seasonally ate berries from berry bushes. They also occasionally harvested honey from wild beehives, although it took considerable work to get to this delicacy.

PPS: As for the safety of supplements during pregnancy, the product descriptions will say if a supplement should not be taken during pregnancy. Considering your past gestational diabetes, some of the supplements may be indicated during your next pregnancy. This is a decision that should be made jointly with your doctor or naturopath.