Here is a list of foods that must be diligently avoided during PCOS.
1. Processed and Pre-packaged Foods
Most highly processed and pre-packaged convenience foods are made with unhealthy food ingredients such as high fructose corn syrup, refined flour, processed meats, refined sugars, dairy products, and artificial sweeteners. These foods also contain high amounts of salt or hidden forms of sodium, preservatives and artificial coloring and flavoring agents. Processed foods are generally made from pro-inflammatory, high calorie and low-quality ingredients which can lead to hormone disruption. Few examples of processed foods are sausages, salami, fries, bottled jams, ranch dips, and jellies.
2. Simple and Refined Carbohydrates
Women who suffer from PCOS are at a higher risk of developing diabetes and weight gain. Sugar-rich foods and refined carbohydrates have a high glycemic index that tends to increase the blood sugar levels. Refined sugar, high fructose corn syrups, cane syrup or natural sugars in any processed form are worst foods to consume if you have PCOS. Also be careful with your alcohol intake as alcohol also highly effects your glucose-insulin balance. Few examples of foods made with simple and refined carbohydrates are sweetened cereals, cakes, candies, sodas, syrups, bagels, cereals, cookies, muffins, cupcakes, and other baked goods and sugary foods.
3. Soy Products
Soy Products usually cause a delay in ovulation because soy contains plant estrogen that acts like estrogen in the body and confuses the body that it has enough amount of estrogen and thus it tends to slow down estrogen production. It is not recommended for women with PCOS to consume soy products as it escalates the problem.
4. Caffeine and Alcohol
Women who suffer from PCOS should be careful with their caffeine and alcohol intake as they from long these two have been associated with infertility. Also be careful with your alcohol intake as alcohol also highly effects your glucose-insulin balance.
5. Gluten
Gluten tends to create general inflammation in the body, due to which the body the body becomes more resistant to insulin, as a result, the body gets accumulated with high levels of testosterone. Therefore, women with PCOS should avoid gluten.
6. Dairy– Cow’s Milk, Cream, Cheese
Milk limits the normal testosterone metabolism due to its high protein content and thus has a tendency to increase high testosterone levels. High testosterone levels can worsen your PCOS condition. Even reduced fat and skim milk are associated with meta inflammation. Dairy consumption can also trigger acne outbreak thus directly affecting obesity and insulin resistance.
7. Red Meat
Red meat is associated with increased risks of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Also, a high protein diet can cause a decrease in the production of sex hormone binding globulin which is very important in reducing testosterone levels which is very crucial for PCOS recovery.
8. Unhealthy Fats
Unhealthy fats are a bad news for harmony in our hormones. Unhealthy fats crowd out our consumption of healthy fats which are important for maintaining healthy levels of good cholesterol in our body. These unhealthy fats are high in omega 6 fatty acids which are pro-inflammatory and which when not adequately balanced by a similar amount of anti-inflammatory omega 3s can lead to an omega fat imbalance which has been linked to cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and kidney disease, cancer, and even depression.
