I have PCOS & would like to know more about a low GI diet??
442292
I also have PCOS and I highly recommend the SugarBusters diet.  It helped immensely.  I've lost about 25 lbs on it.
963819
I would highly recommend treatment. It is nearly impossible for women with PCOS to lose weight without treating the PCOS.\n\n The underlying cause of PCOS is insulin resistance (IR). If you treat the IR, then your chances of getting pregnant are about the same as anyone else (assuming there are no other problems not related to the PCOS). The best treatment for PCOS is going on an insulin sensitizing drug such as metformin (1500-2550mg per day) combined with a low carb diet and exercise. If this doesn't work by itself (which in most cases I've seen..it does), then you can add fertility treatments to this. There are a few important things to know:\n\n1. Many women "pass" the test for IR, but still respond positively from the metformin. No one knows exactlly why..my thought is that the test is not a sure fire way of detecting the IR.\n\n2. You must be on a high enough dose of metformin. I've heard women complain that their bodies dont start working even though they've been on metformin for awhile. Some doctors are hesitant to up the dose past 1500mg...but for some of us it takes more. I don't respond until my dose is around 2000mg a day. \n\n3. It can take a few months on the correct dose, before your body ovulates on it's own. \n\n4. It is important to treat your PCOS even when you are not trying to get pregnant. There are higher risks for many things (high blood pressure, blood clots, diabetes, and many other things) when you have PCOS, but if it is treated properly, then those risks go back to a normal rate. \n\n5. The side effects of metformin are not the greatest, however...I lost almost 30lbs in 3 months without really doing anything differently. It seemed like the weight just melted off for me. \n\n6. PCOS symptoms and how a body responds to the treatment vary incredibly. No one can predict exactlly what will happen and how your body will respond. That being said: most women I know how treat PCOS properly, report very positive things. \n\nI recommend seeing a reproductive endocrinologist. They are the most knowledgeable about PCOS and any fertility treatments that you may want to do in the future. I also highly recommend visiting http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-bhp... It is a great message board, where you can ask all your PCOS questions. The women there are great. Good luck.
1035527
This is totally and completely a question you need to ask your doctor. However, I did know of a good friend who was in a similar situation, and after going to her doctor, discovered that she had some strange sensitivity to higher glycemic foods - once she controlled her intake of them, it was easier for her to get pregnant. Her doctor did say that many women suffer from a similar condition, and when I tried it myself, even I felt better (cyclical-wise, I mean, as I'm not trying to get pregnant yet) but again, the best bet is to talk to your doctor about all of this - maybe doing a little research on your own wouldn't hurt, either, so that you'll be that much more able to discuss a plan of action with him or her). Best of luck to you and you husband!
580622
I had this same problem. I had been to several different doctors before i went to the one im with now. I have a condition called PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrom) I had to be put on glucophage and a hormone replacement, it helped me get pregnant within three to five mths of taking them. And when i did get pregnant i had to have regualar checkups for me and the baby and i had to continue the glucophage through the whole pregnancy so i wouldnt miscarry. So i highly suggest going to a OBGYN and gettin tests done to see if you might have a condition stoppin you from gettin pregnant.
912720
Here's a little info about metformin that might help. I also recommend visiting http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-bhpcos. It's a great place to ask all your PCOS questions. Good luck and hope this info helps. \n\n*Metformin is neither a weight loss nor a fertility medication.  It helps our body use glucose/insulin better.  In turn, it helps our body balance its hormones.  Some of the "happy" side effects can be weight loss, regular periods, and ovulation.  It can also potentially help with our other symptoms.  It is recommended that PCOSers take 1500mg to 2550 mg of Met/Gluc daily (after building up).  \n\n*****It can take up to 6 months on the right dosage to see any effects.*****\n\n*If you are taking the Extended Release version of Metformin/Glucophage, then you should be taking all of your pills at the same time each day.  Start the dosage out slowly, like one pill for a week or two and then add another one for a week or two until you are up to your prescribed dosage.  They recommend taking it with dinner.  What I, personally, have found is that I am better off taking it before bed.  But everyone is different!  (side note: some who are on the extended release have found that it works better for them to spread the dose throughout the day either because they don’t get the side effects or it help with their symptoms better.  If you are not getting good results after the six months on the full dose with the extended release you might want to try this)\n\n*If you are on the regular version of Metformin/Glucophage, you should be spacing your pills out through your day.  Start the dosage out slowly, like one pill for a week or two and then add another one for a week or two until you are up to your prescribed dosage.  Start taking your first pill at night.  Your second pill in the morning.  Your third pill in the afternoon.  Only up the dose if you are doing well.  It can take some time for your body to adjust to the medication.  Let it:)  *If you still can't handle the med after everything here, talk to your doctor about either switching to the Extended Release versions or another IR drug like Avandia.\n\n*Drink a ton of water!!!  About half your weight in ounces.  I weigh 170 pounds, so I should drink 85 ounces of water daily.  Your body needs to be able to clean itself and water helps it!\n\n*Try to eat good carbs rather than bad carbs (i.e. whole grains rather than white flour products).  Try to eat some protein with your carbs.  It does help your body use glucose/insulin better.  If this isn't enough, try lowering your carb intake.\n\n*Snack inbetween meals.  Don’t let yourself get too hungry.  Eat something about every 3 hours.\n\n*Take your pills with a meal and make sure you hve enough protein. Some do great making sure they have milk as well.  Milk has actually been proven to help with IR.\n\n*Think about the timing of when you take your medicing.  Try just before you eat, during, or after.  Sometimes that can make all the difference.\n\n*Fish oil…omega 3 and 6.\n\n*Milk Thistle
567006
If you want to do this it is for life so you need to totally change your way of eating and exercising. This is not a diet rather than a healthy eating plan for life. So no more talking diet cause it means time limit. \n\nHere are the golden rules: \nInitially cut down to 1200 (women) - 1500 (men) calories. \nExercise 6 times per week for 1 hours a day. Do three weight sessions and three cardio sessions. No gym involved. \nDon't eat carbs after 4pm, never eat carbs within 2 hours of exercise or within 1 hour of exercise. \nDrink 3 litres of water per day. You can have a green tea at the end of the day. \nLimit your fruit in take to 2 pieces per day. \nNever eat dinner after 6pm.\nAdopt of low GI eating plan this is sustainable for life!\nMake low fat dairy choices \n\nFollow this menu plan as a suggestion: \nBreakfast 7am - 1 cup hot water w lemon\n20 minutes later have a bowel of oats w water (no honey) OR\nfruit salad w low GI soy yogurt\nSnack 10am - pear or apple (both low GI)\nLunch 12.30pm - muligrain sandwich w 50g tuna & salad (no butter)\nSnack 3pm - low GI yogurt OR skim berry smoothie (no honey or banana) plenty of ice, 1/2 cup skim milk & 1/4 cup yogurt\nDinner 5.30pm - 120g grilled lean meat/fish/prawns/tofu patties (not fried) w spinach salad & mixed vegies (no whites, carbs) OR 3 egg white/soy omlette with ham, cheese and tomato\nSnack - 1 scoop of low cal low fat ice cream (if hungry)\n\nExercise is must be intense. Refer to www.bodybuilding.com for your weights routine. Never do weights two consecutive days have a cardio day in between. \n\nCardio needs to include running, go hard up stair wells and cycling. You get the most benefits from exercise when your body is totally fatigued and this is when you see changes. \n\nTo maintain you can increase calories to 1500 (women) - 1800 (men) and reduce exercise sessions to 3-4 times per week. If weight creeps up again due to holiday period etc.. go back to 1200 (women) - 1500 (men) cal and 6 sessions again. \n\nGood luck it worked for me it can work for anyone.
1020044
Healthy food, exercise, water, these three go hand in hand when you want to lead a healthy, happy and fit existance. \n\nIf you want to do this it is for life so you need to totally change your way of eating and exercising. This is not a diet rather than a healthy eating plan for life. So no more talking diet cause it means time limit. \n\nHere are the golden rules: \nInitially cut down to 1200 (women) - 1500 (men) calories. \nExercise 6 times per week for 1 hours a day. Do three weight sessions and three cardio sessions. No gym involved if you don't have the access. \nDon't eat carbs after 4pm, never eat carbs within 2 hours of exercise or within 1 hour of exercise. \nDrink 3 litres of water per day. You can have a green tea at the end of the day. \nLimit your fruit in take to 2 pieces per day. \nNever eat dinner after 6pm.\nAdopt of low GI eating plan this is sustainable for life!\nMake low fat dairy choices \n\nFollow this menu plan as a suggestion: \nBreakfast 7am - 1 cup hot water w lemon\n20 minutes later have a bowel of oats w water (no honey) OR\nfruit salad w low GI soy yogurt\nSnack 10am - pear or apple (both low GI)\nLunch 12.30pm - muligrain sandwich w 50g tuna & salad (no butter)\nSnack 3pm - low GI yogurt OR skim berry smoothie (no honey or banana) plenty of ice, 1/2 cup skim milk & 1/4 cup yogurt\nDinner 5.30pm - 120g grilled lean meat/fish/prawns/tofu patties (not fried) w spinach salad & mixed vegies (no whites, carbs) OR 3 egg white/soy omlette with ham, cheese and tomato\nSnack - 1 scoop of low cal low fat ice cream (if hungry)\n\nExercise is must be intense. Refer to www.bodybuilding.com for your weights routine. Never do weights two consecutive days have a cardio day in between. \n\nCardio needs to include running, go hard up stair wells and cycling. If you have access to a gym include boxing and spin classes as well. You get the most benefits from exercise when your body is totally fatigued and this is when you see changes. \n\nTo maintain you can increase calories to 1500 (women) - 1800 (men) and reduce exercise sessions to 3-4 times per week. If weight creeps up again due to holiday period etc.. go back to 1200 (women) - 1500 (men) cal and 6 sessions again. \n\nGood luck it worked for me it can work for anyone.
1058553
How about avoiding them and get active instead of eating them it would be a great start. \n\nIf you want to do this it is for life so you need to totally change your way of eating and exercising. This is not a diet rather than a healthy eating plan for life. So no more talking diet cause it means time limit. Stop making some major mistakes wake up earlier and get active earlier your metabolism is sluggish and needs to be woken up this is half your problem. \n\nHere are the golden rules: \nInitially cut down to 1200 calories. \nExercise 6 times per week for 1 hours a day. Do three weight sessions and three cardio sessions. No gym involved. \nDon't eat carbs after 4pm, never eat carbs within 2 hours of exercise or within 1 hour of exercise. \nDrink 3 litres of water per day. You can have a green tea at the end of the day. \nLimit your fruit in take to 2 pieces per day. \nNever eat dinner after 6pm.\nAdopt of low GI eating plan this is sustainable for life!\nMake low fat dairy choices \n\nFollow this menu plan as a suggestion: \nBreakfast 7am - 1 cup hot water w lemon\n20 minutes later have a bowel of oats w water (no honey) OR\nfruit salad w low GI soy yogurt\nSnack 10am - pear or apple (both low GI)\nLunch 12.30pm - multigrain sandwich w 50g tuna & salad (no butter)\nSnack 3pm - low GI yogurt OR skim berry smoothie (no honey or banana) plenty of ice, 1/2 cup skim milk & 1/4 cup yogurt\nDinner 5.30pm - 120g grilled lean meat/fish/prawns/tofu patties (not fried) w spinach salad & mixed vegies (no whites, carbs) OR 3 egg white/soy omlette with ham, cheese and tomato\nSnack - 1 scoop of low cal low fat ice cream (if hungry)\n\nExercise is must be intense. Refer to www.bodybuilding.com for your weights routine. Never do weights two consecutive days have a cardio day in between. \n\nCardio needs to include running, go hard up stair wells and cycling. You get the most benefits from exercise when your body is totally fatigued and this is when you see changes. \n\nto maintain you can increase calories to 1500 and reduce exercise sessions to 3-4 times per week. If weight creeps up again due to holiday period etc.. go back to 1200 cal and 6 sessions again. \n\nGood luck it worked for me it can work for anyone.
708741
You need to be referred to a consultant. It's not heavier women that get PCOS its the condition and hormone levels that make women put on the weight ( not all are succeptable).\nA consultant will be able to take blood, do scans and physical exams and will be able to put you on the right medication or suggest surgery etc. Don't hang around....I had a hysterectomy last year due to these conditions and I'm only 24 !!!
930980
1600 cals may well be too low if you are exercising heavily!  Depending on the diet you've been given the actual foods could be the problem.  If its low carb...dump it and get another trainer!  No one working out should severely restrict their carbs!! Low carb diets are a menace to the system.  \nLook at the GI diet. Its sensible and based on sound scientific pricipals and it works...:D
514938
This is the plan I try to give everyone out there and it does work!\n\nIf you want to do this for life you need to totally change your way of eating and exercising. This is not a diet rather than a healthy eating plan for life. So no more talking diet cause it means time limit. \n\nHere are the golden rules: \nInitially cut down to 1200 calories. \nExercise 6 times per week for 1.5 hours a day. Do three weight sessions and three cardio sessions. \nDon't eat carbs after 4pm, never eat carbs within 2 hours of exercise or within 1 hour of exercise. \nDrink 3 litres of water per day. You can have a green tea at the end of the day. \nLimit your fruit in take to 2 pieces per day. \nNever eat dinner after 6pm.\nAdopt of low GI eating plan this is sustainable for life! \n\nFollow this menu plan as a suggestion: \nBreakfast 7am - 1 cup hot water w lemon\n20 minutes later have a bowel of oats w water (no honey) OR\nfruit salad w low GI yogurt\nSnack 10am - pear or apple (both low GI)\nLunch 12.30pm - muligrain sandwich w 50g lean meat & salad (no butter)\nSnack 3pm - low GI yogurt OR skim berry smoothie (no honey or banana) plenty of ice, 1/2 cup skim milk & 1/4 cup yogurt\nDinner 5.30pm - 120g grilled lean meat w spinach salad & mixed vegies (no whites, carbs) OR 3 egg white omlette with ham and tomato\nSnack - 1 scoop of low cal low fat ice cream (if hungry)\n\nExercise is must be intense. Refer to www.bodybuilding.com for your weights routine. You can do a circuit class but this counts as one weights session. Never do weights two consecutive days have a cardio day in between. \n\nCardio needs to include running, boxing and spin. If your classes are less than 1 hour top it up with cardio before and after classes. You get the most benefits from exercise when your body is totally fatigued and this is when you see changes. \n\nTo maintain you can increase calories to 1500 and reduce exercise sessions to 3-4 times per week. If weight creeps up again due to holiday period etc.. go back to 1200 cal and 6 sessions again. \n\nGood luck it worked for me it can work for anyone.
718509
Have you seen an Endocrinologist and Dietitian yet or just your General Practitioner?\n\nPlease don't go on any of those fad diets they can do more harm than good.  You really are going to have to do a overhaul on your lifestyle.  First of all you need to be checking you glucose levels regularly.  If before a meal your levels are high .. do not eat .. you will have to do something aerobic to break down the sugars .. walking should do the trick.  Just make healthy choices and keep you meals small.  Small meals are going to be key in maintaining tight control.  You can still eat fruits and small amount of bread and starches you just have to do it in moderation.  Please get with a dietitian as soon as possible they will get you on your way.
254283
Why?  Are you pregnant, diabetic or suffer from Gestational Diabetes?  Are you not eating enough total calories, going too long between meals, skipping meals/snacks, nauseous, not eating well/throwing up, not getting enough food for energy, or are you so insulin-resistant from hormones that your body cannot access the blood sugar that's there?   Have you recently had a ketone test done and the levels were high?   Have you been doing Ketone test strips?   Are you doing ketogenic diets, such as Atkins to lose weight?   Are you treating a child with epilepsy? Are you painting a portrait of julie?  What are you up to again??? \n\nA diet of Lobster and Butter definitely helps, so does Goat meat, cat's claw, fried frog legs, etc.   ;-)
572477
It is very common, but needs to be looked into by a doctor.\n\nYou may have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. This is not cysts on your ovaries. If this is the case you may also have insulin resistance, which is a genetic condition that is made worse by your lifestyle.  This can cause you to not ovulate, which means you won't get your period.  You may need to eventually see an endocronologist.\n\nIf this is the case, you will need to drastically reduce your insulin levels. which is done through a combination of exercise and a drug called metformin and less importantly, but still necessary is a diet. You will need to follow a low GI (glycemic index) diet.\n\nSome leaders in the world in GI,PCOS and Insulin Resistance are Australian and their books are published internationally.  Please see the link. Anything by Jenny Brand Miller et al is in the series.\n\nThe top specialists in the workd will actually recommend these to you as well.
861670
Sounds like you have insulin resistance, which is the underlying cause of PCOS. Although, some women "pass" the test, they still seem to respond positively to treating the insulin resistance. The best way to treat this is with an insulin sensitizing drug, such as metformin, combined with a good diet and exercise. I highly recommend visiting www.ivillage.com. There is a great message board there where you can ask all your PCOS questions.
925355
Worry about what?\n\nPCOS refers to multiple cysts on the ovaries and a host of other problems that go along with them, including anovulation (lack of ovulation) and menstrual abnormalities, hirsutism (facial hair), male pattern baldness, acne, and often obesity. Such women may also have varying degrees of insulin resistance and an increased incidence of Type II diabetes, unfavorable lipid patterns (usually high triglycerides), and a low bone density. Laboratory tests often show higher than normal circulating androgens, especially testosterone.\n\nPCOS occurs when a woman doesn't ovulate, which causes a disruption in the normal, cyclical interrelationship among her hormones, brain and ovaries. \n\nFor example, if the follicle migrates to the outside of the ovary, but does not "pop" the egg and release it, the follicle becomes a cyst, and the normal progesterone surge does not occur. The lack of progesterone is detected by the hypothalamus, which continues to try to stimulate the ovary by increasing its production of GnRH, which increases the pituitary production of FSH and LH. This stimulates the ovary to make more estrogen and androgens, which stimulates more follicles toward ovulation. If these additional follicles are also unable to produce a matured ovum or make progesterone, the menstrual cycle is dominated by increased estrogen and androgen production without progesterone. This is the fundamental abnormality that creates PCOS.\n\nIt can be remedied by a natural progesterone cream. This will add progesteron back into the cycle, and allow for normal hormonal cycles to return.\n\n\n\nThe Diet Connection to PCOS\n\nBy far the biggest lifestyle contributor to PCOS is poor diet. Young women with PCOS tend to eat far too much sugar and highly refined carbohydrates. These foods cause an unhealthy rise in insulin levels. According to Jerilyn Prior, M.D., insulin stimulates androgen receptors on the outside of the\novary, causing the typical PCOS symptoms of excess hair (on the face, arms, legs), thin hair (on the head), and acne. \n\nEventually, this type of diet will cause obesity, this will cause insulin resistance (the inability of the cells to take in insulin), which will aggravate the PCOS even more. The androgens\nalso play a role in blocking the release of the egg from the follicle.\n\nWomen, who have a high number of dysfunctional follicles to begin with, due to xenobiotic exposure in the womb, will have worse problems if their diets are high in sugary foods and low in nutrition. Since this is exactly the type of diet favored by teens and young women, it's easy to understand why there is so much PCOS in that age group. Fifty years ago, the average person\nate one pound of sugar a year. Today the average teenager today eats one pound a week! Potato chips, corn chips, pasta and white rice are all highly refined carbohydrates that also act on the body much the same as sugars do.\n\nWhen you look at the whole picture of PCOS, you can understand why the hormone-blocking and insulin-lowering drugs don't work for very long. These approaches don't address the underlying cause of the problem. They only suppress symptoms. Improvement is only temporary and both types of drugs have terribly unpleasant side effects.\n\nBy the same token, you can't just take progesterone, and you can't just cut out the sugar. You usually need to do both. Exercise and good nutrition are also very important in maintaining hormone balance.
636427
Listen I have had two kids and both girls with horrible hormonal pregnancies. I couldn't lose any weight with my first but was sooo determined with the second and I now weigh less than what I did when I feel pregnant with the second. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me happy to help in any way am now studying personal training. \n\nIf you want to do this it is for life so you need to totally change your way of eating and exercising. This is not a diet rather than a healthy eating plan for life. So no more talking diet cause it means time limit. \n\nHere are the golden rules: \nInitially cut down to 1200 calories. \nExercise 6 times per week for 1 hours a day. Do three weight sessions and three cardio sessions. No gym involved. \nDon't eat carbs after 4pm, never eat carbs within 2 hours of exercise or within 1 hour of exercise. \nDrink 3 litres of water per day. You can have a green tea at the end of the day. \nLimit your fruit in take to 2 pieces per day. \nNever eat dinner after 6pm.\nAdopt of low GI eating plan this is sustainable for life!\nMake low fat dairy choices \n\nFollow this menu plan as a suggestion: \nBreakfast 7am - 1 cup hot water w lemon\n20 minutes later have a bowel of oats w water (no honey) OR\nfruit salad w low GI soy yogurt\nSnack 10am - pear or apple (both low GI)\nLunch 12.30pm - muligrain sandwich w 50g tuna & salad (no butter)\nSnack 3pm - low GI yogurt OR skim berry smoothie (no honey or banana) plenty of ice, 1/2 cup skim milk & 1/4 cup yogurt\nDinner 5.30pm - 120g grilled lean meat/fish/prawns/tofu patties (not fried) w spinach salad & mixed vegies (no whites, carbs) OR 3 egg white/soy omlette with ham, cheese and tomato\nSnack - 1 scoop of low cal low fat ice cream (if hungry)\n\nExercise is must be intense. Refer to www.bodybuilding.com for your weights routine. Never do weights two consecutive days have a cardio day in between. \n\nCardio needs to include running, go hard up stair wells and cycling. You get the most benefits from exercise when your body is totally fatigued and this is when you see changes. \n\nTo maintain you can increase calories to 1500 and reduce exercise sessions to 3-4 times per week. If weight creeps up again due to holiday period etc.. go back to 1200 cal and 6 sessions again. \n\nGood luck it worked for me it can work for anyone.