Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that affects about one in 10 women. This condition is associated with increased levels of two hormones in the body – insulin and androgens (male-type hormones) – that cause symptoms such as absent or irregular periods, excessive facial and body hair, pimples, weight gain and challenges with fertility.
It can be hard to manage your weight when you have PCOS. This includes maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight. Excess weight can increase the hormones responsible for PCOS symptoms.
A healthy lifestyle is the most effective approach to managing PCOS symptoms. This includes eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight and being as active as possible.
Diet
While there’s no evidence that one diet is better than another in helping to manage PCOS symptoms, it’s recommended women with PCOS eat a healthy, balanced diet.
A healthy diet:
ensures you get an adequate intake of nutrients, vitamins and minerals
helps you to prevent weight gain and lose weight (if you are overweight)
helps to regulate hormone levels, which may improve PCOS symptoms such as acne, excess hair growth, irregular periods and challenges with fertility
helps to reduce the risk of related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease
is more effective than exercise alone in achieving a healthy weight.
What is a healthy diet?
A healthy diet means eating a variety of foods from the five food groups every day. For example, vegetables, fruit, grains, lean meats and reduced-fat dairy. It’s also important to focus on eating low-GI carbohydrates, which produce lower glucose and insulin levels in the blood. And drink plenty of water.
Healthy eating tips
If you want to lose weight, it’s more effective to reduce food (calorie) intake rather than follow a specific diet. Small dietary changes that can be maintained over time can lead to many health benefits.
It’s recommended that women with PCOS eat regularly (every three to four hours) to help stabilise their insulin levels. Aim to eat often but reduce portion sizes.
For lunch and dinner, aim for half of the food you eat to be vegetables and salad.
Healthy meal and snack ideas
Breakfast
Half a cup of low-fat yoghurt, half a cup of berries and two dessertspoons of seeds and nuts.
Lunch
Salad with two cups of raw mixed vegetables (such as lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes) plus a small portion of protein (salmon, chicken, tofu, eggs).
Dinner
Stir-fried vegetables and chicken, lean meat or tofu.
Snacks
Small handful of raw nuts.
Unsweetened yoghurt.
An apple or a piece of stone fruit or kiwi fruit.
A boiled egg.
Tzatziki, baba ghanoush or humous and vegetable sticks (e.g. carrots, cucumber, celery).
Drinks
Drink plenty of water.
Herbal tea (e.g. spearmint tea).
Avoid soft drinks, fruit juice, flavoured milks and sports drinks as these contain added sugars and calories.
Limit alcohol to no more than 1 to 2 standard drinks per day and ensure regular alcohol-free days every week.
For more healthy meal ideas, visit www.jh.today/living-with-pcos.
When to see your doctor
It’s a good idea to check in with your doctor before starting a weight loss program, especially if you have other health conditions. You should also see your doctor if:
you have been trying to lose weight without success
your PCOS symptoms are affecting your daily life
your PCOS symptoms are not improving despite treatment.
For more information, resources and references, visit the
Jean Hailes PCOS web page.
Updated May 2023
Disclaimer: This information does not replace medical advice. If you are worried about your health, talk to your doctor or healthcare team.
We write health information for people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and identities. We understand that, although we use the term 'women' in an inclusive way, people who read our information may not identify as women.
© Jean Hailes for Women’s Health 2023
Jean Hailes for Women’s Health gratefully acknowledges the support of the Australian Government.
