PCOS and pregnant what should be my diet?

[yessenia]

Hi, this is my first post.

I am 25 and 8 weeks pregnant, before my pregnancy I was diagnose with PCOS, but did manage to be pregnant and have a BMI of 22.

I really want to know what can i and cant eat.
Can anyone please give me suggestions as I am very confuse as to what I can eat.
I am excercise regularly (starting to walk around 2KMs a day)

Thanks

[ticklish]

Congratulations on the pregnancy.

Pregnancy is not the time to make radical changes to your diet - PCOS or not.

Given that you have concieved naturally even with PCOS (many women do - I have 3 times!) and have a BMI of 22, I wouldn't think you need to do anything special except follow a generally healthy diet and take heed of general food safety guidelines for pregnant women.

All the best for the next 32 weeks or so,
TICKLISH

[BellyBelly]

Low GI is great for PCOS - in fact anyone. There is a book on PCOS in our conception section of the online store, pretty sure it covers diet. We also have Francesca Naish's books in stock too. Good luck

[JellyBean]

Hi Yessenia,

I highly recommend you purchase the book 'The Natural Way to a Better Pregnancy' by Francesca Naish & Janette Roberts. Francesca is Australia's most esteemed Natural Fertility Expert and runs the Jocelyn Fertility Clinic. Janette Roberts is a clinical nutritionist. They are very experienced at managing conditions such as PCOS.
I could rave on and on here about diet- but I will be here forever. This book will tell you everything you need to know (and more!) about giving your child the best start to life - starting from the womb! It's brilliant. You can purchase it off the net or contact the Jocelyn Centre where Francesca works (I think you can purchase it from the centre website). From memory its about $39.95
In the meantime - make sure you are off alcohol, caffeine, and other drugs (including pharmaceuticals like painkillers etc), avoid sugary processed foods, carbonated beverages (fizzy drinks), soft cheeses (ie- brie), processed meat (bacon, salami, ham, sausages etc) and refined white carbohydrates (white bread, pasta & rice), and fish that has a high mercury content (see book for more info).

Instead, consume plenty of fresh vegetables and vegetable juices (preferably organic to avoid pesticides which can harm the unborn child), fresh fruit, nuts like almonds, brazil & cashews, seeds that are high in omega fatty acids (pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, linseed etc), lentils, wholegrains (wholegrain or wholemeal bread, wholemeal pasta and rice), pure meats (well cooked chicken, lamb & beef)- preferably organic, to avoid growth hormones & antibiotic residues. Use avocado or tahini instead of butter or marg on bread, and avoid processed sauces like salad dressings- instead opting for 100% extra virgin olive or flaxseed oil. It is also highly recommended that you take probiotics (good digestive bacteria) during pregnancy & breastfeeding. This will increase your absorbtion of nutrients as well as bubs, and decrease the likelihood of bub suffering from colic and other digestive problems. There is a great probiotic supplement called 'In-Liven' which is recommend here on belly belly (from the homepage click on 'articles' and it should be there).

This is just the tip of the iceburg. The book goes into much greater depth about all facets of food and what nutrients are important- and how you can assess if you are deficient in any particular nutrients.

Best of luck to you- and congrats! I wish you a happy & healthy pregnancy!!

[ticklish]

Actually, give this book a try:

Pregnancy Food - Jody Vassallo

Easy to read, about $10 and available in Coles (well, that's where I got mine?)

Easy and yummy recipes.

Yes, low GI is good for anyone not just PCOS - been doing it for years so don't think about it anymore.

TICKLISH