Nutrition Blog | OnPoint Nutrition

How a Dietitian Can Help You Manage PCOS: Our Approach | OnPoint Nutrition

Written by Abby Aikens | Dec 7, 2022 5:00:00 PM

Since each person uniquely experiences PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), tailoring a treatment plan to their specific symptoms is essential. 

 

We can help with that! 

 

Hundreds of people have benefited from OnPoint's PCOS treatment strategy, which is supported by the most recent research and has helped them achieve their health and well-being objectives.

 

At OnPoint Nutrition, we have helped more than 3,000 unique clients who want to manage their chronic illnesses and take back their lives. OnPoint's approach to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) treatment and management is science-based and tailored to each client personally. 

 

We consider diagnosis, diet, routine, and lifestyle to make the best plan for your health journey.

 

Here is the full rundown of how an online dietitian at OnPoint Nutrition can work with you to manage your Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

 

What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?

 

According to The Office of Women's Health, PCOS is an endocrine disorder that causes a hormonal imbalance and metabolism issue. 

 

This syndrome affects about 10% of women of childbearing age, who usually discover the disorder around 20-30 when they try to conceive and cannot.

 

Due to the issues caused in the reproductive system due to the hormonal imbalance, infertility is usually a common consequence. This, however, is treatable with the proper lifestyle changes to facilitate weight loss and healthy eating habits. 

 

Some warning signs and symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome include:

 

  • Irregular menstrual cycle–frequent, absent, or fewer periods (less than eight in a year). 
  • Hirsutism, or too much hair on the face, chin, or body parts, where men usually have hair. 
  • Acne (face, chest, and upper back)
  • Thinning hair or hair loss on the scalp; male-pattern baldness
  • Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
  • Darkening of the skin (neck creases, in the groin, and underneath breasts)
  • Skin tags (armpits or neck area)

There is no test to see if you have PCOS or not. 

 

Still, your doctor will usually perform an exam to identify the usual symptoms present in someone who suffers from PCOS and then eliminate the other possible causes of your symptoms. 

 

Once it can be determined that other causes of these symptoms are not present, you may be diagnosed with PCOS if you have at least two of the following symptoms:

 

  • Irregular periods, including periods that come too often, not often enough, or not at all
  • Signs that you have high levels of androgens:
    • Extra hair growth on your face, chin, and body (hirsutism)
    • Acne
    • Thinning of scalp hair
    • Blood tests indicating high levels of androgens
  • Multiple cysts on one or both ovaries

How Can An Online Dietitian Help With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?

 

To assist you in living a more satisfying and healthy life while dealing with polycystic ovary syndrome, a well-trained nutrition coach will consider every facet of your situation.

 

Once diagnosed with PCOS, you have a choice: Do I take charge of my nutrition and lifestyle and defeat this disease? Or do I take the chance of it causing more health issues?

 

Since there are no obvious outward symptoms of PCOS, many women feel forgotten and unseen with their PCOS diagnosis. 

 

Silently suffering, they traverse life just getting by–not truly living their best.

 

But you don't have to let your diagnosis rule your life. 

 

The team at OnPoint Nutrition takes a systematic approach to excellent nutrition counseling.

 

We believe that diet and lifestyle significantly impact health and wellness. To get you started on the road to better health, our team of qualified professionals is here and ready to assist you.

 

At OnPoint nutrition we take general 3 steps in your program to manage your chronic illness.

 

Step 1: Assessment

 

As was previously said, PCOS presents itself differently in each individual, and its root reasons remain unknown.

 

This implies that the PCOS diet needs to be individualized for each person. This is why having a personalized nutrition program with one-to-one support comes in handy.

 

OnPoint Nutrition founder Britney Kennedy weighs in on the importance of diet and lifestyle for managing PCOS:

 

Research suggests lifestyle change is the first treatment line for women dealing with PCOS. Women who achieve a weight loss of as little as 5-10% of their body weight experience a significant improvement in ovulation rates. To do this, we must first work to identify areas of your diet that we can improve.

 

The Basics of a PCOS Diet:

 

  • Eat a balanced diet
  • Choose high-quality, high-fiber carbohydrates
  • Follow a consistent routine with regular meal times
  • Choose nutrient-rich foods high in vitamins and minerals

 

Making these simple changes and implementing them into your daily routine will begin your journey to finally feeling like you are in tune with your body again.

 

Step 2: Program Personalization

 

Maintaining a balanced diet and healthy weight is vital in managing PCOS symptoms.  

 

With the symptoms and severity being dynamic, a personalized online program with your dietitian can be the difference between making progress toward your health goals or submitting to whatever this disease has in store for you. 

 

Your nutritionist or dietitian will produce materials tailored to your dietary requirements.

 

We'll help you improve your diet and control your PCOS symptoms by outlining weekly goals and providing you with meal-planning instructions during your program.

 

When it comes to PCOS, our team focuses on a few different diet and lifestyle improvements. 

 

Britney Kennedy outlines how some of these dietary changes might look:

 

  1. Weight loss as needed: One of the biggest things you can do to manage your PCOS is to lose weight where applicable. Your nutritionist or dietitian will calculate your energy and macronutrient needs to help you lose weight if needed. You will work together in your sessions to set goals centered around sustainable lifestyle changes. You will discuss food choices, nutritional needs, and navigating life schedules and events. 

 

  1. Distribution and quality of carbohydrate-containing foods: With PCOS, distribution, as well as quality, of carbohydrate-containing foods is more important than eliminating them altogether. Your nutritionist or dietitian will monitor you to ensure you're including high-quality carbohydrates and spreading your servings throughout the day. This ensures your blood sugar is not skyrocketing or dipping too low at meal or snack time. 

 

  1. Inclusion of nutrient-rich food high in vitamins and minerals: Studies show consuming foods high in Vitamin D, Vitamin B, Iodine, Selenium, and Magnesium will significantly aid in improving insulin resistance and decrease the severity of symptoms associated with PCOS.

 

  1. Navigating social events and lifestyle changes: Managing a condition can be challenging when social events or life get in the way. Your nutritionist or dietitian will help you plan and prepare for these circumstances and stay on track through life's wrenches! 

 

In addition to dietary changes, healthy activity levels can change the course of your disease by increasing your energy levels, regulating your metabolism, and improving your mental focus.

 

Nicole Gonglik, MS, RD, LDN, says: 

 

"Adding in movement that works for you" - The best exercise for you is one you can see yourself doing consistently. Whether walking, yoga, or weight training, pick something you can see yourself doing regularly! Consistent movement helps to balance out hormones and improve insulin sensitivity- both are incredibly important to help manage PCOS symptoms!

 

We know heavy exercise routines aren't for everyone. The goal is to find movement that you can do, that you enjoy, and that fits into your routine so you can maintain it.

 

Step 3: Monitor outcomes

Research suggests sustainable dietary changes are the best way to achieve long-term results. 

 

We will help you improve your diet and control your PCOS symptoms by providing you with weekly goals and meal plans during your program.

 

Your online dietitian will be on the lookout for changes in symptoms over time and any potential ways to increase victories in your health journey. 

 

Our team of experts is always following current studies and adjusting our approach with verified changes in medical research. 

 

We can use these metrics to inform your plan's development. From there, we use our knowledge to tailor your program to something that works to improve your life and bring you to a place of better health.

 

Client Success With PCOS

 

Want to hear about a client who successfully learned to manage their PCOS by working with our team? 

 

Check out Chelsea's PCOS weight loss health journey!

 

"After I was diagnosed with PCOS, trying to figure out a healthy diet was frustrating."-Chelsea F.

 

 

Taking the Next Step

 

NO ONE wants to suffer through the motions of a chronic illness like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

 

It would help if you understood the significance of hiring a personal nutrition coach and how a program like OnPoint's can turn your life around in the best way. 

 

It is ultimately up to you to take an active role in your health journey.

 

PCOS symptoms do not have to lurk in the corners of your mentality and disrupt your life anymore.

 

Getting in touch with a trained expert, such as OnPoint Nutrition's team of registered dietitians available online, can help you live a healthier and more fulfilling life.

 

Our team can confidently ask, "What are you waiting for?" since we have helped hundreds of people with chronic illnesses overcome their conditions and reach their goals.

 

Let's make you the next one to take charge of your life.