Are you feeling overwhelmed by the cravings that come with PCOS? You aren’t alone. Studies show that many women with PCOS have much stronger desires for food than those who don’t suffer from this disorder, often causing binge and emotional eating patterns. But there is hope! Taking control of your cravings doesn’t have to be an impossible task, even as a woman trying to conceive or adjusting her diet to manage her hormone imbalances. In this blog post, we will provide practical tips on how you can take charge when controlling your cravings and still achieve your fertility goals in the process!

Introduction to PCOS and Cravings

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that affects up to 10-20% of women of childbearing age. It is characterised by irregular or absent menstrual cycles, infertility, cysts on the ovaries, hormonal imbalances, and the presence of abnormal levels of male hormones. PCOS can also cause metabolic changes including insulin resistance, which can lead to obesity, elevated cholesterol levels, and an increased risk for type 2 diabetes.

One of the most common symptoms of PCOS is cravings. Women with PCOS often have intense cravings for unhealthy foods high in sugar and fat, as well as frequent hunger pangs. This can make it difficult to stick to a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight. Controlling cravings is an important part of achieving fertility goals, as it could affect our physical and mental health at the same level.

Why Women with PCOS Experience Stronger Cravings

Hormonal Imbalance

While many women without PCOS occasionally give in to these types of cravings, those with PCOS often struggle to resist them or find themselves unable to moderate their consumption. This is because the underlying hormonal imbalance associated with PCOS can disrupt normal hunger and satiety signals—the hormones responsible for helping control how much a person eats. As a result, women with PCOS may experience an increase in appetite that leads to more frequent and intense food cravings.

PCOS can also be associated with insulin resistance, which is when the body doesn’t respond properly to the hormone insulin. In addition to causing weight gain, this can lead to low levels of blood sugar and cause cravings for sweet and starchy foods such as cookies and cakes.

The combination of increased appetite and insulin resistance can make it especially difficult for women with PCOS to control their eating habits, leading to further weight gain. This can be a vicious cycle—increased weight gain often worsens the symptoms of PCOS, leading to even more hormonal imbalances that cause additional cravings.

Stress and Anxiety

In addition to hormone-related cravings, other psychological factors such as stress and anxiety may play a role in food cravings for people with PCOS. Stress triggers the release of certain hormones that contribute to hunger sensations and influence food cravings. Some studies suggest that stress-induced eating leads women with PCOS to seek out more energy-dense nutrient-poor foods rather than nutrient-dense whole foods like fruits and vegetables due to their higher calorie content.

Practical Tips for Taking Control of Cravings

Identify the WHY

Cravings can be difficult to manage, but by following some practical tips, you can take control of them.
Start by identifying the triggers that lead to your cravings. Are they related to stress, emotions, or environmental factors? Once you have identified the triggers, try to reduce or eliminate them. For instance, if certain types of foods are triggering your cravings, avoid having them in your house.

2. Small and Frequent Meals

Eating regular meals throughout the day that include lean proteins, high-fiber carbohydrates, and healthy fats can help keep blood sugar levels stable throughout the day and help reduce food cravings.
Try to eat every 2-3 hours with something planned ahead to eat, so you don’t need to worry about what to grab on.
When cravings hit, it is important to have healthy snacks on hand so you are not tempted to eat unhealthy fast food or processed snacks that can derail fertility goals. For example, choose a protein bar with minimal amount of added sugars or opt for a handful of almonds or other nuts instead of eating a cookie or donut from the vending machine.

3. Mental Health Activity

Finding ways to manage stress is also important when it comes to curbing cravings; taking a walk or practicing yoga are two activities that can help reduce stress levels as well as break up snacking patterns caused by anxiety.
Implement healthy coping mechanisms such as deep breathing exercises or mindfulness activities when faced with a craving so that you can stay in control and not give in. By taking these steps, you'll be able to manage your cravings and ultimately gain more control over your eating habits.

4. Sleep is KEY

Focusing on getting adequate amounts of sleep each night is important since poor sleep has been linked to a greater risk of obesity in people with PCOS due to its effects on hormones such as leptin—the hormone responsible for regulating hunger and fullness signals in the body.
Make sure to get enough sleep each night and maintain an exercise routine as these activities have been proven to help regulate hormones and reduce cravings.

What’s the next step?

Making small changes over time will lead to healthier eating habits overall which will help maximise fertility potential – ultimately leading to success in achieving family planning goals.

It’s not easy to deal with PCOS and cravings. However, it is possible to control them with the right tools and support system. If you want to learn more about how to take control of your cravings, read our other blog post here. Taking control of your cravings can help increase fertility and improve your overall health.

Check out the PCOS Remedy Bootcamp to find out your root problems and get a tailored plan to tackle PCOS!

PCOS Remedy Bootcamp