Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Nutritionists and Dietitians in San Luis Obispo County, CA
I specialize in diabetes, including gestational diabetes, PCOS, and eating disorders.
Have you tried diets but can’t stick to them? Do you lose weight then regain it? Do you feel guilty about eating foods you love? Does exercise seem like punishment? Make peace with food and your body. NO MORE wasting your precious time and energy obsessing about what to eat. NO MORE restricting, bingeing and feeling out of control around food. NO MORE beating yourself up for every. single. thing. you. eat. You can experience a peaceful, pleasurable relationship with food and your body. You deserve to know who you are outside of dieting and hating your body, and to live a liberated life that feels good to you!
I specialize in diabetes, including gestational diabetes, PCOS, and eating disorders.
Have you tried diets but can’t stick to them? Do you lose weight then regain it? Do you feel guilty about eating foods you love? Does exercise seem like punishment? Make peace with food and your body. NO MORE wasting your precious time and energy obsessing about what to eat. NO MORE restricting, bingeing and feeling out of control around food. NO MORE beating yourself up for every. single. thing. you. eat. You can experience a peaceful, pleasurable relationship with food and your body. You deserve to know who you are outside of dieting and hating your body, and to live a liberated life that feels good to you!
Clients who seek to work with Amy have often pursued other avenues of nutrition management, including diets and traditional meal plans, as a means to meet their goals. Frequently, Amy provides a more in-depth examination of external tools, and encourages clients to inquire within and challenge themselves to view their food and their relationship with the body and self differently. In our current health climate, Amy also sees a number of clients who seek to address gastrointestinal conditions and autoimmune issues like MCAS, POTS, and EDS, that interfere with feeding themselves and promote or encourage disordered eating.
Clients who seek to work with Amy have often pursued other avenues of nutrition management, including diets and traditional meal plans, as a means to meet their goals. Frequently, Amy provides a more in-depth examination of external tools, and encourages clients to inquire within and challenge themselves to view their food and their relationship with the body and self differently. In our current health climate, Amy also sees a number of clients who seek to address gastrointestinal conditions and autoimmune issues like MCAS, POTS, and EDS, that interfere with feeding themselves and promote or encourage disordered eating.
It can be incredibly frustrating and discouraging to feel trapped in cycles of dieting, body image struggles, and emotional eating. Many of us have been taught that health equals restriction and perfection, or that happiness comes from a certain number on the scale, but I firmly believe that the key to lasting well-being lies in honoring your body, trusting its natural cues, and cultivating self-compassion. My true passion lies in helping people to reconnect with their bodies and cultivate a balanced, sustainable relationship with food.
It can be incredibly frustrating and discouraging to feel trapped in cycles of dieting, body image struggles, and emotional eating. Many of us have been taught that health equals restriction and perfection, or that happiness comes from a certain number on the scale, but I firmly believe that the key to lasting well-being lies in honoring your body, trusting its natural cues, and cultivating self-compassion. My true passion lies in helping people to reconnect with their bodies and cultivate a balanced, sustainable relationship with food.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Nutritionists and Dietitians
What is Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)?
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a condition characterized by hormonal imbalance, leading to symptoms such as irregular or absent periods, weight gain, excess hair growth, infertility, and acne. The exact causes of PCOS are not well understood, but it is believed to result from a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors, including stress and nutrition.
How is PCOS treated?
PCOS is typically treated with a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. Many individuals with PCOS are prescribed birth control medication to help regulate the abnormal hormone levels associated with the condition. With regard to lifestyle modifications, healthcare professionals often recommend maintaining a balanced, healthy diet and engaging in regular physical activity. This is particularly important for women diagnosed with obesity or diabetes, as weight loss and improved insulin regulation can significantly alleviate PCOS symptoms.
What diet is best for people with PCOS?
In general, experts recommend a plant-based diet high in fiber, healthy fats, and lean protein as the best nutritional approach to managing PCOS. Because women diagnosed with PCOS are at a higher risk of specific conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart problems, a diet that helps prevent such conditions can be highly effective. The "Mediterranean diet," characterized by the consumption of lots of healthy fats, vegetables, beans, and whole grains is one common diet with evidence supporting its efficacy in preventing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. In addition, other lifestyle modifications that support weight management and healthy insulin levels—such as exercise, smoking cessation, and alcohol consumption reduction—are often also incorporated into PCOS treatment.
What foods should people with PCOS avoid?
Due to the high blood sugar levels and insulin resistance characteristic of PCOS, experts typically advise individuals with PCOS to avoid foods that cause large blood sugar spikes, such as sugary snacks and refined carbs like white bread. Instead, they recommend consuming foods rich in healthy fats, whole grains, and fiber, which can help stabilize blood sugar levels. Individuals with PCOS may also find that certain foods trigger their symptoms. Therefore, identifying and avoiding these specific foods can be important for reducing symptom severity on an individual level.