ideal carb intake for people with PCOS?

[dbsam]

Does anyone know the ideal carb intake for people with PCOS?

While pregnant I had GD and the endo had me monitor carbs to control sugar levels. I cannot remember the carb #’s but think it was 45 for each of three meals and 25 for a snack. I felt great pregnant and actually lost weight.

[Violet2]

That carb level sounds rather high to me and more ADA style eating, which I think is based on poor science as a general rule. Certainly not based on PCOS!

If you want to lose weight, cut your total carbs for the entire day to about 50 or lower.

If you want to maintain try to stay around 100-150 carbs total for the day on a consistent basis.

PCOS is a spectrum so you may be able to tolerate more or less carbs than someone else. You'll have to experiment to see what is ideal for you.

V

[Drummer's Wife]

I agree that seems like a lot of carbs - even if most are complex carbs. I don't know how they impact PCOS, but if weight loss or even maintenance is a goal of yours, I'd keep them really low. The only carbs I am currently eating are those in fruits and vegetables - and even then I am staying away from high carb ones such as potatoes, carrots, etc. b/c I am trying to lose a few more pounds.

[dbsam]

Thanks for the responses.

It may have been high since I was pregnant with twins at the time. I assumed it w/b lower now, but I wasn't sure how low I should go. Wow...50 is low. I think I'll need to reserve the carbs for fruits and veggies and give up the beans, bread, pasta, etc. (Which is a little difficult - especially the beans - since I am vegetarian.)

[physmom]

FWIW, beans are soooo good for you, you shouldn't give them up! At least on the S. Beach diet you're able to eat as many veggies (ok, certain veggies that is)/beans that you want but just limit your fruit some (and pick choices that don't have a high carb number).

[dbsam]

Originally Posted by physmom

FWIW, beans are soooo good for you, you shouldn't give them up! At least on the S. Beach diet you're able to eat as many veggies (ok, certain veggies that is)/beans that you want but just limit your fruit some (and pick choices that don't have a high carb number).

yes...I was thinking my diet over last night and realized I couldn't give up beans. I won't pair them with other carbs. (I don't eat much bread or pasta anyway so I won't really miss those items.) I remember when I was pregnant and counting carbs that some fruit was higher than I expected - like watermelon.