PCOS Nutritionist Blog

Many women with PCOS reach a point where they feel like they have tried everything. Often this includes cycles of: cutting out food groups reducing carbohydrates avoiding dairy tracking calories or macros intermittent fasting or constantly restarting “healthy eating” plans. While these approaches may feel productive in the short term, over time they can unintentionally lead to a different issue: not eating enough of the nutrients your body needs consistently This doesn’t mean

Many women with PCOS struggle with symptoms that seem disconnected at first: bloating cravings fatigue digestive discomfort low energy skin flare-ups irregular appetite patterns But increasingly, research suggests that gut health may play a wider role in overall hormone and metabolic health. This does not mean gut health is the “cause” of PCOS. And it certainly does not mean you need to follow extreme gut-healing protocols. But the gut does influence several systems involved

If you have PCOS and often feel: starving by late afternoon desperate for sugar after work constantly reaching for snacks exhausted between meals out of control around food in the evenings the issue may not be that you are snacking. In many cases, the body may actually be asking for: more consistent energy and nourishment throughout the day. Many women with PCOS have been taught that snacking is “bad” or something to avoid when trying to lose weight. But for some women, strat

Bloating and digestive symptoms are extremely common in women with PCOS. You may notice: ongoing bloating after meals discomfort that doesn’t fully improve with “healthy eating” alternating constipation or loose stools feeling swollen or distended by the end of the day food sensitivities that seem to come and go or digestive symptoms alongside fatigue and cravings For many women, this leads to the question: is something deeper going on with my gut? Sometimes the answer is sim

If you have PCOS and also experience bladder discomfort, urinary urgency or ongoing pelvic irritation, it can feel confusing trying to understand whether everything is connected or separate. Some women notice symptoms such as: frequent urge to urinate bladder discomfort even when tests are normal pelvic pain or pressure symptoms that flare with stress or hormonal changes discomfort that seems to come and go without a clear pattern When these symptoms sit alongside PCOS, it is

If you have PCOS, you have probably searched: “best supplements for PCOS” “natural support for hormones” “supplements for cravings” or “vitamins for PCOS fatigue”. The amount of supplement advice online can feel overwhelming. Many women end up: spending hundreds of pounds on supplements taking large supplement “stacks” trying influencer recommendations or constantly switching products without knowing what is actually helping. Supplements can sometimes play a supportive role i

If you’ve been avoiding fat to manage your weight, this could be holding you back Many women with PCOS have been told some version of: “Eat low fat” “Cut calories” “Avoid high-fat foods” So it’s no surprise that fats are often the first thing to go. But here’s what I see in practice, and what research supports: When fat intake is too low (or poor quality), it can actually make symptoms like: Cravings Energy dips Hormonal imbalance Weight struggles harder to manage. Healthy fa

If you feel constantly inflamed with PCOS, your diet may be playing a bigger role than you think If you’re dealing with PCOS, inflammation is often part of the picture, even if it hasn’t been clearly explained to you. You might notice: Persistent fatigue Skin flare-ups or acne Bloating or digestive discomfort Stubborn weight gain that doesn’t respond to dieting Irregular cycles Many women I work with feel like their body is “working against them”, despite trying to eat well.

Many women with PCOS struggle with symptoms that seem to affect multiple areas of the body at once. You may experience: bloating after meals fatigue and low energy cravings and appetite changes digestive discomfort irregular bowel habits skin flare-ups feeling puffy or inflamed or symptoms that worsen during stressful periods. At first, these symptoms can feel completely unrelated. But increasingly, research suggests that gut health may influence several systems involved in P

Bloating is one of the most frustrating symptoms many women with PCOS experience. You may feel: uncomfortable after meals swollen by the evening puffy around the stomach or as though your body changes throughout the day. Some women describe: looking noticeably more bloated at night feeling uncomfortable in clothes struggling with digestive discomfort or feeling inflamed and sluggish overall. Bloating can feel confusing because there is rarely one single cause. With PCOS, bloa

If you have PCOS, it can feel like every week there is a new diet being recommended online. One day it is: low carb keto fasting cutting out dairy avoiding gluten or removing entire food groups For many women, this becomes exhausting. You try to “be good”, follow strict food rules, then life gets busy, energy drops, cravings increase and everything feels difficult to maintain. This is one reason more women with PCOS are becoming interested in a Mediterranean-style approach to

Eating the Right Amount for PCOS – Key Points Portion sizes vary by activity, weight, and cycle phase. Focus on balanced meals: protein, fibre, healthy fats. Watch hunger, energy, and blood sugar cues. Avoid restrictive dieting; aim for sustainable portions. Track meals and symptoms to personalise nutrition. Welcome to Ask Lisa, a monthly Q&A series where I answer real questions from women navigating PCOS in everyday life. These are the kinds of questions that come up in cons

PCOS and Pregnancy Planning – Key Points Nutrition and lifestyle choices can support hormone balance and ovulation. Focus on stabilising blood sugar, reducing inflammation, and maintaining a healthy weight. Balanced meals with protein, fibre, and healthy fats support fertility. Tracking cycles and symptoms helps identify patterns and optimise timing. Evidence-based strategies can improve chances of conception and overall reproductive health. Thinking About Pregnancy with PCOS

Why Eating Out Feels So Complicated with PCOS If you’ve ever felt anxious or stuck trying to make the “right” food choice at a restaurant, you’re in the right place. Eating out with PCOS can feel like a minefield - especially when you’re trying to manage blood sugar, cravings, weight or inflammation . Many of the women I work with want to eat out occasionally without undoing progress, feeling bloated for days, or spiralling into guilt. The good news is, you don’t need to sti

If you have PCOS and feel stuck eating the same meals over and over again, you're in the right place. Many of the women I work with are...

If you’ve spent more than five minutes scrolling health content on Instagram or TikTok lately, you’ve probably been told you should be...

You’ve seen the reels: “Fix your PCOS in 30 days!” “Just take these 3 supplements!” “Seed cycle your way to better hormones!” It’s...

You’re eating better. You’ve cut back on sugar. You’ve swapped HIIT for Pilates. You’re taking the supplements , tracking your cycle, and...

If you’ve lost motivation with your PCOS changes, this is for you. It’s easy to start strong. A new diagnosis, a flare-up in symptoms, or...

If you're living with PCOS and feel like your body is working against you when it comes to weight, you're not imagining it. Hormones play...