PCOS Nutritionist Blog

When women with PCOS try to improve their nutrition, fibre is often overlooked. Most conversations online focus on: cutting carbohydrates avoiding sugar fasting or following restrictive food rules. But one of the most supportive nutrients for PCOS may actually be: fibre. Fibre plays an important role in: blood sugar balance appetite regulation digestion gut health fullness after meals and overall metabolic health. Many women with PCOS are not eating enough fibre consistently,

If you have PCOS and constantly feel exhausted, struggle with evening cravings or feel stuck in cycles of “starting again tomorrow”, poor sleep may be playing a much bigger role than you realise. Many women with PCOS focus heavily on: what to eat supplements exercise routines weight loss strategies But sleep is often the missing piece. And not just because it affects energy. Poor sleep can influence: appetite regulation cravings blood sugar balance stress hormones emotional e

If you feel constantly tired, rely on caffeine to get through the day, or find yourself craving sugar by mid-afternoon, you’re in the right place. Many women with PCOS symptoms feel like their energy is unpredictable, and frustratingly low, despite trying to eat well and “do the right things”. This isn’t just about being busy or stressed. In PCOS, fatigue is often linked to how your body produces and uses energy, and that process relies heavily on having the right nutrients a

Why sugar cravings with PCOS feel so hard to control Have you ever found yourself thinking, “I just need more willpower around sugar…” This is one of the most common things women say when they’re struggling with PCOS. Cravings can feel intense, persistent, and frustrating, especially when they seem to undo a full day of “eating well”. But in most cases, cravings are not about a lack of discipline. They’re a biological response. And once you understand what’s driving them, the

“I’m eating well… so why do I still feel stuck?” This is something I hear often. You’re trying to make better choices. You’re being more mindful with food. You might even be following what you’ve been told is a “healthy diet”. But you’re still dealing with symptoms like: Ongoing sugar cravings Energy dips throughout the day Stubborn weight gain that isn’t shifting Feeling like your body isn’t responding the way it should It can feel frustrating and confusing. Especially when

If you have PCOS and constantly feel exhausted, flat or mentally drained, it can be easy to assume: you simply need more motivation. But for many women with PCOS, fatigue runs much deeper than that. You may recognise patterns like: waking up tired even after sleeping relying on caffeine to function struggling with afternoon energy crashes feeling overwhelmed by simple food decisions craving sugar or quick energy foods feeling too exhausted to cook or exercise constantly promi

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

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’re living with PCOS, you’ve likely heard the term “inflammation” more than once, and for good reason. Chronic low-grade...

If you’ve been told to just “eat less and move more” for PCOS weight loss , you're not getting the full picture. PCOS affects multiple...

If you’re dealing with stubborn weight gain, painful periods, fatigue, or sugar cravings that never seem to go away, it could be more...

If you’ve ever felt bloated, sluggish or uncomfortable after eating certain foods, you might have wondered whether you have a food...

If you’ve been working hard to improve your diet, manage stress and get better sleep but your PCOS hormones still feel out of sync, it...