Do thin cysters have to be as strict w/diet as overweight cysters?

isabellettc · 02-12-2008, 10:16 PM

Hi there,

I'm a thin cyster and I've never had to watch what I eat until all this ttc business!! I'm on 1500mg. met er but it isn't curbing my sugar cravings and I have NO will power when it comes to food!! My question is this:

Does anyone know if thin cysters need to be as careful with eating sugars, etc. as the overweight cysters? I'm talking about ttc here, not just in general. I hope I'm not ruining my chances at getting pregnant again just because I love sugar!!

thanks for any input

AHoff01 · 02-13-2008, 11:04 AM

I have had that question also. Everything I've read says that the GI Diet is great in general, regardless of PCOS and TTC, etc. I don't think it could hurt you. I have a really bad sweet tooth, and I think an even worse carb tooth! =) I love potatoes!! The problem that I've had being on Met also is that I feel like CRAP after I eat bad, but it's not really enough to stop me from eating that way!

Anyway, I'm pretty sure that most of the fertility books that I have read (regardless of whether people are having trouble or not) have recommended the low sugar, good carb, high fiber (basically the GI diet) diet as a way to help your body get ready to TTC and get healthy in general. It's very difficult though and I can relate. I think if I had someone flat out tell me that it would increase my chances when we start TTC, then I think that would give me more motivation, but I haven't seen that stat yet....who knows, maybe it's out there and I haven't come across it yet!

isabellettc · 02-13-2008, 02:50 PM

Thanks Ahoff

You sound just like me with the eating thing!!! I feel the same about a concrete answer, until someone tells me there is proof that thin cysters need to be strict with their sugars in order to get pregnant, I won't do it! Good luck to you!!

Well, at least I'm not completely alone in this

sheepiegirl · 02-13-2008, 04:22 PM

I would imagine the less sugar/bad carbs the better, just because that seems to be the case for a healthier diet in general. I don't think you'd need to cut out all sugar or potatoes or whatever from your diet, just make sure to eat an overall healthy diet.

TrishainAZ · 02-13-2008, 11:38 PM

Well, I went VERY strict with my first since i was so desperate and not so strict with my second since I was still nursing and not so rushed to get pregnant again and somewhere in the middle for my third. It took me EXACTLY the same amount of time to get pregnant after starting the met all three times. Whatever month I started met was the month I gave birth the following year. Soooo, for me, I'd say it didn't make much difference, but I can't say the same is true for everyone.

isabellettc · 02-14-2008, 09:52 PM

Thanks Trishain and Sheepiegirl

Thats crazy how well met works for you Trishain, but wonderful!

Natalie'smom06 · 02-25-2008, 02:57 PM

I sure didn't change my diet either when on Met and TTC!! It didn't seem to matter... as I got PG 1st month on Met.

wudluvakid · 03-03-2008, 02:01 PM

I haven't heard anything concrete... but my RE said to try the diet and exercise 1st before meds. I have a horrible sweet tooth...I don't care what it is...so long as it's sweet and preferably chocolate! After every lunch and dinner I want something sweet...and snacks too! I don't know how I'm going to cuz down. If I knew it was something directly related to TTC I would have to try harder...but I hate to think that I may be doing something that is directly causing my IF.

ladynred1920 · 03-06-2008, 06:35 PM

I had often wondered the same thing. Although I do not exercise as much as I probably should, but I know I can't give up my potatoes! I am not really big on candy. The only time I ever crave it is when I am having a seriously heavy day (cycle).

Thanks for the info guys.

SuzSc · 03-18-2008, 04:15 AM

Hi Guys,

I've never had to watch what I eat either until ttc. I can't do low GI. I prefer staying away from bread, rice, pastries, lollies etc (when possible...it's hard!) cause I avoid getting my pcos pot belly!

My specialist says that eating too many carbs/calories in one day can put my cycle off for weeks. It delays everything. He said generally I should stick to a low gi diet but whilst ttc I should be super strict. Easier said than done!

Suz

klayman · 03-25-2008, 10:04 PM

Does anyone know what the best place to go to find the low GI diet? Has anyone tried Nutra System ?

pikachu · 03-26-2008, 09:40 PM

I probably have a very unique reaction, but I notice a huge difference when I go strictly on low carb (Atkins or Keto style).

My PCOS causes horrible hair loss, which I couldn’t help with medication (bcp or spironaldactone). I was trying to low carb last summer, just because I heard it was god for PCOSers, and within 2 or 3 weeks of being really strict I noticed my hair stopped falling out. When I would eat carbs again (i.e. on vacations) my hair would start falling out in gobs within 3 or 4 days! It’s crazy.

I should add, I have tried many times before to go low carb, and would always have wicked cravings and it would totally zap my energy. I just figured I was someone that wasn’t meant to live without carbs. But once I really put my mind to it, and got through the first week or two, my body felt totally normal again - I don’t even lose weight on it. Although… I do wonder if I’d be able to stick to this program if I wasn’t terrified of losing my hair!

Also, I’m not advocating low carb… I actually feel it’s healthier to eat a balanced diet that includes good carbs. But, it might be worth a try if you have symptoms that aren’t helped by medication!

klayman · 03-27-2008, 03:26 PM

Thank you for your help. I was just diagnosed and I am in normal weight range for my height. I am assuming that I have a pretty mild form since I have a little acne and really no other physical manifestation other than multiple cysts in my ovaries. They want to pump me full of medication so I can try to conceive and my ob told me that losing weight would really not help my chances. I have read that it isn't necessarily weight but how it is distributed that effect the body. I am going to try to get in good shape, cut carbs and do acupuncture/herbal treatment to see if that helps before they start pumping me full of meds. I am doing more of the healthy carbs thing too. I hope this works.

isabellettc · 03-27-2008, 04:00 PM

Looks like this is a confusing subject to us all! Even the health care professionals don't seem to know. Like I said, until someone can tell me it WILL make a difference for me I can't control myself. I have tried and I can't even go 1 day without carbs, sugar, etc. I do eat healthy meals but then I just can't help but snack on the wrong things. I'm on month 10 of ttc #2 so you'd think that would be motivation enough but I guess I just don't have will power because I love food!

Thanks to everyone for the advice and hopefully people will keep adding any new info they are told or have read.

Suz- I think its so cute that you said "lollies"!! Does that mean candy or do you really like lollipops that much??

redbirdie · 04-03-2008, 06:35 PM

I was told to aviod any "white" carbs such as white bread, rice, french fries, etc. When I got pregnant, I was told to add some back in, as your body needs them to support pregnancy. I am TTC#2, so I am back to watching what I am eating... but I have the same problem... I love sugar!