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Book a session with Anna Gotheil, a registered dietitian specialized in Eating Disorder Recovery, Intuitive Eating, PCOS, Thyroid, Vegetarian and Vegan diets and Wellness. Start your journey towards a healthier you today!
Regain control over your health with personalized nutrition plans and expert guidance from our dedicated PCOS dietitians. Together, you'll create a sustainable and balanced approach to help you manage your symptoms, improve fertility, and enhance your overall well-being.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder that affects women and people with ovaries of reproductive age. Managing PCOS symptoms through nutrition and lifestyle changes can be incredibly empowering, and a dietitian specialized in PCOS can provide valuable guidance and support on this journey.
PCOS is characterized by elevated levels of 'male' hormones (androgens), insulin resistance, and/or the presence of small cysts on the ovaries.
Symptoms of PCOS can include irregular periods, metabolic issues (high insulin, insulin resistance, abnormal cholesterol levels), excessive hair growth, acne, psychological issues (anxiety and lower quality of life) as well as weight gain.
Currently there is no cure for PCOS, management focuses instead on treating the symptoms to improve overall health and quality of life for those affected.
People affected by PCOS can receive support and care from many professionals including a gynecologist, endocrinologist, dermatologist, and specialized dietitian.
Weight loss is a big topic when it comes to managing PCOS, as a change in weight can be both a symptom, as well as (sometimes) a recommended treatment for people living with PCOS.
Because of the impact of weight changes on body image, specialized dietitians also know that many people who are diagnosed with PCOS have a significant history of dieting, and that disordered eating and eating disorder history are also common. They will take this into consideration when meeting with you.
A dietitian specializing in PCOS will take a compassionate approach to your care as they take your medical history, goals, and preferences into account when partnering with you to ensure you receive the best care and support you deserve.
This could include (but is not limited to!) support with regaining regular menstrual function, reducing androgen and insulin levels in the blood, improving acne, reducing the risk of long-term complications, and helping you to achieve your biologically appropriate weight.
With a focus on food habits and regular, safe, and enjoyable physical activity, a PCOS dietitian can assist people living with PCOS manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-being.
A dietitian specializing in management of PCOS can help you by developing an individualized eating plan that focuses on nutrient-dense foods, such as lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nutritious fats.
Some clients may prefer working on one behaviour change at a time to build sustainable habit changes, so care may include educations and goal-setting around:
specific recommended foods and food combinations
increasing or decreasing certain foods or macronutrients to help regulate insulin levels
focusing on appropriate meal timing and/or portion sizes
Whichever way of working suits you best, your PCOS dietitian will be there to guide you on your journey to food peace with PCOS.
In addition to nutrition, a PCOS dietitian may also recommend other lifestyle changes to support overall health. This can include stress reduction techniques, regular exercise, support groups and adequate sleep.
By addressing these factors (and more), people with PCOS can improve their hormonal balance and overall well-being.
Finding a qualified PCOS dietitian can make a world of difference if you are seeking expert guidance on managing this condition. Look for a registered dietitian or nutritionist with experience in PCOS and hormonal health.
In conclusion, a dietitian with expertise in PCOS plays a vital role in helping women manage their symptoms through personalized nutrition and lifestyle advice. PCOS is a complex condition affecting many different parts of the body. Those affected deserve the best care and to feel empowered to make changes that support their health, well-being, and quality of life.
Individuals report feeling more confident in their food choices after working with a registered dietitian.
4 out of 5 Canadian adults possess a chronic disease risk factor, such as smoking, inactivity, poor diet, or alcohol misuse.
2.7M Canadians with diabetes benefit more from dietitian-led interventions than non-dietitian ones, as evidenced by lower A1C levels.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder that primarily affects women of reproductive age. This condition is characterized by high levels of androgens (male hormones), insulin resistance, and the formation of small cysts on the ovaries.
Symptoms of PCOS can vary, but may include irregular menstrual cycles, excessive body or facial hair growth, acne, weight gain, and difficulties with fertility. Although the exact cause of PCOS is unknown, it's believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
A PCOS dietitian is a registered dietitian or nutritionist who specializes in providing personalized nutrition and lifestyle advice to women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
They help develop individualized eating plans and recommend lifestyle changes to manage PCOS symptoms and improve overall health.
Dietitians often have a flexible approach that allows them to meet you where you are, by providing support, resources, education and/or a personalized meal plans to help manage the different symptoms that accompany a PCOS diagnosis.
Dietitians specialized in PCOS can also provide guidance on lifestyle changes such as regular, safe, and enjoyable exercise, stress reduction, and adequate sleep to support overall hormonal balance and well-being.
Weight loss is sometimes recommended by healthcare providers to help reduce insulin resistance, balance hormone levels, and alleviate PCOS symptoms. If weight is a concern, or if weight loss has been identified as a medically-appropriate goal, talk to your dietitian about what strategies could be implemented to help you reach and maintain a healthy weight for you.
It is worth noting that dietetic practice in general is shifting away from a weight-centric view to a more weight-inclusive practice.
There is no one-size-fits-all diet for women with PCOS and an individualized lifestyle plan is recommended as a first-line strategy in the management of PCOS.
There is limited, yet supportive evidence for the benefits of several dietary patterns for PCOS including low carbohydrate dietary patterns, low glycemic index and/or glycemic load dietary pattern, high monounsaturated fat diets, high protein dietary patterns, and the DASH diet. A dietitian specialized in PCOS can help you understand and navigate the different recommendations and ultimately create an individualized nutrition care plan specifically for you.
Finally, dietitians specializing in PCOS are uniquely-placed to make recommendations about specific micronutrients and supplementation. They can answer your questions and help you decide next steps regarding Vitamin D, Selenium, Omega-3s, Soy, Prebiotics and Probiotics, Cinnamon, Inositols and more!
To find a qualified PCOS dietitian, you can search online directories or platforms that list certified professionals, including right here on Online Nutrition.
Be sure to check their credentials and experience to ensure that you are working with a reputable and knowledgeable professional.
The frequency of consultations with a PCOS dietitian will vary depending on your specific needs and goals. Initially, you can expect more frequent consultations as you develop and implement your personalized nutrition plan.
As you progress and become more confident in managing your symptoms, the consultations may become less frequent.
Most clients find that maintaining ongoing communication with their dietitian over the first several months leads to the best results, as they benefit from ongoing support and guidance.
While a dietitian specialized in PCOS can not and does not directly treat fertility issues, they can play an important role as part of the treatment team to help you manage your PCOS symptoms through personalized nutrition and lifestyle advice.
Improved hormonal balance and overall health can be an outcome of appropriate nutrition interventions that can potentially increase your chances of conception.
We recommended you consult directly with a fertility specialist for specific fertility treatments and guidance.
In Canada, there is sometimes a difference between the terms Dietitian and nutritionist. While both titles can be use interchangeably in some provinces, this is not the case in others.
The title ‘Dietitian’ is protected by law across Canada in every province. The term ‘nutritionist’ however, is only a protected title in Alberta, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
Only nutrition professionals who are regulated and have protected titles have a legal scope of practice which includes: providing individualized nutrition counselling, medical nutrition therapy, and nutrition education to individuals with specific health concerns.
That said, while the term "nutritionist" is sometimes used on this website, it is important to note that we only work with licensed Registered Dietitians in good standing with their provincial regulatory bodies. That means you can be assured that all of our partners providing nutrition counselling meet the education and ethical standards set by all of the provincial regulatory bodies across Canada.
We strongly recommend that you consult with a Registered Dietitian (or other recognized healthcare professional such as a doctor) when you are considering making any significant dietary changes.
Rest assured that on Online Nutrition, every nutrition professional is vetted to confirm they are a Registered Dietitian in good standing with their provincial regulatory body.
It was so easy to find and meet with my dietitian. After just two sessions I am already feeling such a huge difference in my energy, mood and performance in the gym. Thank you Online Nutrition!