This week Further Food is pleased to spotlight Amy Medling, one of our experts on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). After suffering from PCOS symptoms for years, Amy found a way to heal and treat her symptoms naturally. She became a Certified Health Coach and founded PCOS Diva.com, where her mission is helping women get control of their PCOS symptoms and feel better physically and emotionally.
Are you struggling with PCOS? Whether your goal is to lose weight or get pregnant, Amy has advice for you. She’ll be answering your most pressing questions (for free!) all week long on Further Food. Simply post your questions in the comments section below. We’ve also compiled Amy’s top 12 healthy habits for those with PCOS, her fertility and pregnancy advice, her thoughts on why chocolate can be part of a healthy diet, and much, much more.
Amy Medling’s Tips & Tricks
Amy Medling’s Recipe Picks
Ask Amy! Your Questions About PCOS
“How do I give up dairy?,” “Will I ever get pregnant naturally?” Share your questions with PCOS Diva in the comments below. She’ll be on call to give you advice as well as share her recipes and health hacks from February 16-19.
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I’m also in the same boat. I’m concerned that I’m not going to be able to immediately switch to eating gluten-free. Do you have any advice as to how to do this? I’ve heard that my body is not going to react well to it at first and was hoping for some clarifation..Thanks.
During my 7-day Jumpstart Program we do this cold-turkey style. Women find that they feel so great at the end of the 7 days they don’t want to add the gluten back in. And when they do, their bloating, brain fog, moodiness comes right back.
But if you don’t think you can do it cold-turkey, then begin by “crowding out” gluten from your diet.
My friend, who has been having trouble conceiving, was just advised by her doctor to eat gluten-free. I was wondering what your take was on how to start – do you think she should completely cut out gluten altogether or ease off of it, slowly eliminating it from her diet? Does it matter?
Hi Megan -I think that coming off cold turkey is the way to go. You might direct her to this podcast that I did with Dr. Tom O’Bryan. He talks about the issue of coming off gluten slowly. http://pcosdiva.com/2015/08/gluten-free-it-doesnt-hurt-to-try-expert-interview/
I offer gluten-free Seasonal Meal Plans that make transitioning to a gluten-free lifestyle easy – http://pcosdiva.com/programs/meal-plans/
Your story is so inspiring. Is PCOS hereditary? If so, are you going to do anything preventatively to try to help your daughter avoid getting PCOS-will you have her eat a certain diet?
Yes PCOS is hereditary. Dr. Andrea Dunaif has done a lot of research on PCOS and genetics. If you are interested in this subject, you may want to listen to my podcast with Dr. Dunaif – http://pcosdiva.com/2014/05/interview-with-pcos-genetic-expert-dr-andrea-dunaif/
Dr. Lara Briden has a wonderful book called The Period Repair Manual. She believes some womens’ PCOS is triggered by inflammatory agents, like food intolerances. I think that might be my case. I now know I am intolerant to gluten and dairy, yet a big part of my diet growing up was gluten containing foods and dairy products. I have worked to greatly reduce gluten and dairy in my daughters diet. I have also been teaching her about nutrition from a very early age, so I can empower her to make her own life affirming food choices. She also takes fish oil which is a wonderful anti-inflammatory and a children’s vitamin with methylated B’s. I make sure she gets lots of physical activity – she loves to dance and jump on my rebounding trampoline.
Thank you for sharing your fertility success story. I have a friend with PCOS who is currently having trouble conceiving, and it’s taken such an emotional toll on her. I will share your inspiring words.
There is so much hope for women with PCOS. Please have her download my PCOS 101 Guide – http://pcosdiva.com/programs/pcos-101/. I also have some wonderful podcasts on fertility. She might listen to this one – it is all about mindset – http://pcosdiva.com/2015/12/pcos-fertility-focused/ IT covers the following:
– the power of optimism and why it works
– how letting go of grief, fear and jealousy boosts your fertility
– the wisdom we can gain from the mind-body link of Chinese medicine
– how self-care prepares a healthy space for your child and you for motherhood
thank you for this great information.