Dining out is often problematic when you are on a PCOS diet plan. Restaurant menus or ingredients hidden from sight, tempting PCOS friendly meals can be difficult when trying to lose PCOS weight. But with these few precisions, you can have all your meals eating out and not hurt your fitness goals.
Mistake 1: Skipping Meals Before Dining Out
There is always a misconception that since you will eat at a restaurant later, you will avoid breakfast and lunch to save up for those calories. Unfortunately, this often backfires. When one gets to a restaurant, especially famished, they are more inclined to overindulge and order items that they would not ordinarily order, or even healthier ones at that. However, it is recommended that you take a small meal or a snack of some proportions before going out to attend to the exercise. This will in a way assist in controlling your appetite, and make you think appropriately to achieve what is recommended in the PCOS diet.
Mistake 2: Overlooking Hidden Sugars and Fats
Every food in restaurants may include sugar and unhealthy fat in it, which are hard to be seen even in simple salads, or grilled foods. These components can cause fluctuations in the blood sugar level and affect insulin resistance which is characteristic of PCOS. It is recommended that when you are ordering the food, do not fail to ask how the food is prepared. Choose menu items that contain a minimal number of processed components and less sugar and ask for dressing or sauce separately.
Mistake 3: Ignoring Portion Sizes
The portion sizes served in restaurants are larger than you would normally serve at home thus encouraging people to take more than they should. This is especially difficult when one is following PCOS diet plan for weight loss. Here is one useful piece of advice: when the food starts to be served, it’s better to ask for a to-go box and put half of the meal in it which will be helpful when hunger comes later. This enables you to have a meal that you love while, at the same time, keeping off the extra weight associated with PCOS.
Mistake 4: Choosing the Wrong Carbs
You can’t avoid carbohydrates no matter what diet plan you are adopting but in the case of PCOS, you have to be careful while including carbohydrates. High glycemic index foods such as white bread or pasta increase blood sugar and insulin levels thus worsening the condition of PCOS. Otherwise, you should consider complex carbs such as whole grains or low glycemic index foods like quinoa, brown rice, or any veggies. This will assist in the regulation of blood sugar within the body and also aids in the diet plan for women with PCOS for weight loss.
Tips for Navigating Menus on a PCOS Diet Plan
– Focus on Protein and Fiber: While scanning through the menu ensure you focus on foods that are high in protein and fiber. These nutrients make you eat for longer durations without needing the next meal and can help to avoid taking many meals. Protein foods include baked chicken, fish, beans, and green leafy vegetables should be taken while low glycemic index foods include fruits and vegetables.
– Don’t Be Afraid to Customize: In particular, most restaurants are very receptive to such requirements. This is not so complicated as to totally deny a request for grilled rather than fried, or a side dish of vegetables rather than fries. These are some of the few things which, when done in small ways, help you to stay within your PCOS diet plan.
– Stay Hydrated: At times, people may confuse thirst with hunger and this causes them to eat or take more food when they don’t need it. A person should take a lot of water during meals to control over eating habits and prevent dehydration.
– Mind the Alcohol: Based on the fact that alcoholic beverages contain calories and can interfere with the diabetic patient’s blood sugar. If you go for a drink, then it is advised to take one glass of nonintoxicating wine, or spirit mixed with soda water. This prevents overindulgence in your PCOS weight loss plan while ensuring that you do not totally cut out on eating out.
Conclusion
Dining out while on a PCOS diet does not have to be complicated nor does it have to cause one to feel guilty. Most restaurants don’t have to be unhealthy; you can eat out and still stick to your diet by learning from the mistakes above.
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