Why PCOS and Carbs Can (and Should!) Be Friends
There’s a collective gasp I’ve come to expect from my PCOS clients when I utter a certain four-letter word: R-I-C-E. It’s like I’ve just suggested they eat leche flan for breakfast every day. “But isn’t rice bad for me?” they ask, wide-eyed, as though we live in a country that doesn’t serve rice for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and occasionally dessert.
So, here’s the plot twist: carbs (yes, including rice) are not the enemy. What is sabotaging your hormonal health? That sly merienda of five chocolate chip cookies you swore were “just small.” Read: it’s because you’re still hungry from depriving yourself of rice at lunch.
The Great Carbohydrate Confusion
For some reason, carbs have been banished to the dietary gulag for anyone with PCOS, thanks to a tidal wave of misinformation. The keto cult doesn’t help, nor do the titas who swear they lost 10 pounds just by cutting out rice. But here’s what most people miss: not all carbs are created equal.
Complex carbs, like your trusty rice (brown, black, red, pick your fighter), pasta, bread, and even kamote, are metabolized more slowly. They provide steady energy, fiber, and nutrients. On the other hand, simple carbs like cookies, candies, cakes, and those sugar-laden drinks masquerading as “iced tea”, are digested faster than chismis at a family reunion, spiking your blood sugar and then dropping it like a bad habit.
Why You Need Complex Carbs for Hormonal Balance
Carbs do more than just keep you from hangry-texting your ex. For women with PCOS, they’re vital for stabilizing blood sugar levels and supporting insulin sensitivity. Insulin, by the way, is the Mariah Carey of your hormones. Powerful, but prone to drama when ignored. Balanced insulin means better overall hormonal harmony. And sugar crashes.
Complex carbs are also rich in fiber, which not only keeps your digestion in check (goodbye, bloating!) but also helps regulate estrogen levels. Plus, they provide the fuel your body needs for energy, which is especially important when you’re dealing with PCOS-related fatigue. In short, cutting out rice at lunch only to raid the cookie jar by 3 PM isn’t helping. It’s just a carb swap with a side of guilt.
Finding Middle Ground (and a Spoonful of Rice)
Instead of villainizing rice, pasta, or bread, let’s focus on balance. Pair your carbs with protein and healthy fats. For instance, have your chicken adobo with a modest cup of brown rice and a heap of veggies. Or enjoy whole-wheat pandesal with eggs and avocado for breakfast. This keeps your blood sugar steady and your taste buds happy.
The truth is, life’s too short (and hormones too sensitive) to live in fear of carbs. So, to my PCOS clients and everyone else eyeing their rice cooker with suspicion: embrace the carbs that love you back. A cup of rice won’t derail your progress, but a life without carbs is a tragedy no one should endure.
And for the love of god, put down the fifth cookie.