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Are you pregnant, planning to get pregnant or have you been diagnosed with gestational diabetes?  Then you need to give our latest podcast episode, featuring special guest Lily Nichols - a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator and Author of "Real Food For Pregnancy" and "Real Food For Gestational Diabetes". We had Lily on the podcast a couple of weeks ago, talking to us about Vitamin A and the benefits it provides so give that episode a listen if you'd like to know more. Today, we are so excited to have Lily back, to chat about the really important topic of gestational diabetes! Lily, has done a lot of work with patients with gestational diabetes and has found that the standard dietary guidelines made things worse for them. In this episode, we learn about the various meal plans advised for pregnant women with gestational diabetes and why they aren’t actually helpful for them, how to manage blood glucose through food, and how to get good nutrient levels.  Lily also shares a little insight into her, "Real Food For Gestational Diabetes", discussing ketosis during pregnancy, and so much more. Join us as we explore the ins and outs of gestational diabetes. Trust me, It's packed with amazing content that you won't want to miss. Something  we cover in this episode: Gestational Diabetes. Dietary guidelines for gestational diabetes.  Lily’s book: Real Food for Pregnancy. Ways to manage your blood glucose through food. Pre diabetes for women with PCOS. 20-50% of people with PCOS test positive for gestational diabetes. Removing highly processed foods. Ketosis during pregnancy.  Working with a clinician who has worked with a wide range of patients. Resources and References: Lily's book: Real Food for Pregnancy  Instagram The PCOS Nutritionist Instagram The PCOS Nutritionist Tiktok My Book: Getting Pregnant with PCOS Links to our programs: The PCOS Protocol The DIY PCOS Protocol 1:1 Consultations

Are you suffering from migraines?This week on The PCOS Nutritionist, we have a special guest, Diane Ducarme, the Founder & CEO of Nector Health, to discuss how migraines can be hormonally driven, particularly for people with disrupted progesterone and oestrogen.Join us as Diane shares her tragic accident and journey with western medicine, how traditional Chinese medicine helped her, and how she was able to lose weight by adding foods rather than cutting them.We’ll talk about giving your body the nutrients and energy it needs, thinking of migraines like a fire alarm, and exploring the root causes for women with migraines.Plus, we’ll discuss liver and kidney function, symptoms and triggers for PCOS patients with migraines, and common medications for migraines.Don’t miss this episode and the chance to learn how to add foods to help manage migraines.Something things we cover in this episode: Why people are after a quick fix? Weight loss and weight gain. Traditional Chinese medicine. The root causes for women with migraines. Liver and Kidney function. PCOS patients with migraines. Migraine symptoms and triggers. Common medications for migraines. Adding foods to help with migraines. Resources and References: Take the migraine test Ovie Instagram The PCOS Nutritionist Instagram The PCOS Nutritionist TikTok My Book: Getting Pregnant with PCOS Links to our programs: The PCOS Protocol The DIY PCOS Protocol 1:1 Consultations

In this weeks episode, we talk about life with ADHD and PCOS with an incredible past Protocoler Anna. Anna has experienced it all. She was told all the usual things most of us have heard from our doctors, tried Paleo but it didn't help with her PCOS. Eventually, Anna found The PCOS Protocol and loved the level of detail provided so she knew what was driving her PCOS. She didn’t want to feel like a failure this time.So in this episode, we'll discuss how to think of ADHD and PCOS as a spectrum and how to adapt things to make dealing with PCOS and ADHD a bit easier. We'll also talk about how living with ADHD means you may struggle with being a perfectionist, how sugar cravings give a dopamine hit, how women present ADHD differently to men, and the increasing number of adult diagnoses of ADHD.So, if you're looking for some tips and advice on how to manage the symptoms of ADHD and PCOS, then make sure to listen to this week's episode!  Something things we cover in this episode: The PCOS Protocol and the level of detail provided  ADHD and PCOS on a spectrum, how it varies for everyone Adapting things to make dealing with PCOS and ADHD a bit easier Feeling like a failure  What people would assume ADHD is like Tips if you have ADHD and PCOS PCOS symptoms and ADHD symptoms overlap Sugar cravings  How women present ADHD differently to men  Resources and References: Ovie Instagram The PCOS Nutritionist Instagram The PCOS Nutritionist Tiktok My Book: Getting Pregnant with PCOS Links to our programs: The PCOS Protocol 1:1 Consultations The DIY PCOS Protocol

Join me and Emma, our Senior Nutritionist at The PCOS Nutritionist, as we chat about what we were wrong about, how our beliefs about nutrition have evolved since we graduated University, and especially since working with PCOS patients. We’re going to be open and vulnerable about the things we got wrong, our personal experiences and beliefs, why we got it wrong, and how we are learning and adapting as new research comes out, to really help patients.  We will also talk about cholesterol not causing high cholesterol in the body, the importance of individualised care, the fallacy of 'calories in, calories out', why eggs are not the devil, the priority of sleep over exercise, and how we have changed our stances in order to better help our PCOS clients. So don't miss out on this fascinating episode - tune in now!Something things we cover in this episode: Why people are after a quick fix? Creating a healthy relationship with food. What we learnt at University vs what we know now. How science is evolving, always gaining more knowledge and information. Eggs are not the devil Cheating on sleep for the gym Not everyone with PCOS can do the same thing to see success Resources and References: Ovie Instagram The PCOS Nutritionist Instagram The PCOS Nutritionist Tiktok My Book: Getting Pregnant with PCOS Links to our programs: The PCOS Protocol 1:1 Consultations The DIY PCOS Protocol

I am so excited to have special guest, Lily Nichols on our latest podcast episode! Lily is an amazing Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator and Author of "Real Food For Pregnancy" and "Real Food For Gestational Diabetes", whose approach to nutrition embraces real food, integrative medicine, and mindful eating. I know, many of you are curious about Vitamin A, and whether it is safe to take during pregnancy, so in this episode, Lily will share her expertise on the topic and provide evidence-based information to help answer your questions.  We will cover what Vitamin A is, the different forms it comes in,  where we get it from and why health professionals have been telling us not to take Vitamin A during pregnancy? Lily will also share the important benefits of Vitamin A and how to introduce it into your diet.  So if you're curious about Vitamin A and its role in pregnancy, you need to give this episode a listen and hear Lily's expert advice on this important topic.Something things we cover in this episode: What is Vitamin A?  Different forms of Vitamin A Should I be taking Vitamin A during pregnancy?  Does Vitamin A cause birth defects? Research on Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) What do doctors tell us about Vitamin A? Foods that contain Vitamin A  How to introduce Vitamin A into your diet The benefits of Vitamin A Resources and References: My Book: Getting Pregnant with PCOS My free Prenatal supplement guide Lily's books: Real Food for Pregnancy  Lily's blog post: Liver and organ meat: Nutritional benefits and how to make it palatable Cod Liver oil - Amazon (3 daily (300mg DHA daily) Cod Liver oil - iHerb (3 daily (300mg DHA daily) Ovie Instagram The PCOS Nutritionist Instagram The PCOS Nutritionist Tiktok Links to our programs: The PCOS Protocol 1:1 Consultations The DIY PCOS Protocol

Last week I was talking to Jamie on the podcast, and she said something profound. “I was scared to commit to making changes because I’ve failed at so many diets in the past”. Why do I deserve to spend money to get advice when I have no self control and can’t stick to anything. I too have been in that exact position and almost said that same thing to myself word for word. Join me, and resident psychologist Sophia Dawson, this week on the podcast and find out why some say that 95% of diets fail and how to finally make lasting changes. Find out why you’ve been set up to fail and what to do to succeed with habit change. If this is your first time tuning in with our special guest Sophia, she is a registered psychologist who specialises in helping people, like us, make actual change. Meeting us where we are, and providing tools and techniques to help us to get to where we want to go.We'll explore holistic psychological health and how what you eat, how you move, sleep, and your vitamin and mineral intake all contribute to your physical and mental health.Sophia and I will help you see that really, it’s not you, it’s the diet. And that you can still achieve your goals, don’t worry about that, but you really need to set your mindset up in the right way to succeed long term. Just like Jamie did.Exciting news - our brand new service: If you want to work 1:1 with our qualified team of Nutritionists, Emma and Charlie specialize in PCOS and are ready to support you on your PCOS journey.  Book a 1:1 consultation today! Something things we cover in this episode: Why people are after a quick fix? Weight loss and weight gain. It's not you, it's the diet Creating a healthy relationship with food. Being kind and compassionate to ourselves. Decision fatigue Reframing your mind to succeed Making towards moves Resources and References: Ovie Instagram The PCOS Nutritionist Instagram The PCOS Nutritionist TikTok My Book: Getting Pregnant with PCOS Links to our programs: The PCOS Protocol The DIY PCOS Protocol 1:1 Consultations

We've got one of our amazing clients, Jaimee who shares all the details about her weight loss journey.  This woman is a total bad-ass and her story will blow your mind. Jaime lost 30 kg after joining our program, but the real magic happened when she started eating twice the amount she used to without any weight gain. How did she do it? By making some lifestyle changes through our program that helped her balance her hormones and ditch those pesky food cravings and binge eating habits for good. Jaimee's story is so relatable and inspiring, especially for anyone with PCOS who may struggle with willpower and food cravings. Her journey will definitely motivate you to take control of your health and make some lasting lifestyle changes that will set you up for success. Something we cover in this episode: Why people are after a quick fix? Weight loss and weight gain. Creating a healthy relationship with food. Learning to love your body. Learning to say no without saying no in social settings. Doing what is right for your PCOS symptoms Resources and References: Ovie Instagram The PCOS Nutritionist Instagram The PCOS Nutritionist Tiktok My Book: Getting Pregnant with PCOS Links to our programs: The PCOS Protocol The DIY PCOS Protocol 1:1 Consultations

We're diving into why New Year's resolutions are setting you up to fail and how you can actually make lasting changes by building habits that embody the person you want to be. We've got Sophia Dawson, our resident licensed psychologist, as our special guest. She's sharing her expertise on how to set yourself up for success and build habits that will help you achieve your goals. She also provides practical tips and strategies for building habits that last and discusses the importance of aligning your actions with your values and goals.Something things we cover in this episode: Why do most NY resolutions fail? What to do instead of setting typical NY resolutions? Choosing stuff that matters to you (values). Adopt the identify of the person you want to be. Making towards moves. Resources and References: Ovie Instagram The PCOS Nutritionist Instagram The PCOS Nutritionist Tiktok My Book: Getting Pregnant with PCOS Links to our programs: The PCOS Protocol The DIY PCOS Protocol

Are you tired of feeling guilty about every single food choice you make over the holidays? Are you sick of getting grilled by your family or friends about your body and food choices? 63% of us do and we don't have to.  It's time to put an end to that- life is too precious to waste your mental energy on that.  In this latest podcast episode, we're talking about how to apply the 80/20 principle to your health over the holidays, so you can enjoy yourself without feeling guilty about every little indulgence. Plus, we're sharing tips on how to handle those pesky family members who always seem to have an opinion on your food choices, and how to set boundaries around what you're comfortable with. It's time to take control of your own food choices and stop feeling guilty about every little thing. Tune in to our latest episode and learn how to enjoy the holiday season without all the unnecessary guilt and judgement.

2022 has been the year of the weight loss drug.  Drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Saxenda have exploded in popularity this year, much of this due to their own merits, they can be really really successful for weight loss (and improving insulin resistance) for many people.  However, as we're seeing with our PCOS Protocolers it isn't plain sailing.  So this episode dives into the good, the bad and the ugly so that you can go in with eyes wide open!Here are a few links mentioned for you:The PCOS Protocol  LMNT Electrolytes ( I love the Raspberry Salt flavour)

With the cost of living going through the roof, we’ve got to be smart about where we can save on everything from food to supplements to skincare.  We’re coming to you with all the tips on where to save big while living your best life with PCOS. We also talk about what’s really  worth splurging on, and what better time to stock up on the more expensive items, than Black Friday!On that note, this our Black Friday Promo, $100 Off The PCOS Protocol Code: BLACKFRIDAY100Link: https://thepcosnutritionist.com/thepcosprotocol/In this episode we cover: How to splurge wisely on supplements and what are a a complete waste of money How to actually use frozen vegetables well  Where to shop for the best deals on fresh food What to bulk buy for the best savings Weekly routines to save on food How to use near to expiry products safely  How to use sales like Black Friday for yearly savings on skincare and supplements Resources and References: Ovie Instagram The PCOS Nutritionist Tiktok The PCOS Nutritionist Instagram Daisy’s Food Blogger Instagram My Book: Getting Pregnant with PCOS Links to our programs: The PCOS Protocol The DIY PCOS Protocol Eggducated

Ok, let's rewind the clock a few years and take you back to 2005.  At this time I was at university studying to become a nutritionist and racing in triathlons competitively.  You’d think from reading that one sentence that I would have nutrition down pat - and I thought I did! But the reality was that I was really struggling with a plan for my nutrition. I was eating ‘all the right things’ yet I was getting this INSANE sugar cravings I couldn’t seem to get on top of.  I would find myself ploughing through pastries, chocolate and crisps and then thinking “what the heck am I doing?!” then go back to trying to eat less and those classic food pyramid recommendations, all for this cycle to happen all over again. I thought I needed a better meal plan.  If I could just have a good meal plan I'd stick to it.  But what I actually needed was better blood sugar and stress management.  This is the same as Jamie, one of our patients, who sent us this email the other day: “I first thought the protocol was going to be another impersonal programme where you are just emailed diets and information and are told what to eat.  I was also concerned that I wouldn't have the willpower to stick with the changes.  After years of trying and failing different diets and dealing with crazy hormones, I was very worried I would sign up and not be able to stick to the lifestyle changes Never in a million years did I think I would ever be able to have a relationship with food like I have now. I have found it so easy to maintain my weight and periods for the first time in my life.” For the majority of patients we see, it’s not that they don’t know how to live a healthy lifestyle or that they need a meal plan to stick to - in fact, I rarely see it being helpful.  What most PCOS patients need is to understand their root cause that’s driving those symptoms. Once they’ve figured that out, they’re able to eat in a way that’s not only sustainable but also INTUITIVE!  If you’re feeling like I’ve just read your mind (and you’re struggling with your nutrition), have another listen to this podcast we did with Stephanie. This episode is for you if: Have insatiable sugar cravings Feel tired and hungry pretty much all the time Have tried sugar cleanses or cutting sugar completely but haven’t been able to maintain it Feel like you have no willpower when it comes to avoiding snacks and sweet treats Hangry attacks feel like a regular occurrence to you You want to feel more in control of your food, instead of it controlling you Some things we cover in this episode: Insulin’s relationship with sugar How Stephanie overcame her sugar addiction Lack of sleep and its effects on insulin and sugar cravings Stephanie’s story with PCOS Methods that Stephanie tried for curbing cravings – what works and what doesn’t Sugar ‘cleanses’ and ‘detoxing’ The difference between PCOS and ovarian cysts Negative self talk when it comes to food Resources and References: Ovie Instagram The PCOS Nutritionist Instagram The PCOS Nutritionist Tiktok My Book: Getting Pregnant with PCOS Links to our programs: The PCOS Protocol

Did you go searching the internet ‘abyss’ for information and try to piece together a list of lifestyle changes that can help your PCOS symptoms after being diagnosed? And end up with a list SO freakin’ long it’s hard to keep up with and you didn’t even know where to start? Lifestyle changes can make a massive, positive impact on your symptoms - that’s pretty undeniable and we can all agree on that.  But it doesn’t mean that loading up on as many lifestyle changes as possible is the best idea. Figuring out what those few ‘high impact’ changes are for you that you can maintain long term is what’ll really make the difference. Learning that more isn’t always better can be kinda tough and it’s something that I know a lot of you struggle with or have struggled with. You’re not alone - both myself and the protocoler you’ll be listening to today on the pod have been there.  In today’s episode we talk all about this and more with Lily, one of our lovely PCOS protocolers. Like me — and probably a lot of you — Lily is a perfectionist, type A kinda gal. So when she finally got a diagnosis after years of trying and suspecting, she jumped straight into ‘ok now give me the steps to fix this and I’ll follow it to a tee’ mode.  And yes, as suspected this of course left her feeling frustrated when she got only tiny, unhelpful crumbs of information from her doctors. There’s so much information out there, so she ended up with an extremely long, unsustainable list of changes to made life feel really restrictive.  She dealt with aggressive cystic acne (like the accutane type, not a couple of measly spots), uncontrollable weight gain, some hirsutism and unexplained fatigue. Not only did we help her drastically improve those symptoms (5.5 inches of her waist, 6 inches of her hips, no need to sleep in the day, cleared up acne and no more hirsutism!) but she’s also come out the other side (and into our Lifers program) equipped with knowledge about her body and with some really solid, fantastic mindset shifts that enable her to continue keeping on top of her PCOS symptoms. We wanted to bring back this podcast because it’s something that a lot of you struggle with and something that we VERY often see in the clinic with our patients. If you’re feeling like you’ve tried everything, you’re feeling like a failure and it feels like the list of things you need to do to get on top of things is miles long, then you’re going to get so much out of this chat.  Plus, there were plenty of laughs and relatable ‘that’s so me’ moments along the way — it’s a hoot of a pod! This episode is for you if: You’re struggling with uncontrollable weight gain Acne is a major symptom for you You find that you’re always tired for no logical reason You feel like your doctors aren’t really giving you any options beyond the Pill, IVF and eating less moving more You have a type A / perfectionist personality You’ve been looking all over the internet for answers and stitching together different recommendations but you can’t seem to get on top of your symptoms You think you may have or know you have thyroid issues You want to know how to make changes for your PCOS sustainable You think you may have or know you have autoimmune issues You’re doing so much for your PCOS so you’re confused about why nothing seems to be working Talking to your family and friends about PCOS usually ends up in them asking why you can’t eat certain foods and what someone they know did to help their symptoms Your tests have come back ‘normal’ but you don’t feel normal Some things we cover in this episode: Weight gain Aggressive acne Why making more and more changes isn’t always better Why conversations with loved ones about P

When you were diagnosed with PCOS, was one of the first things you did go and search up changes to make to help your symptoms? And found that there were about 10,000 different diets out there that were supposedly ‘the’ way to improve all of those frustrating AF symptoms you’ve been dealing with? If you said no, lucky! But if you said yes, girl - we’ve all been there. It’s a bit of a dumpster fire on the internet trying to find solutions to PCOS these days. You don’t want to be consumed by difficult lifestyle changes, you just want to find something sustainable that allows us variety and flexibility - and works - so you can actually get on with the rest of your life! We don’t want it to compromise the things we love. For today’s guest Daisy, figuring out how to do this and manage her PCOS successfully while still running her beloved foodie blog was the dilemma. She was finding it difficult to find a sustainable, healthy medium between restrictive diet culture fuelled pattern and the ‘f*** it, who cares’ mentality. It’s a pretty darn tough balancing act — Daisy, like us, is a perfectionist so finding balance was the goal - and to get on top of her acne, weight gain and missing periods. In today’s episode we speak all about her PCOS journey — where it all started, her core ‘why’ behind wanting to improve her symptoms, how she manages a food blog (which means she’s given burgers, fries, cakes, drinks, brunches, elaborate dinners) while still managing her insulin, how she got on top of that perfectionist mindset to lead a more 80/20 approach to her PCOS, listening to your body, managing your PCOS while travelling (she’s on her honeymoon!) and her key advice for anyone struggling with their PCOS. If you feel like you’re struggling with this balancing act between getting on top of your PCOS, enjoying yourself still and quieting that perfectionist voice in your head, you’re going to luuurve this episode. This episode is for you if: You’re struggling with symptoms like acne, weight gain, irregular/missing periods and gut issues You don’t want to give up your favourite foods and you’re wanting a way to balance your PCOS and the things you enjoy Travelling and managing your PCOS seems like an impossible task and you need advice You are a foodie, so the thought of nutrition changes stresses you out You have perfectionist tendencies and/or you’re a Type A kind of person You want to improve your relationship with food Some things we cover in this episode: PCOS nutrition while travelling Non-negotiables Making habit changes for your PCOS that are actually sustainable Getting on top of severe acne, constant weight gain and missing periods Running a food blog and eating out when you have insulin resistant PCOS How long it takes to see changes What your ‘why’ is and why having a ‘why’ is so important IBS and PCOS Resources and References: Ovie Instagram The PCOS Nutritionist Tiktok The PCOS Nutritionist Instagram Daisy’s Food Blogger Instagram My Book: Getting Pregnant with PCOS Links to our programs: The PCOS Protocol The DIY PCOS Protocol Eggducated

Eating disorders and a poor relationship with food are unfortunately very common in the PCOS community. Which isn’t surprising given that we can feel out of control of our bodies and we have health professionals, PTs and the general public telling us we’re not trying hard enough. Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the PCOS community, which is understandable when we’re thrown so many different diets and lifestyle changes to ‘improve’ our symptoms. So how do you know what a normal relationship with food looks like and whether or not you’re experiencing BED? Following on from our previous podcast, Clare, Emma and Charlie chat all about what a normal relationship with food looks like and we take a deep dive into BED - what it is, how it’s diagnosed and what feeds into it. As always, if you think you’re experiencing an eating disorder or poor relationship with food, please seek professional help. Going alone isn’t the way and you are ALWAYS worthy of help - even if it feels scary. We are now trained in eating disorders but this journey takes a team, so definitely speak to your GP and a specialised psychologist or psychiatrist if you feel as though any of this resonates. This episode is for you if: You feel out of control in your body You often find yourself blowing out on foods and then following it with restriction out of guilt Lack of planning of food causes you immense amount of stress for you You feel out of control around food You often find yourself secretly eating foods you know aren’t great for you (ie. in the car, in your room alone) You have a history of yo-yo dieting You’ve tried a lot of diets Some things we cover in this episode: What does a normal relationship with food look like?  What does disordered eating look like?  Types of ED What is Binge Eating Disorder (BED)?  What feeds into BED? Stats on disordered eating in females Self esteem, self control and body image Why BED and other disordered eating is so common in PCOS Resources and References: My Book: Getting Pregnant with PCOS Links to our programs: The PCOS Protocol The DIY PCOS Protocol Eggducated

Do you ever feel out of control around food? Do you find yourself thinking about food a lot of the time? Or you feel like you need to restrict food or cut out entire food groups, and then you end up bingeing and feel like you've 'fallen off the wagon'  For the longest time I felt so out of control around food.  There were times that I’d feel like I just couldn’t stop eating.  Or the drive to eat sugary food was just so strong I couldn’t overcome it.  The awful thing was, I thought that this was my fault.  I thought it was my lack of self control.  If I could just show greater restraint, I’d be able to stick to the diet and everything would work out.  But every week would have the same pattern.  I’d start off ‘good’.  My ‘self control’ would be firing, but then come Thursday I couldn’t help it any longer and I’d want to eat everything in sight.  Then I’d criticise myself for ‘falling off the wagon’ and vow to do better next week.  This same pattern has been told to me by countless people with PCOS.  One of our PCOS Protocol clients this week told me about this exact pattern.  She said:  “I’d restrict and restrict and restrict, and then I couldn’t help it any longer. I was on the road to binge town” I felt this so personally, it made me want to cry.   I’ve even had clients describe this as ‘self sabotaging’  their own progress.  So many of us have, or are currently struggling with this.  If  this is how you feel, I want to let you know this isn’t your fault.  You aren’t ‘self sabotaging’ or lacking self control.  Your hormones aren’t working properly and this is what’s driving you to binge and feel out of control around food.  There is hope, and a really easy solution to this.  Both this client and I do not feel out of control around food any longer. We feel complete freedom with food.  We don’t have the insatiable drive to binge, or feel like we can’t stop eating.   We also don’t feel restricted.  We can eat whatever we like, but we know what makes our hormones work the best and we eat this 80% of the time.  But about 4 meals a week, we eat whatever we like. We don’t cut out gluten and dairy entirely and we eat over 2000 calories and maintain our weight easily even around holidays and .  It doesn’t happen overnight.  It takes about 2 weeks to start feeling more in control and less insatiable , and then about 6 months to feel more and more freedom.    Have a listen to the podcast this week to understand what is making you feel out of control around food. You don’t have to suffer in silence, you’re worthy of help and it is not your fault that you’re struggling. This episode is for you if: You feel like you can’t control yourself around food All you can think about is food It seems like everyone around you has more self control than you yet you’re trying the hardest You feel like you need to restrict food or cut out entire food groups, and then you end up bingeing and feel like you've 'fallen off the wagon'  Some things we cover in this episode: Clare's personal experience of feeling out of control around food Why restricting food can then lead to bingeing How your hormones, especially the one that controls your blood sugar are actually causing you to binge or eat sugary foods. Resources and References: My Book: Getting Pregnant with PCOS Links to our programs:

Not sure if any of you know, but it's not just me behind the PCOS Nutritionist! Back in the day, I started it just me, myself and I but of course 5 or so years later it’s grown dramatically and is definitely no one man band anymore 😂 I have a wonderful team around me helping me run parts of the company and also on some awesome projects we have coming up 👀😉 All our staff have dealt with their own health journey's and come from a range of backgrounds so while they don't all have pcos, they do know the struggles of medical gaslighting, feeling confused, going around in circles and all other things that those dealing with chronic health issues know all too well! In this episode we chat about chronic health issues, thyroid, pcos, lifestyle changes, thriving > surviving, backing yourself and advocating for yourself in a healthcare setting, questions from our gram fam/patients and how Emma and Charlie came to work at The PCOS Nutritionist. Advocating for your health is SO important - this is something me and the team are so passionate about and something we talk about a lot in this episode. Emma and Charlie are faces you’ll see all the time if you’re working with us all in The PCOS Protocol. So if you’re wondering more about who’s going to be helping you (alongside me) in the protocol, tune into this episode! This episode is for you if: you’ve struggled with your health and chronic health issues you have thyroid issues Stress is a big issue for you You’re looking into working with us but want to know more about who you’ll be working with alongside Clare You deal with hypothalamic amenorrhea Bloating is something you struggle with Some things we cover in this episode: Hypothalamic Amenorrhea Struggles with talking with your healthcare professional and disagreeing with them Thyroid Issues - Hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s, Thyroidectomies PCOS and other conditions that come alongside that Supplements Bloating and gut issues Charlie’s health journey and healthcare background Emma’s health journey and healthcare background Resources and References: My Book: Getting Pregnant with PCOS Prekure Courses Links to our programs: The PCOS Protocol Eggducated

Ok so you’ve been trying everything for your PCOS and nothing is working. So, you start to think about what medications might be available to you to help you with your PCOS symptoms, like that frustrating weight gain you can’t seem to get on top of or those crazy sugar cravings that never seem to be satiated. It’s overwhelming when you delve into it all. You’ve heard about Metformin, but the feedback is torn - then you hear people in PCOS forums talking about Ozempic and Saxenda, which seem to be similar but are they better? What’s the difference between them all? How do they actually work? What kind of results will they give me, will it actually be worth taking it? Side effects? Which ones will ACTUALLY help the problem rather than bandaiding it? There’s so many things to think about when tossing up your options - especially if, like me, you went on metformin and you needed a loo present pretty much at all times 😂 So today on The PCOS Nutritionist Podcast, I wanted to give you a bit of an overview of some of the most common insulin medications for PCOS to help cut through the noise and give you some more clarity on what your options are, the difference between them all, what to ask for and of course, the research behind each. Now this podcast is slightly different because it’s actually a snippet from our NEW mini module all about medications and PCOS! So if you’re listening along and thinking “interesting! I’d love to hear more about this” then go ahead and jump into that mini module! It’s only $24, so it’s a great option if you aren’t financially in a position to do the PCOS Protocol OR you just want help with little snippets of your PCOS journey rather than everything. This episode is for you if: Your weight loss is really getting the better of you and you’re over it You’ve been told about medication options for PCOS but you’re still confused about what they actually do Your weight loss has stagnated and you’re wondering what your options are You want to know which are the best in terms of helping that PCOS root cause The difference between the medications is confusing you You’ve heard your doctor and/or friends and/or people on forums with PCOS talk about a medication and you want more info Some things we cover in this episode: The most common medications for improving PCOS weight loss How they work What I’ve seen with these medications clinically Which medications actually improve your PCOS root cause, insulin and symptoms Who these drugs are prescribed for and what the requirements are How long do you need to stay on one of these medications for it to be effective What are the side effects of these medications? How much do these medications cost? Contraindications of these medications Resources and References: NEW Medications and PCOS mini module NEW Breastfeeding and PCOS mini module My Book: Getting Pregnant with PCOS Links to our programs: The PCOS Protocol Eggdu

As I’m sure you can imagine having been pregnant with PCOS, I’ve had a raft of questions from other expecting mothers with PCOS and enquiring minds on how I’m preparing for birth and what the heck happens to PCOS postpartum. As you’re listening to this podcast, I’m actually right in the thick of the newborn stage. I’m sure I’ll reflect back on this podcast with some things I wish I’d known, but hey hindsight is a wonderful thing! As I’m recording this episode though, I’m a few weeks away from giving birth and I’ve been thinking a lot about how drastically life will change. While I help women and birthing people day-in-day-out with understanding their PCOS (and for some trying to conceive), I haven’t lived that postpartum experience in the first person yet — only through a more scientific lens. Because I know it can be such a whirlwind and an unpredictable time, I wanted to take a moment to pause and touch on what I’m doing to prepare for birth and postpartum PCOS in these final moments of this pregnancy.  There are so many unknowns in the fourth trimester and what I always say to my patients and protocolers is to ‘focus on what’s within your control’. So that’s exactly what I plan to do in today’s episode — share with you what’s in my control right now that will help future Clare not run around like a headless, sleep deprived chicken (or new mother hen should I say)! While my journey will likely be a bit different to some of yours — hello leading and running a business meaning no traditional maternity leave, I know you’ll probably think I’m crazy. I think that having this honest, open conversation about how I’m preparing for birth, postpartum life and my PCOS postpartum will have so much value to so many of you, whether you’re planning to have children or not. This episode is for you if: You’re currently pregnant with PCOS You are curious as to how PCOS changes postpartum The fourth trimester is worrying you You want to know how I’m managing PCOS, a new baby and a business all at the same time Some things we cover in this episode: My support systems: it takes a village to raise a child (they’re not wrong!) What I’m doing to prepare for and after birth My approach when it comes to medicated / unmedicated Understanding all the options Birth plans — do I have one? What does it look like? Birthing courses The mental pressure of being a new mum — how I’m preparing Antenatal classes Building a community of other mothers with similar aged babies The things that’ll be harder to do postpartum and how I’m navigating that Nursery plans My postpartum survival kit What to expect in the first few hours, weeks and months Lactation consultants and breastfeeding with PCOS How I’m managing the judgements from other people on how you look after / raise your baby Resources and References: Postpartum course My Book: Getting Pregnant with PCOS Links to our programs: The PCOS Protocol Eggducated

PCOS is a syndrome — meaning there’s no one single way it presents, it’s a constellation of symptoms. And everyone’s constellation of PCOS symptoms looks slightly different. Because of this, it can be so hard to understand what symptoms are ‘normal’, what symptoms are not and whether something you’re experiencing is due to your PCOS or something else entirely. As you’ll know too well (and as I know all too well), sometimes symptoms can get so freakin’ bad that you don’t even want to entertain leaving the house because PCOS can completely consume you sometimes and absolutely destroy your self confidence. If you’re feeling really lost with understanding your symptoms, I hear you — I’ve been exactly where you are and it is so awful. You feel like your body is so out of control and there’s so many different symptoms you’re trying (and struggling) to stay on top of, it’s exhausting. If you’re feeling like this, I really think this episode of the podcast will speak to you. Today we're talking to the lovely Lauren, who I met through The PCOS Protocol. Now, as Lauren will tell you in her story, she had been suffering from a range of PCOS symptoms (which she didn’t realise were PCOS symptoms at the time) for many years and had just been put on the hormonal contraceptive pill, like many of us do, to deal with these symptoms. After deciding to come off, her symptoms kicked off and that's when she flagged multiple times to her doctor that this wasn’t working for her — hello PCOS diagnosis! That's when all of the other symptoms started to make sense to her. But until we worked together, there were so many question marks with all of her symptoms — were these just something she had to deal with? Were they a symptom of PCOS? Are these symptoms that she could improve? Is it common in PCOS for lots of other people to have some of these symptoms? We'll go into today a bit about Lauren's story, how she's connected the dots with symptoms she didn’t even realise were PCOS symptoms, how she’s resolved many of these symptoms and what she's still working on as well.  If you’re really feeling like you have a complex case of PCOS and you have unanswered questions about whether some symptoms are actually due to PCOS or not, you’ll find this episode really insightful. This episode is for you if: You’re struggling with hair loss All your doctor has told you to do is go on the pull and come back when you want to conceive You find that your weight is hard to manage no matter how strict you are with nutrition and exercise Some symptoms are confusing you and you don’t know whether they’re PCOS related or not Your periods are really irregular and unpredictable All your doctor has told you is that calories-in-calories-out is king for managing weight gain — but it’s not working for you You’ve found you have what looks like ingrown hairs that can really inflamed and you don’t know what they are — or what to do about them Habit change is something you find quite hard or want more guidance on Some things we cover in this episode: ​​Extreme gut issues with PCOS (terrible IBS, couldn’t even eat out with friends) Understanding and dealing with hirsutism How hormonal birth control affects your PCOS Amenorrhea (missing periods) after coming off contraception Understanding and dealing with hair loss and hair thinning Why your weight keeps going up no matter how much you diet and exercise Resources and References: 1: Treating the root cause 14: The big 3 of hair loss 15: Does hair ever grow back after hair loss?