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Dear Quinn,

Thank you for contacting Insulite’s PCOS Support blog.

I think what you are doing is great. Besides helping to prevent diabetes, you should feel much better, having decreased inflammation in your body, more energy and a stronger immune system.

If you are having cravings for sugary food, try to eat the purest form of that food. In other words, if you are craving chocolate, eat a piece of pure dark chocolate rather than chocolate cake. If you want strawberry shortcake, have a strawberry!

For some people, it works to try to understand WHY they are craving sweets in a given moment- is it to alleviate stress, to celebrate, because you are bored, etc. Thinking about the emotional reasons why we eat can help some people control their cravings and modify their eating habits, because you can address the underlying need rather than blindly give in to it.

Sugar is definitely addictive and induces the release of certain feel-good chemicals in the brain (like dopamine). Therefore, don’t beat yourself up about not having enough “willpower” to avoid sweets. There is a physiological reason behind it, and punishing yourself for not having enough willpower isn’t productive. You simply need to find other ways to stimulate those feel-good hormones, like exercise, hobbies, positive interpersonal relationships, job satisfaction, etc.

When you eat less and less sugar, you will notice that even slightly sweet foods actually taste REALLY sweet and are very satisfying, like carrots, rice, sweet potatoes. These would be much better (more nutritious and lower in sugar) choices than refined sugary foods (like cookies, cake, candy).

Some snack ideas include: Avocado half with balsamic vinegar, Celery with 2 tbsp. almond butter or cream cheese, Chicken breast strips, baked/broiled, dipped in olive oil salad dressing , Cottage cheese (1/2 cup), Hard-boiled eggs (1-2), String cheese (skim, 1-2 pieces), Tuna salad (1/2 cup) with celery sticks or whole-wheat crackers, Hummus with celery sticks, cauliflower, broccoli, etc.

Another idea is to get a few low carb cook books that can help. “500 Low-Carb Recipes” by Dana Carpender. She also wrote “How I Gave Up My Low-Fat Diet and Lost 40 Pounds” – the ultimate guide to low carbohydrate dieting.

I hope this information answers your questions. Please don’t hesitate to contact us again with any further questions or concerns.

Best wishes,

Dr. Nicole Kellum, ND

Insulite Laboratories Consulting & Advisory teams

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this email and the Insulite Labs website is for the sole purpose of being informative. This information is not and should not be used or relied upon as medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician, nurse or other qualified health care provider before you undergo any treatment, take any medication, supplements or other nutritional support, or for answers to any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.