Is Cheese Bad for PCOS? (Expert Answer)

Short Answer: Cheese is good for PCOS. Because it has protein, calcium, and vitamin D, which can positively affect your bone health, muscle function, immune system, menstrual cycle, ovulation, hormone levels, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

PCOS is a condition that affects your ovaries, the female reproductive organs that make eggs.

In PCOS, your body produces too much of a hormone called androgen, which can interfere with the normal development and release of eggs.

This can lead to various health problems, such as irregular periods, infertility, acne, excess hair growth, and weight gain.

One of the key factors in managing PCOS is diet.

What you consume can affect your insulin levels, which can impact your PCOS symptoms and overall health. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells use glucose, the main source of energy for your body.

If you have insulin resistance, your cells do not respond well to insulin, and your blood glucose levels can become too high.

To effectively manage PCOS, you should consume low-glycemic index foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, and avoid high-glycemic index foods like white bread, rice, pasta, and sugary drinks.

Low-glycemic index foods can help lower your blood glucose and insulin levels, and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in your body.

High-glycemic index foods can spike your blood glucose and insulin levels, and worsen your PCOS symptoms and risk of complications.

Now, cheese is a dairy product made from milk, which is curdled and separated into solid and liquid parts.

People usually eat cheese as a snack, a topping, or an ingredient in various dishes.

Cheese can be made from different types of milk, such as cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo, and can have different flavors, textures, and forms, depending on the production process and aging time.

Cheese is good for PCOS because it contains protein, calcium, and vitamin D, which are beneficial for your bone health, muscle function, and immune system.

Protein can also help you feel full and reduce your appetite, which can help you control your weight.

Calcium and vitamin D can help prevent osteoporosis, a condition that causes your bones to become weak and brittle, which is more common in women with PCOS.

100 grams of cheese can give you about 26 grams of protein (52% of your daily needs), 721 mg of calcium (72% of your daily needs), and 0.5 mcg of vitamin D (3% of your daily needs).

Protein can positively affect PCOS by helping you build and maintain lean muscle mass, which can improve your metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

Calcium can positively affect PCOS by regulating your menstrual cycle and ovulation, and reducing the risk of endometrial cancer, a type of cancer that affects the lining of your uterus.

Vitamin D can positively affect PCOS by modulating your hormone levels and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in your body.

Furthermore, cheese is a low-lactose food and low-lactose foods are good for PCOS.

Because, lactose is a type of sugar found in milk and dairy products, and some people with PCOS may have lactose intolerance, a condition that causes digestive problems when they consume lactose.

Low-lactose foods, such as cheese, yogurt, and kefir, have less lactose than milk, and can be easier to digest and tolerate for people with PCOS.

You can eat cheese in moderation as part of a balanced diet for PCOS.

More than that can cause excess calories, saturated fat, and sodium, which can increase your risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure.

Stick to one or two servings of cheese per day, which is equivalent to 28 to 56 grams, or one to two ounces, to enjoy the benefits of cheese without the drawbacks.

Also, you shouldn’t eat cheese if you have a dairy allergy, to prevent an allergic reaction.

Because, an allergic reaction can cause symptoms such as hives, itching, swelling, wheezing, and anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.

A dairy allergy is different from lactose intolerance, and it involves your immune system reacting to the proteins in milk and dairy products.

You can buy fresh cheese in your local market or can order it from online.

Always choose cheese that is made from pasteurized milk, which is milk that has been heated to kill harmful bacteria, such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria.

Because, these bacteria can cause foodborne illnesses, especially in pregnant women, children, elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.

You can store cheese in the refrigerator, wrapped in wax paper or parchment paper, or in an airtight container, for up to two weeks, depending on the type of cheese.

Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and essential medical care, is key to managing PCOS effectively.

I always recommend my PCOS patients to follow a PCOS-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.