5 PCOS Thirst Quenchers

by Amy Medling, founder of PCOS Diva

Do you find yourself driving through Starbucks to get your daily caramel latte? Do you spend your day sipping sweet tea? Or perhaps Diet Vanilla Coke is your choice of beverage. Maybe you drink a “healthy alternative” like Vitamin Water or just add those little Crystal Light packages to your water bottle.

Many of us with PCOS are addicted to sugar and artificial sweeteners. Whether it is the regular Dunkin Donuts coffee we drink in the afternoon or the Gatorade after our our workout – our PCOS bodies are looking for a sugar fix. When you have PCOS it is critical to eliminate or greatly decrease the amount of sugar, high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners in your diet. It may seem impossible at first, but trust me, your taste buds will adjust.If you want to reduce carb cravings, increase energy, feel better and reduce your symptoms – take a look at what you drink during the day.

It goes without saying that you should drink plenty of clean, purified water, (I will write another blog about the benefits of water in the near future) but here are some other beverages that will quench your thirst and a few may even help reduce your PCOS symptoms – imagine that!

1. Make flavored seltzer your “soda”. Eliminate soda – even diet soda. If you want something bubbly try flavored seltzer. Just make sure it isn’t sweetened with artificial sweeteners. I often add a “splash” of juice like 100% grapefruit or 100% cranberry juice.
2. If you drink coffee try to drink it black.If you love coffee like I do, try to wean yourself off sugar or sweeteners in your coffee. I now enjoy my coffee black. Also try to stick to one to two cups of caffeinated coffee a day as caffeine tends to increase cortisol levels. (See post on Cortisol)
3. Drink green tea & spearmint tea. Studies have shown that both green tea and spearmint tea can reduce androgens. Excess androgens cause acne, hair loss and unwanted hair. All summer I have been brewing my own ice green tea and if you need a little sweetener, try a little stevia. Here is a nice list of the benefits of green tea.
4. Flavor your own water. Try a slice of grapefruit or a few frozen raspberries. Put a splash of juice in your water jug. Instead of ordering ice water with lemon in a restaurant, try hot water with lemon. This is my drink of choice these days.
5. Indulge in red wine. If you are going to have an adult beverage make it a glass of red wine. Studies have shown that red wine improves insulin resistance.

My sixth favorite thirst quencher is in a category of its own – smoothies! Next post, I’ll share my favorite smoothie recipes.