First things first: what is Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS)?
According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health, at least 1 in 10 women have PMOS. Formerly known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PMOS), PMOS is a common condition that is caused by an imbalance of the hormones that regulate ovulation. It can lead to irregular periods, excess hair growth, weight gain, and infertility, or if not consistently monitored or managed, it can also lead to type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases.
The good news is PMOS is a very treatable condition. One of the best ways to treat this condition is through diet and lifestyle changes. It can be challenging for someone with PMOS to rely on available resources on the internet as they often provide confusing and contradictory nutritional advice.
That’s where a PMOS nutritionist can help. Whether you are trying to lose weight or trying to get pregnant, or simply trying to live the healthiest lifestyle possible, a PMOS nutritionist can help you develop an eating and lifestyle plan specifically catered to you and your health goals. There are many different health hurdles that a registered PMOS nutritionist can help you overcome, including:
A PMOS nutritionist will provide you with nutrition education about PMOS, recommend dietary supplements that may improve your condition, and help you create a personalized meal plan based on your needs and symptoms.
The first session with your nutritionist will typically last between 45 and 90 minutes. The purpose of the initial consultation is for your nutritionist to learn more about your current and past medical history and assess your current eating and exercise habits.
The number of follow-up sessions you have with a nutritionist will be based on your medical needs and goals. For instance, if one of your goals is to lose weight, regularly meeting with a PMOS nutritionist may be beneficial so they can alter your meal plan as needed and support you along the way. Follow-up sessions may also include furthering your nutrition education, monitoring your supplement use, meal planning, and support with eating issues.
The main distinction between registered dietitians and nutritionists lies in the credentials for these two roles. In order to gain a certification, a registered dietitian must have a bachelor’s degree with coursework approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Accreditation for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, as well as supervised experience at an accredited healthcare facility, community agency, or food service corporation. All registered dietitians must also have passed a national exam given by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
It’s important to remember that not all nutritionists have the same level of education or amount of professional experience. In the United States, anyone who practices giving general nutrition advice can call themselves a nutritionist. While some nutritionists are experts in their field, others have received little to no training. A Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) is the most advanced certification for personalized nutrition practitioners.
All of the nutritionists at Top Nutrition Coaching are registered dietitians, so you can trust them to be the most qualified experts to meet your needs.
After you begin working with a PMOS nutritionist, dietitian, or health coach, there are several red flags that you should keep an eye out for, particularly when it comes to weight loss. If your healthcare professional begins to exhibit any of these telltale signs, it may be time to start searching for another PMOS expert.
One of the most important things you will do with your PMOS nutritionist is create a healthy eating plan. Your meal plan will inform what foods you eat on a day-to-day basis, which means that it should also appeal to your taste preferences and favorite foods.
If your dietitian or nutritionist is forcing you to eat salmon three times a day, and you hate salmon, this is not a plan that you will stick to. Allowing for flexibility in your diet means you can create sustainable and incremental changes, which is the best way to ensure long-term health progress.
Fad diets continue to crop up in various forms. If your nutritionist is encouraging you to slash entire food groups, this is an immediate red flag. If your nutritionist is giving you this type of nutrition advice and asserting that it's professional medical advice, it most likely means that they do not have the credentials that they claim to have.
Regardless of what meal plan you are on, hunger should not be an issue. If the meal plan that you have created with your dietitian is constantly leaving you hungry, this is a big warning sign.
Every meal plan created by dietitians and nutritionists should include a wide range of foods and sufficient calories, including carbs, fruits and vegetables, lean sources of protein foods, and healthy fats. If you are consuming too little, this may be your nutritionist’s way of trying to get you to lose weight quickly and unhealthily.
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