A Dietitian's 7-Day Meal Plan for Balancing PCOS

As a dietitian who specializes in PCOS, I know how challenging it can be to figure out what to eat. So I’ve created this done-for-you 7-day PCOS meal plan to take the guesswork out of eating for hormone balance, weight loss, and symptom relief. This plan features balanced macronutrients, anti-inflammatory foods, metabolism-boosting recipes, and grocery lists to set you up for PCOS success.

Amazon: "The PCOS Diet Cookbook: Strategies and Recipes for Overcoming PCOS Symptoms, Maximizing Fertility, and Improving Overall Health."

Why Follow a Meal Plan for PCOS?

PCOS is a complicated condition, but emerging research shows just how much diet and lifestyle changes can improve symptoms:

  • Eating to balance blood sugar reduces androgen levels and inflammation. This helps restore ovulation and fertility [1].
  • A healthy diet that enables weight loss of just 5% body weight can restore menstrual cycles [2].
  • Nutrient-dense meals enhance insulin sensitivity, reduce risk of diabetes, and support egg quality [3].
  • Anti-inflammatory foods decrease risk for heart disease and mood disorders common in PCOS [4].

But figuring out what to eat with PCOS can seem totally overwhelming at first. A meal plan takes away the stress of constant meal decision making. By creating a PCOS-friendly nutrition blueprint to follow each day, it makes it so much easier to stay on track with your goals.

So skip the diet confusion and follow this proven 7-day plan!

How to Use This 7-Day PCOS Meal Plan

Here’s a quick overview of how to maximize this plan:

  • Eat every 3-4 hours. Don’t skip meals or go too long without eating. Steady mini-meals balance blood sugar.
  • Follow the meal plans. I’ve provided complete daily menus with balanced nutrition.
  • Make batch meals. Recipes make 2-4 servings. Cook ahead so meals are grab-and-go.
  • Modify as needed. Swap out meals based on preferences, calorie needs, vegetarian eating.
  • Use the shopping list. Stock up on healthy staples you’ll need for the week ahead.
  • Drink water. Stay hydrated with water and herbal tea between meals.

With meal planning done for you, it’s easier than ever to eat right with PCOS! Now, let’s get to the recipes…

Day 1

Breakfast: Veggie Scrambled Eggs

  • 2 eggs, spinach, tomatoes: 346 calories

Snack: Berry Smoothie

  • 1 smoothie: 252 calories

Lunch: Mason Jar Salad

  • With chicken, greens, nuts: 398 calories

Snack: Carrots and Hummus

  • 15 baby carrots, 2 Tbsp hummus: 137 calories

Dinner: Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

  • With veggies, tortilla: 409 calories

Dessert: Greek Yogurt with Berries

  • 1 cup yogurt with 1 cup mixed berries: 232 calories

Total Calories: 1,774

Day 2

Breakfast: Overnight Oats

  • 1 serving: 383 calories

Snack: Hard Boiled Egg

  • 1 egg: 71 calories

Lunch: Lentil Soup

  • 1 serving homemade soup: 340 calories

Snack: Apple Slices with Peanut Butter

  • Sliced apple, 2 Tbsp peanut butter: 258 calories

Dinner: Sheet Pan Teriyaki Salmon

  • 4oz salmon with broccoli: 360 calories

Dessert: Small square 70% dark chocolate

  • 1 square: 170 calories

Total Calories: 1,582

Day 3

Breakfast: Veggie Eggs Benedict

  • 1 serving: 243 calories

Snack: Cottage Cheese and Fruit

  • 1⁄2 cup cottage cheese with pineapple: 180 calories

Lunch: Massaged Kale Salad

  • With chickpeas, avocado: 399 calories

Snack: Energy Bites

  • 2 homemade bites: 200 calories

Dinner: Zoodles with Turkey Meatballs

  • 3-4oz turkey meatballs with zucchini noodles: 394 calories

Dessert: Chia Seed Pudding

  • 1 serving: 120 calories

Total Calories: 1,536

Day 4

Breakfast: Pumpkin Protein Pancakes

  • 2 small pancakes: 220 calories

Snack: Turkey Roll-ups

  • 3oz turkey with cheese slice: 257 calories

Lunch: Vegan Buddha Bowl

  • Tofu, quinoa, roasted veggies: 397 calories

Snack: Celery with Almond Butter

  • 4 celery stalks with 2 Tbsp almond butter: 208 calories

Dinner: Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken

  • Chicken breast with green beans: 345 calories

Dessert: Berries with Whipped Cream

  • 1 cup mixed berries, 2 Tbsp whipped cream: 132 calories

Total Calories: 1,559

Day 5

Breakfast: Veggie Frittata

  • 1 wedge: 173 calories

Snack: Chia Seed Pudding

  • 1 serving: 120 calories

Lunch: Cobb Salad

  • With chicken, egg, avocado: 399 calories

Snack: Dark Chocolate Rice Cake

  • 1 rice cake with 1 square chocolate: 132 calories

Dinner: Bunless Greek Turkey Burgers

  • With oven fries: 524 calories

Dessert: Frozen Banana Nice Cream

  • 1 serving: 256 calories

Total Calories: 1,604

Day 6

Breakfast: Tofu Veggie Scramble

  • 1 serving: 180 calories

Snack: Sliced apple with 1 Tbsp peanut butter

  • 1 medium apple, 1 Tbsp peanut butter: 198 calories

Lunch: Quinoa Taco Salad

  • With ground turkey, peppers: 397 calories

Snack: Roasted Chickpeas

  • 1⁄4 cup roasted chickpeas: 104 calories

Dinner: Sheet Pan Honey Glazed Salmon

  • 4oz salmon with Brussels sprouts: 330 calories

Dessert: Coconut Chia Pudding

  • 1 serving: 156 calories

Total Calories: 1,365

Day 7

Breakfast: Green Protein Smoothie

  • 1 smoothie: 279 calories

Snack: Hard Boiled Egg

  • 1 egg: 71 calories

Lunch: Mediterranean Tuna Salad

  • Over mixed greens: 319 calories

Snack: Celery with Nut Butter

  • 4 celery stalks with 1 Tbsp almond butter: 130 calories

Dinner: Veggie and Bean Enchiladas

  • 1 enchilada with veggie filling: 348 calories

Dessert: Frozen Grapes

  • 1 cup grapes: 104 calories

Total Calories: 1,251

PCOS Diet Shopping List

Grab this list and stock up on healthy staples for the week ahead!

Produce: spinach, kale, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, broccoli, green beans, Brussels sprouts, carrots, celery, zucchini, berries, banana, apple, avocado

Protein: eggs, chicken breast, ground turkey, salmon fillet, tuna, lentils, chickpeas, tofu

Dairy: Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese, almond milk, coconut milk

Nuts/Seeds: slivered almonds, peanut butter, chia seeds, almond butter, pumpkin seeds

Whole Grains: old fashioned oats, quinoa, brown rice

Seasonings/Oils: olive oil, sesame oil, garlic, cumin, chili powder, balsamic vinegar

Meal Prepping Tips for PCOS

Here are my top tips for meal prepping success:

  • Cook 2-4 servings of recipes at once for quick leftovers
  • Prep ingredients ahead of time by chopping veggies, marinating proteins, etc.
  • Cook a big batch of quinoa or brown rice for the week
  • Wash and prep produce when you get home from the grocery store
  • Portion out snacks like nuts, energy bites, cut vegetables
  • Keep cooked proteins, grains and produce in the fridge for fast meal assembly

Start this 7-day plan and take control of your PCOS once and for all! What are you waiting for? Your hormonal balance and metabolism are waiting for some nutrition TLC.