Managing PCOS During the Festive Season:

10 Simple Ways to Avoid a December Flare (Without Restriction or Guilt)

If the festive season leaves you feeling anxious about your PCOS, you’re not alone. December can feel like a really challenging month: more social events, extra indulgent foods, celebratory drinks, darker days, later nights and less routine. For many women with PCOS, it can feel like the perfect storm for a symptom flare.

And when you’ve worked so hard on your energy, your cycle, your cravings or your digestion, the fear of slipping backwards can feel huge.

But here’s something I want you to take a deep breath and hear: December does not have to undo your progress. And it does not have to end with you feeling exhausted, bloated or like you’re “starting from scratch” in January.

December Is About Balance - Not Perfection

Anyone who has followed me for a while will know how much I believe in balance. You can enjoy the foods you love and have complete control over your PCOS symptoms. Both can exist together.

I often talk about the 80:20 approach - 80% of the time choosing foods that support your body, and 20% of the time choosing foods that bring you joy.

But December is one of those months where that balance naturally shifts.

Sometimes it's 70:30.

Sometimes 60:40.

Sometimes even a little more.

And genuinely?

That’s okay.

It’s temporary.

It’s needed.

It’s healthy.

Because a healthy lifestyle is not just about nutrition and movement - it’s also about:

Joy

Connection

Laughter

Slowing down

Rest

Being with people you love

You deserve that.

And your mental health needs that.

So instead of fighting December, let’s embrace it - while giving you 10 simple, practical tools to help you avoid a PCOS symptom flare and finish the month feeling grounded, energised and calm.

These are not rules.

They are gentle anchors.

Pick one or two each day - whatever feels doable.

10 Simple Ways to Avoid a PCOS Symptom Flare This December

1. Take your supplements consistently

This is the month where consistency matters more than perfection. If you take inositol and often forget the evening dose because you’re out or tired, take the full dose in the morning instead.

(If you haven’t read my blog on inositol yet, you can find it here.

2. Start your day with a well-balanced breakfast

Breakfast is usually the one meal we have the most control over in December. A blood-sugar-friendly breakfast with protein, fibre and colour sets you up for steadier energy and fewer cravings for the rest of the day. Think eggs + veggies, Greek yoghurt + berries, chia pudding, tofu scramble or overnight oats.

3. Stay hydrated (especially on busy days)

Dehydration makes fatigue, headaches and cravings worse. Aim for 1.5–2L a day through:

• Water

• Herbal teas

• Water between alcoholic drinks

• Carrying a bottle with you

It sounds simple, but it makes a huge difference.

4. Add one portion of fruit or veg to each meal

That’s it - just one. This gives you the fibre and nutrients your body relies on during the busiest month of the year. Order a side salad, ask for extra veg, carry an apple, add berries, add spinach - tiny tweaks that nourish you without effort.

5. Avoid long gaps between meals

This is a big one for PCOS and blood sugar stability.

Long gaps → blood sugar dips → carb cravings → overeating later → feeling out of control.

Please don’t skip meals “to save calories” for a night out - it backfires every time. Instead, pack nuts, fruit, yoghurt pouches, boiled eggs or oat bars. Aim for something small every 3–4 hours.

6. Keep moving - gently

Movement is medicine for insulin sensitivity, mood and energy. And it does not need to be a gym session. Try:

• A 10-minute walk

• Parking further away

• Taking the stairs

• A short YouTube workout

• Walking while on a phone call

It all counts.

7. Give yourself permission to have chocolate in January

The “last supper mentality” is real - and it leads to eating way more than feels good. When you remind yourself that chocolate isn’t “off limits” in January (or ever!), December instantly feels less pressured.

8. Prioritise rest

Rest is hormonal support. Rest is blood sugar support. Rest is emotional regulation. Rest is recovery.

Try to get 7–9 hours where possible, build in phone-free downtime, and let yourself do nothing without guilt. You’re not being lazy - you’re protecting your nervous system.

9. Stabilise your blood sugar before evenings out

Even if you’re having a night of fun and indulgence, you can support your body gently by pairing alcohol or sugary foods with something that contains:

• Protein

• Healthy fats

• Fibre

Examples:

• nuts before bed

• hummus + veg sticks

• cheese + crackers

• yoghurt and berries

This can help reduce cravings, headaches and fatigue the next day.

10. Choose one tiny non-negotiable that grounds you

It could be:

• taking your supplements

• eating breakfast

• a 5-minute walk

• drinking a litre of water before lunch

• switching your phone off by 10pm

• a 2-minute breathing practice

  
  

Your identity drives your habits - so choose one thing that helps you feel like the version of you you’re becoming.

And Remember… You Are Not Starting From Scratch in January

Even if you have a few off days (and you will - you’re human!), nothing is lost. One meal, one event, one drink or one week cannot “ruin” your progress.

Your body responds to consistency, not perfection. Your hormones respond to compassion, not punishment. And your PCOS is far more resilient than you think.

If December feels overwhelming or you’d love more structured support as you move into the new year, my PCOS Rebalance Foundations programme is open through December - and if you join now, you’ll get January completely free inside the group support + weekly coaching calls, so you can start 2025 feeling calm, confident and supported.

But for now? Breathe. You’re doing your best. And you deserve to enjoy this season fully - with joy, balance and nourishment in every sense of the word.