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Nutritionist shares 10 habits women should avoid when they have health issues like PCOS, UTIs, thyroid, iron deficiency…

Nutritionist Garima Nagpal highlights crucial habits to avoid for women's health issues: iron deficiency, PCOS, and more. Here are her key recommendations.

Updated on: Feb 17, 2026 4:35 PM IST
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Your body is always giving you signals; noticing them and consulting your doctor, who can suggest a treatment plan, can help prevent bigger health concerns. However, when you know the disease, what are the things that you must absolutely avoid to not trigger major health issues?

10 habits women should avoid when they have severe health issues. (Shutterstock)
10 habits women should avoid when they have severe health issues. (Shutterstock)

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In an Instagram post shared on December 31 last year, Garima Nagpal, a nutritionist and dietitian based in New Delhi, listed 10 health concerns commonly found in women and the habits they should avoid due to them.

Women's health – Habits to avoid

In the post, the nutritionist listed several health issues, including iron deficiency, PCOS, severe premenstrual syndrome, hypothyroidism, low libido, recurrent UTIs, vaginal dryness, and more.

“Small daily habits quietly impact women’s health more than we realise. Awareness today can prevent bigger health concerns tomorrow. Your body always gives signals; it’s up to us to listen,” she wrote in the caption of the post. Here are the habits you should be avoiding, according to the nutritionist:

1. Iron deficiency

According to the nutritionist, if you have an iron deficiency, you should avoid drinking tea or coffee within 45 minutes of meals.

2. PCOS worsening

One should avoid consuming high-GI (glycemic index) snacks when evening cravings hit if their PCOS is worsening. According to Medical News Today, a few examples of high glycemic index snacks are white and whole wheat bread, white rice, breakfast cereals and cereal bars, cakes, cookies, sweet treats, potatoes and fries, chips and rice crackers, fruits such as watermelon and pineapple, and sweetened dairy products such as fruit yoghurts.

3. Severe PMS

If you have severe PMS, avoid having a low omega-3 intake throughout the month. Moreover, for you, it would be ideal to increase the dosage, as omega-3 fatty acids are effective at reducing the severity of PMS in women, according to the National Institutes of Health.

4. Hypothyroidism symptoms

Avoid skipping breakfast consistently if you have hypothyroidism symptoms.

5. Hair thinning

The nutritionist also stressed avoiding crash dieting or very low-calorie diets if one's hair is thinning.

6. Vaginal dryness

If you have vaginal dryness, focus on your hydration and avoid lowering your water intake during the day.

7. Recurrent UTIs

If you have recurrent UTIs, avoid holding urine for long periods. According to the Urology Care Foundation, people should avoid holding in pee for extended periods, as it can increase the risk of UTIs.

8. Low estrogen symptoms

Next, the nutritionist warned against the lack of strength training after age 30, as it can worsen your low estrogen symptoms.

9. Acne flare-ups

If you have acne flare-ups, the nutritionist suggested avoiding touching your face repeatedly during stress.

10. Low libido

Lastly, if you have a low libido, avoid using the phone during the evenings as high usage can affect your sleep hormones, thus impacting your libido.

Note to readers: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.

This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice.

  • Krishna Pallavi Priya
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Krishna Pallavi Priya

    Krishna Priya Pallavi is a journalist with over 9 years of experience, covering health, fashion, pop culture, travel, wellness, entertainment, festivals, mental health, art, decor, fitness, and sex and relationships. She is an alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal, and holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi. Her strong academic foundation informs her analytical and detail-oriented approach to storytelling, helping her uncover stories where none seem to exist. Before joining Hindustan Times, Pallavi worked with some of India’s leading media organisations. She spent close to three years at India Today, where she honed her newsroom skills and developed a sharp editorial sensibility. She also worked for over a year and a half at Vagabomb, ScoopWhoop’s feminist digital platform, where she explored stories through a gender-sensitive, socially aware lens. Pallavi has a deep interest in global fashion trends and international fashion seasons, and enjoys interviewing celebrities and tracking pop culture movements—interests that frequently translate into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Alongside lifestyle and entertainment, she has a keen eye for impactful health and wellness journalism, regularly interacting with doctors, designers, and digital content creators to bring nuance and credibility to her work. Born and raised in Haryana, Pallavi remains deeply connected to her ancestral roots in Odisha. Her ability to spot fresh angles brings curiosity and depth to stories she pursues. When not chasing deadlines, she enjoys spending time with her dog, planning her next vacation, reading, running new trails, and discovering new destinations.Read More

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