You, and your chances of getting pregnant faster, are what you eat. So, fill your belly with the right foods and a prenatal vitamin to boost your fertility. In addition, avoid foods that may decrease your chances of conceiving.
Fertility-Friendly and Non-friendly Foods
First, there is no need to stress too much about specifics. As long as you eat nutritiously, you are likely fueling your fertility. If you eat a lot of fast food and junk food, you are probably doing the opposite. Now, let’s get specific!
Do Eat Dairy
Dairy products are great to add to your preconception diet because they contain calcium. Calcium is good for bone health and ensures your reproductive system’s proper functioning. But avoid unhealthy dairy items like ice cream.
If you cannot eat dairy because you are lactose-intolerant or for other reasons, you can incorporate other calcium-rich foods into your diet. A few examples are almonds, sesame seeds, calcium-fortified juices, green leafy vegetables, tofu, and other soy products.
Lean on Lean Animal Protein
Lean animal protein, such as skinless turkey and chicken breast, eggs, seafood and lean beef, is full of iron – a vital nutrient in boosting fertility. Upping your iron intake during the preconception period increases your fertility rate.
However, avoid high-fat meat like bacon and don’t overdo animal protein because even too much lean protein can decrease fertility instead. Instead, go for a maximum of three servings, or better yet, swap out one of those three daily servings for a serving of plant protein like beans, quinoa, or tofu. And if you are a vegan, make sure your prenatal vitamin includes iron.
Speaking of meat, liver is excellent because it is a fantastic source of folate, choline, all your B vitamins and loads of antioxidants, including inositol.
Fatty Fish are Swimming in Fertility-Boosting Benefits
Fatty fish like sardines, herring, and salmon (preferably wild) boast high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, facilitating increased blood flow to reproductive organs and regulating reproductive hormones.
If you do not like fish, you can get your fix of omega-3 fatty acids from other foods, too, like almonds, walnuts, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, avocados and enriched eggs.
Chomp on Complex Carbs
Be picky about the carbohydrates you consume. Go for the complex kind, such as beans, whole grains, brown rice, fruits and vegetables. Avoid the refined varieties like white rice, white bread, sugary treats and refined cereals.
Why? Complex carbs digest more slowly and do not cause blood sugar and insulin levels spikes as refined carbs do. Increased insulin levels can mess with the menstrual cycle by disrupting reproductive hormones. Furthermore, complex carbs provide a healthy dose of folic acid – one of the most pro-pregnancy nutrients of all.
Zinc-Rich Foods
Oysters are the most concentrated source of zinc, which is crucial for conception. In addition, zinc deficiency can slow the production of good-quality eggs and disrupt the menstrual cycle. Not a fan of oysters? It’s ok! Zinc can be found in poultry, beef, eggs, dairy, nuts, legumes, and whole grains – albeit in smaller amounts.
Yams and Other Yummy Plants
Yams may contain an ovulation-stimulating substance, and they are super-rich in fertility-friendly vitamins.
Iron-rich foods like leafy greens (collard, spinach and kale), peas, lean buffalo and beef, oatmeal, and dried apricots keep you from developing anemia. Women who are anemic tend to have a hard time getting pregnant because iron deficiency disrupts their menstrual cycles.
Bright colored produce such as berries, pomegranates, mangos, carrots, red peppers, beets and sweet potatoes are high in antioxidants, meaning they’re a critical element in your baby-making effort. To really boost your chances, load your partner’s diet up with antioxidant-rich foods, too, because they make sperm swim faster.
Asparagus is full of folic acid, a critical nutrient for women trying to get pregnant. One cup contains over half of your daily recommended dose and 100% of your daily amount of vitamin K. Plus, it also has the antioxidant glutathione, which improves egg quality.
Bee pollen is great for both male and female reproductive health as it promotes sperm quality and boosts female fertility.
Watermelon is a dependable source of glutathione, which helps alleviate heartburn, swelling, morning sickness, and third-trimester cramps. It also helps male fertility because it contains the antioxidant lycopene, which helps sperm motility.
Want to know more? Or are you still having trouble trying to conceive? Contact Neway Fertility today to schedule a consultation. We offer exceptional care for those seeking solutions to fertility challenges.
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