The fertility diet: Eat right to get pregnant
Various studies have proved that some changes in our daily diet can increase the chances of healthy ovulation, prevent miscarriage, and support a healthy pregnancy. The healthier you are, the better your chances of becoming pregnant. And don't think that this is just about you - your husband can join in too because what he eats and drinks can affect the quality of his sperm.
1. Eat organic vegetables and fruits
Work on producing mother nature's multivitamin. Fruits and vegetables provide a wealth of vitamins and minerals, and they also provide many micronutrients like antioxidants. Get the most nutritional bang for your buck by buying brightly colored fruits and vegetables, like blueberries, red peppers, and kale. Restock your fruit bowl and aim for eating about two cups of fruit and three cups of veggies a day.
2. Pump up on iron
If your periods are particularly heavy, then you need to include iron-ich food. Bleeding every month is a constant source of iron depletion. Load up now because once you're expecting, your body has difficulty in maintaining its iron stores as your baby siphons the mineral from you. Too little iron at the beginning of pregnancy can put you at a big risk. Some of the iron-rich foods are eggs, whole meal bread, baked beans, fortified cereal, dried fruits such as apricots, figs, and green vegetables.
3. Have a small bowl of full-fat ice cream
Here’s the good news, you can eat ice cream! It’s found that a daily serving of a full-fat dairy food, such as whole milk, ice cream, or cheddar cheese, increases a woman's pregnancy odds. This doesn't mean that you can consume as much as she wants. You can try a small amount, but certainly shouldn't go overboard.
4. Don't drink alcohol frequently
An occasional glass of wine or a bottle of beer probably won't reduce your chances of conceiving. Just make sure you aren't pregnant when you imbibe, because alcohol can harm a developing fetus. Women who suffer irregular cycles generally have trouble in conceiving, so they should avoid alcohol altogether.
5. Drink a lot of water
Be sure to drink sufficient amount of water daily. It is best to avoid bottled waters as some of the plastics in the bottle can contribute to hormonal imbalance due to their estrogen mimicking chemicals. Water should be treated with reverse osmosis and distilled. Avoid tap water as many recent studies have shown tap water to be laced with harmful pesticides from agricultural runoff.
6. Keep an eye on non-vegetarian food
a. If you eat fish, eat only cold water fish: Fish provides important essential fatty acids (omega 3) to our diet. Fish is also a great source of protein and vitamin A. Avoid large deep water fish due to their potential concentrations of mercury and focus on cold water fish.
b. Avoid conventional non vegetarian food: Conventionally raised cattle contain high levels of hormones and antibiotics. Grass fed meats, on the other hand, are a great source of essential fatty acids, are low in saturated fat, and are a great source of protein.
c. Organic chicken is best: Like red meat, conventionally raised chicken is full of antibiotics and hormones, which can have negative effects on hormonal health. When shopping for chicken, look for the words 'cage free', 'free range', or 'organic' on the label.
Natural Fertility Diet - A Checklist
a. Eat green, leafy vegetables such as chard, spinach, broccoli, and cauliflower.b. A bowl of salad with a wide variety of vegetables and fruits is a great fertility booster.
c. Make sure that you include fiber with each meal like vegetables, beans, seeds, nuts, and grains.
d. Get a dose of essential fatty acids every day.
e. Your diet should be rich in whole grains like brown rice, oats, spelt, and millet.
f. Eat at least three servings of fresh organic fruits in a day.
g. Drink fresh juice daily. Drink one green juice every day.
h. Drink plenty of water daily.
Benefits of a Natural Fertility Diet
a. Helps body to function at its best.b. May help to support egg health.
c. Supports the body towards hormonal balance.
d. Provides the body an abundance of nutrients.
e. May decrease chances of a miscarriage.
f. Builds nutrient storage for pregnancy.
g. Supports a healthy reproductive system.
h. Promotes energy and vitality.
