What Should You Eat While Trying to Get Pregnant
Fertility issues affect
Luckily, there are a few natural ways to increase your fertility. In fact, food choices and lifestyle changes can help boost fertility.
Here are 16 natural ways to boost fertility and get pregnant faster.
Antioxidants like folate and zinc may improve fertility for both men and women. They deactivate the free radicals in your body, which can damage both sperm and egg cells.
One 2012 study of young, adult men found that eating 75 grams of antioxidant-rich walnuts per day improved sperm quality.
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The jury is still out on how much antioxidants will or won't affect fertility, but there's evidence pointing to the potential.
Foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains are packed full of beneficial antioxidants like vitamins C and E, folate, beta carotene, and lutein. Eating more of these healthy foods shouldn't hurt in the effort.
Eating a substantial breakfast may help women with fertility problems.
One study found that eating a larger breakfast may improve the hormonal effects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a major cause of infertility.
For moderate weight women with PCOS, eating most of their calories at breakfast reduced insulin levels by 8 percent and testosterone levels by 50 percent. High levels of either can contribute to infertility.
In addition, by the end of the 12-week study, these women had ovulated more than women who ate a smaller breakfast and larger dinner, suggesting improved fertility.
However, it's important to note that increasing the size of your breakfast without reducing the size of your evening meal is likely to lead to weight gain.
Check out these ideas for healthy, delish breakfast options if you need some inspiration.
Eating healthy fats every day is important for boosting fertility and overall health.
However, trans fats are associated with an increased risk of ovulatory infertility, due to their negative effects on insulin sensitivity.
Trans fats are commonly found in hydrogenated vegetable oils and are usually present in some margarine, fried foods, processed products, and baked goods. Some of the faves, we know.
Studies have found that a diet higher in trans fats and lower in unsaturated fats was linked to infertility for
Following a lower carb eating plan (where less than 45 percent of calories come from carbs) is generally recommended for women with PCOS.
Several studies have indicated that managing carb intake provides beneficial effects on some aspects of PCOS.
Lower carb diets may help you maintain a healthy weight, reduce insulin levels, and encourage fat loss, all while helping menstrual regularity.
Here's a primer on how to eat fewer carbs in a healthy way.
Speaking of carbs: It's not just the amount of carbs that's important, but also the type.
Refined carbs may be especially problematic. Refined carbs include sugary foods and drinks and processed grains, including white pasta, bread, and rice.
These carbs are absorbed very quickly, causing spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels. Refined carbs also have a high glycemic index (GI). The GI tells you if a carbohydrate-dense food will raise your blood sugar significantly.
Insulin is chemically similar to ovarian hormones. These hormones help our eggs mature. Consistent elevated insulin can cause the body to produce fewer reproductive hormones because it thinks it doesn't need it. This can contribute to a lack of egg maturation and ovulation.
Given that PCOS is associated with high insulin levels, refined carbs can make it even worse.
Fiber helps your body get rid of excess hormones and keeps blood sugar balanced. Certain types of fiber can help remove excess estrogen by binding to it in the intestines. The excess estrogen is then removed from the body as a waste product.
Some examples of high fiber foods are whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans. The daily recommended intake of fiber for women is
One 2009 study found that eating 10 grams more cereal fiber per day was associated with a
However, the evidence on fiber is still mixed. Another study of 250 women aged 18 to 44 showed that increasing fiber by 5 g per day
Check with your doctor on your current fiber intake to see if you should be eating more.
Replacing some animal proteins (such as meat, fish, and eggs) with vegetable protein sources (such as beans, nuts, and seeds) is linked to a reduced risk of infertility.
A study showed that when 5 percent of total calories came from vegetable protein instead of animal protein, the risk of ovulatory infertility decreased by
A 2018 study concluded that
Consider replacing some of the proteins in your diet with protein from vegetables, beans, lentils, nuts, and low mercury fish. Try this coconut chickpea curry for a protein-filled dinner.
High intakes of low fat dairy foods may increase the risk of infertility, whereas high fat dairy foods may decrease it.
One large study from 2007 looked at the effects of eating high fat dairy more than once a day or less than once a week.
It found that women who consumed one or more servings of high fat dairy per day were 27 percent less likely to be infertile.
To reap these potential benefits, try replacing one low fat dairy serving per day with one high fat dairy serving, such as a glass of whole milk or full fat yogurt.
This buffalo chicken dip made with full-fat Greek yogurt is divine.
If you take multivitamins, you may be less likely to experience ovulatory infertility.
In fact, an estimated
For women trying to get pregnant, a multivitamin containing folate may be especially beneficial.
Have a chat with your doctor about supplements including any multivitamins that could help get you closer to pregnancy.
Exercise has many benefits for your health, including increased fertility. Increasing moderate physical activity has
The trick is that moderation is key. Excessive high intensity exercise has actually
Excessive exercise may change the energy balance in the body, and negatively affect your reproductive system. If you plan to increase your activity, add it gradually and make sure your healthcare team is aware.
See if your doctor is in favor of you adding these yoga poses to your routine.
If you're trying to conceive, stress is probably on the menu, too. As your stress levels increase, your chances of getting pregnant decrease. This is likely due to the hormonal changes that occur when you feel stressed.
Research on the links between stress and fertility are
Receiving support and counseling may reduce anxiety and depression levels, and increase your chances of becoming pregnant. And don't forget to take time for you.
The association between caffeine and fertility isn't very conclusive.
One older 1997 study suggests that women who consume more than 500 milligrams of caffeine daily take up to
However,
Consider limiting your caffeine intake to one or two cups of coffee per day to be on the safe side. Give these non-coffee options a try.
Weight is one of the most influential factors when it comes to fertility for men and women. In fact, being either underweight or overweight is associated with increased infertility.
This is because the amount of fat stored in your body influences menstrual function. Having obesity especially is associated with lack of ovulation and menstrual irregularity but also with impaired egg development.
To improve your chances of getting pregnant, work with your healthcare provider to try to lose weight if you're overweight and gain weight if you're underweight. They can help you do it in a healthy and sustainable way.
It's time to start pumping iron. The supplement kind, that is. Consuming iron supplements and non-heme iron, which comes from plant-based foods, may decrease the risk of ovulatory infertility.
A recent 2019 study concluded that heme iron (from animal sources) had no effect on fertility and non-heme only had some benefit for women who already had iron deficiency.
More evidence is needed to confirm whether iron supplements should be recommended to all women, especially if iron levels are already healthy. But making sure your iron levels are solid with your doctor is a good step.
Non-heme iron sources are more difficult for your body to absorb, so try taking them with foods or drinks high in vitamin C to increase absorption.
Alcohol consumption can negatively affect fertility. However, it's unclear how much alcohol is needed to cause this effect.
One 2016 study found that having more than
However, the evidence on moderate alcohol consumption is mixed.
Ultimately, avoiding excessive consumption of alcohol is recommended. Talk to you doctor about your own intake to ensure the best outcome for you.
Certain natural supplements have been linked to increased fertility, especially in animal studies. Always check with your doctor before taking of natural supplements as efficacy in humans has not been well studied.
Examples include:
- Maca: Maca comes from a plant grown in central Peru. Some animal studies found it improved fertility, but results from human studies are mixed. Some report
improvements to sperm quality , while others findno effect . - Bee pollen: Bee pollen has been linked to improved immunity, fertility, and overall nutrition.
One animal study found that consuming bee pollen was linked to improved sperm quality and male fertility. However, human studies are still needed. - Bee propolis: A study of women with endometriosis found that taking bee propolis twice a day resulted in a 40 percent greater chance of becoming pregnant after 9 months. More studies are needed.
- Royal jelly: Royal jelly, which is also made by bees, is packed with amino acids, lipids, sugars, vitamins, fatty acids, iron, and calcium.
Animal studies found it may improve reproductive health in rats.
Good nutrition is vital for a healthy body and reproductive system and to help you become pregnant.
Eating a nutritious diet and making positive lifestyle changes can help boost fertility and prepare your body for pregnancy. Plus, it's just helpful to you all around.
If you're trying to get pregnant, it's important that you begin making healthy nutrition and lifestyle choices today. But don't let stress and worry get you down. Talk to your healthcare team to find the best choices for you.
What Should You Eat While Trying to Get Pregnant
Source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/16-fertility-tips-to-get-pregnant