When you’re trying for a baby you will attempt to do anything you hear will boost your fertility, especially if you have been on the trying to conceive bandwagon for a long period of time. You might have heard that things like yoga, acupuncture, cough syrup, and supplements help your fertility. But what about food? Certain foods are said to boost your fertility and they are definitely worth a try!
Whole fat milk: In recent studies it has been shown that low fat and fat free milk can cause problems with ovulation. To help combat this problem it is recommended that you switch out one cup of skim milk a day for a glass of whole milk.
Iron-rich foods: Studies show that women who get enough iron in their diet have less fertility problems than women who don’t. You can get your iron in a number of ways: leafy greens such as spinach, and lean meat like chicken, are two good options. Another option is to take a multi-vitamin or iron supplement, but getting your nutritional needs through food is always better.
Foods high in Omega 3’s: Omega 3 fatty acids are very good for you, and in turn very good for your fertility. This fat has fertility boosting benefits such as stress relief and regulating reproductive hormones. You can get your omega 3’s by consuming plenty of fish and nuts. Certain enriched eggs also contain this fertility helper.
Whole grains: Eating whole grain breads and other complex carbs is much better for you than eating refined carbs. Refined, processed carbs like white bread often causes spikes in your insulin levels, which can promote fertility issues. Complex carbohydrates, on the other hand, do not cause insulin spikes in the body, which can really help with fertility. On top of this, many whole grain breads are full of vitamins and minerals which also enhance fertility.
Berries: Certain berries can be good for preserving the health of your eggs: something vital when trying to conceive. This is because some berries contain high levels of antioxidants and great nutrients that help prevent aging to your body.
Yams: This food has been known to promote fertility for centuries. In the famous study on the Yaruba tribe in Nigeria, yams were found to be a staple in the people’s diets, and the country has the highest rate of twins in the world. This is because wild yams can cause hyper-ovulation, meaning that you release more than one egg.
According to www.fertileheart.com, yams contain phytoestrogens, weak estrogens that will stop the body’s own estrogen production in women who are estrogen dominant. Yams also contain a form of natural progesterone (dioscin). With women suffering from endometriosis and fibroids, both of which are linked to estrogen dominance, the phytoestrogens and progesterone like properties in yams can help regulate the estrogen progesterone balance .
Water: Last but not least, don’t forget to drink water!!! Our bodies need water in order to maintain healthy functioning. I’m sure you have been told in the past to drink two litres of filtered water per day. Soft drinks, caffeine and alcoholic drinks should be avoided as much as possible as they are unhealthy and definitely do not replace your water intake! You can also drink freshly squeezed fruit juices and herbal teas, as some fruit juices commonly found in th supermarkets have insanely high amounts of sugar.
As you can see, your diet can really help or hinder your fertility. The most important thing to remember is to eat a healthy diet that is balanced and packed full of vitamins and minerals, avoiding fatty and processed foods and eating organic and whole foods whenever possible. Maintaining a healthy weight is also very important because being underweight or overweight can throw off your body’s delicate balance and fertility may be sacrificed. So have fun eating these foods to promote fertility!
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