Babies are a joy not just to their parents but also to everyone around them. You want to hold them, play with them, and even give them gifts. However, when couples do not get babies early’, everyone around them gets worried. Neighbours, friends, colleagues, and family become concerned and can sometimes offer the aspiring parents unsolicited advice backed by unfounded theories. This can be rather frustrating and unsettling.
One piece of advice not to neglect is the need to improve your diet, as this can boost fertility. A healthy diet is essential to anyone trying to have a baby. Certain foods are filled with nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that can boost fertility.
In this article, we have listed the types of foods to eat and those to avoid when trying to get pregnant.
Foods you can eat to boost fertility
Foods rich in antioxidants
One answer on how to boost fertility is to take foods rich in antioxidants. These are foods rich in zinc and folate. Antioxidants help deactivate the body’s free radicals, and these free radicals can damage egg cells.
To boost your fertility without hassle, eat fruits, nuts, vegetables, and grains rich in beneficial antioxidants like folate, vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and lutein.
Foods rich in high-fat dairy
Foods rich in high-fat dairy can help decrease infertility. They are a great source of fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, E, D, K, and K2. Yoghurt, cream cheese and whole milk are sources of high-fat dairy.
Egg yolks
Amongst foods to boost fertility is egg yolk. They supply the bulk of egg’s iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folate. Egg yolk contains 100% of the egg’s vitamin A and is rich in fertility-boosting omega-3 fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins A, E, and K2. Eggs are also rich in lean protein, which is good for fertility in women and men.
Foods that are rich in fibre
Fibre-rich foods are the ones to eat when trying to get pregnant. This is because they help remove excess hormones and reward you with balanced blood sugar. Some fibre-rich foods can remove excess estrogen in the body by binding it into the intestines and then removing it as a waste product.
Fibre-rich foods include sweet potatoes, oats, avocados, beans, and vegetables.
Foods to avoid
Reduce carb consumption if you have PCOS
You must monitor your carbohydrate intake if you have polycystic ovary syndrome, which affects fertility. Lower-carb diets help to maintain a healthy weight, encourage fat loss, reduce insulin levels, and help tackle menstrual regularity.
Opt for less refined carbs such as sugary drinks and foods and processed grains like rice, pasta, and bread. The reason is that these carbs are absorbed quickly, leading to spikes in insulin and blood sugar levels.
Do not eat trans fats regularly.
Eating foods rich in healthy fats helps to boost fertility and general health. Trans fats, on the other hand, heighten one’s risk of having ovulatory infertility. This is because they pose negative effects on the body’s insulin sensitivity. If you need foods to eat when trying to get pregnant, foods rich in trans fats are not your best bet. This type of fat is found in hydrogenated vegetable oils. These are present in fried foods, some margarine, and processed products.
Replace animal protein sources with vegetable protein sources
To boost fertility, replace some animal proteins like fish and meat with vegetable protein sources, including nuts, beans, and seeds. Vegetable protein sources reduce your risk of ovulatory infertility.
Avoid raw protein sources.
Taking raw protein foods such as meat, eggs, and seafood is not great for women who want to get pregnant. They are harmful because they contain salmonella and other bacteria that can damage female reproductive organs. Besides, if you make it to conception, these bacteria can infect a fetus when it goes through the placenta. So, ensure that you cook all your protein sources properly if you want to have a baby.
In addition to eating and avoiding these foods, be sure to get rest, take multivitamins, stay active and reduce alcohol and caffeine. Also, remember that your doctor has the ultimate knowledge about what is good for you and how to boost fertility. Book an appointment with a specialist on Doctall to discuss your options.
