Are you trying to conceive but not having much luck? I’ve heard from so many women who are struggling to get pregnant. I usually tell them it’s a good idea to start with a visit to your gynecologist for a full workup to check your hormone levels and any other medical issues that could be causing infertility. But you may also want to check what’s inside your fridge.
That’s because the foods you eat can make a difference in your ovulatory function. According to a Harvard Medical School study on diet and fertility involving 19,000 women, eating certain foods and avoiding others can improve ovulatory function. If you’re struggling to conceive, it’s time to become a Warrior for your fertility.
Here are some of the basics about food and fertility:
Load up on fruits and veggies. In women with the lowest intake of fruit, the incidence of infertility rose from 8% to 12%, according to a study from the University of Adelaide. Produce is high in glutathione, and research from JBRA Assisted Reproduction shows this antioxidant improves egg quality by shielding eggs from damage caused by oxidative stress.
Eat more plant-based protein and less animal protein. The risk of ovulatory disorders is slashed in half when just 5% of the calories you consume come from plant-based proteins rather than animal proteins, according to a study from Harvard.
Opt for plant-based fats. Avocados, nuts, olive oil, flaxseeds, and other plant-based fats can reduce inflammation, which has been recognized as a contributing factor in reproductive dysfunction.
Eat more seafood. A study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism showed that couples who ate more seafood got pregnant faster than couples who ate less seafood. Couples who ate just two or more 4-ounce servings of seafood—such as salmon, shrimp, or tuna—took less time to conceive.
Forget fast food. In the University of Adelaide study, women who ate fast food four or more times per week saw their risk of infertility double from 8% to 16%.
Skip sugary drinks. Drinking sugar-laden sodas and energy drinks are associated with reduced fertility, according to a study in Epidemiology. Consuming seven or more sodas a week caused an even bigger drop in fertility.
Good nutrition is critical for fertility, a healthy pregnancy, and for a baby’s brain development. An easy way to get more plant-based protein, fruits and veggies, and plant-based fats is to make nutrient-dense smoothies, like the following one from The Brain Warrior’s Way Cookbook*.
Read more here: Folic Acid V Folate.
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