Eating For Fertility

Fertility is a mystery that has been revered and celebrated since the beginning of civilization. Nearly every ancient culture called upon their fertility gods and goddesses for help when it came to conceiving children. Along with deities and folklore there have also been special diets for women and men seeking the miracle of conception. From eggs, figs, and even certain animal organs many cultures have sought to increase the chances of fertility with food. Some of these “old wives tales” actually have merit, and today we have nutritional and fertility science to help back up those claims. Here are few foods that can aid you in your fertility journey.

There are many factors that contribute to infertility. This list of foods is not guaranteed to cause conception, nor improve your overall health. It is simply a group of foods that have been proven to help the body conceive by enabling a healthy environment to be established. Certain conditions can inhibit fertility and no amount of eating will be able to make a difference, however hormonal therapies and other treatments may. If you have having difficulty conceiving, do not hesitate to call our fertility center in Viera for testing and diagnosis.   

Like all the other organs and systems in your body, your reproductive system requires the right amount and types of nutrients to thrive. To create a favorable environment for a healthy pregnancy a healthy woman can choose to eat foods that do not inhibit ovulation. Unfortunately, there are many environmental and dietary factors that can inhibit the process of ovulation.  If a woman’s ovaries are able to mature an ovum and release it to her uterus without problems, the chances of her conceiving are high. She can achieve reproductive health by eating her way to fertility.

Healthy Fats

Healthy fats are very important for fertility mainly because fat cells in women called adipocytes produce estrogen. Estrogen is essential for readying the uterus for implantation of an embryo and for enabling the maturing of the ovum itself. Choosing to eat healthy fats instead of polyunsaturated, saturated, and trans fats, can help boost your fertility by enabling your body to maintain a healthy weight and a healthy menstrual cycle. Healthy fats include: Avocados, omega-3 fatty acids found in walnuts and fish, almonds, whole dairy products, olive oil, and seed and nut oils.

Vegetables

Eating your vegetables is extremely important when you are hoping to become pregnant. In fact, skipping on one serving of animal protein and replacing it with proteins found in plants, such as beans, nuts, or peas, can help reduce your body’s inflammation and promote healthy menstruation and ovulation. Eating a diet rich in fresh vegetables also provides your cells with the nutrients and vitamins it needs, such as iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin D, for healthy cell function and replication, which comes in handy when a baby is developing inside. Vegetables dense in protein and helpful compounds include: Soybeans, peas, nuts, beans, spinach, tomatoes, beets, and pumpkin.

Whole Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates get a bad rap, however choosing the right types of carbs can help your body regulate the sugars you consume. Certain carbs slow down your digestion, enabling your liver, pancreas, and gallbladder to regulate your blood sugar and insulin properly. It is very difficult to become pregnant when these organs are unwell because they also affect the release of other hormones besides insulin. Whole carbs that can help your body facilitate fertility include: Quinoa, whole grains, fibrous vegetables, whole fruit, oatmeal, beans.

The Multivitamin

You may have heard of many women who take a prenatal vitamin even though they have not conceived yet. This is a wonderful idea because it provides the body with all the nutrients it needs to facilitate a healthy pregnancy. If a healthy body knows that it has all the right levels of nutrients, fats, proteins, and hormones the chances of conception are elevated. By taking a multivitamin you are providing your body with all the vitamins it needs to begin the process of ovulation and hopefully the creation of life.

Eating for enhanced fertility boils down to eating for a healthier you. Increasing whole fruits and veggies, taking a multivitamin, and eliminating bad fats in place of good fats can help your body get ready to conceive. While eating a healthy diet can increase your body’s ability to become pregnant, there are many other factors that can cause infertility. If you have any questions about why you and your partner are unable to build your family, schedule an appointment at Viera Fertility Center today! We can wait to get you started on your journey.