Fertility is the ability to get pregnant, and it’s different for every woman. Some women conceive in their first month of trying, while it takes years of cycle tracking for others. Many factors affect your ability to get pregnant, and your diet is a significant one.
What you eat is essential to many components of your health, and the same is true when you're ready to get pregnant. Your diet should involve a lot of healthy foods, while you may want to cut out alcohol and other processed items.
If you're ready to have a baby, New England Women's Healthcare is here to help you every step of the way. Our board-certified OB/GYN doctors provide tips and tricks to help you get pregnant as quickly as possible.
Your diet plays a role in various aspects of your health. From your heart to your reproductive system, what you eat affects just about everything. When you're ready to get pregnant, eating the proper foods is essential in boosting fertility — but why?
The body absorbs nutrients from the foods you consume, including essential vitamins. These vitamins and nutrients are vital to your health and your odds of getting pregnant.
While your diet isn't the only aspect of your health that affects fertility, it's one you can control. Eating a healthy diet in the months leading up to conception not only helps you stay healthy but also affects the wellness of your baby.
If you want to kick your fertility up a notch, make sure you're taking a good prenatal vitamin for all of the necessary vitamins needed for conception.
Whether you've been trying for months or are just embarking on your fertility journey, some foods may help things along. Our team suggests eating the following four foods to boost conception odds for a healthy baby:
Lean cuts of meat are essential for fertility because they contain iron, which is vital for conception. Choose meats like lean turkey, chicken, or pork tenderloin for optimal success.
However, it's possible to overdo protein intake, so make a healthy swap occasionally for a plant protein like beans or tofu.
Whole dairy products are a great way to boost your fertility and help your bone health. If you're trying to get pregnant, drink a glass of milk, eat a bowl of yogurt, and even have cheese in moderation.
It's better to choose low-fat options over full-fat, especially if you're trying to watch your weight — but don't be afraid to splurge once in a while for a glass of whole milk if you want.
Whole grains are an excellent option for fertility because the body takes longer to process them, eliminating unpredictable blood sugar spikes. Complex carbohydrates include vegetables, beans, fruits, and whole grains.
Avoid refined carbohydrates when possible, as they cause an increase in blood sugar and insulin levels, which can affect fertility.
Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries are full of antioxidants that are essential for fertility. The critical component in berries is their ability to prevent cellular aging and damage, which is crucial for your egg health. Any berries will do, but blueberries and raspberries are the absolute best.
Just as there are foods you want to consume when trying to conceive, there are also foods you should avoid. Our team advises you to cut back or cut out these things when you're ready to get pregnant:
It's a good idea to cut back or cut out alcohol when you're ready to get pregnant. It not only prepares you for nine months of not drinking but also lessens problems if you get pregnant and don't know it yet.
Too much caffeine is detrimental to your ability to get pregnant quickly. If you drink more than two cups of coffee or five sodas daily, your chances of conception decrease significantly.
Sugary processed foods such as baked goods or complex carbohydrates aren't the best choice when trying to get pregnant. These foods promote blood sugar and insulin spikes, which may cause weight gain and prohibit conception.
Processed meats not only affect female fertility, but male fertility as well. Foods like sausage, deli meats, hot dogs, and beef are high in sodium and other fillers that may prohibit conception.
If you're ready to get pregnant, choose lean cuts of meat and fish over processed meats for optimal success.
To find out more about your diet and fertility, call our team at our Woburn or Wilmington, Massachusetts, offices or request an appointment on the website.
