Getting pregnant for some can be easy and others can have a difficult time. Sometimes it’s a matter of eating the right foods and treating your body the best way you can. Some women also find that getting pregnant is as easy as tracking their cycles. One way to do that is to download an app on your phone in order to see when you have your period, your usual cycle length and when you are ovulating. If you are not one for either a smartphone or apps, the Menstrual Cycle Calculator site[1], where you can enter how long your period was, when your most fertile period is (so that you can optimally plan when to have sex), and when to anticipate your next period, or take that pregnancy test. Sites like that can be helpful to also get a lot of information regarding what can also affect your body, your cycle and your fertility.
guest post by the talented: Stella Hawar
That’s why you’re here today. You are trying to get pregnant and maybe having some trouble and want to try more natural routes before you go medicinal routes. First things first, relax, because being stressed can have the effect of changing your bodies cycle and ovulation. Easier said than done, that’s understandable. But you have to consider that the more relaxed you are, the better able you are to get pregnant, your body is more receptive. And in that same aspect, we can also work on what to eat to help your body become a prime place for getting pregnant. Let’s look at some of the foods that you might want to add to your diet to help improve your fertility.
Get your Protein from More Vegetable Sources
We all know that protein is essential to a healthy body in general terms. However, the kinds of protein that you eat can be just as important, if not more so, to getting pregnant. According to Healthy Women, vegetable proteins help to decrease the risk of ovulatory infertility by more than 50 percent. [2] You may be thinking what kinds of vegetables and plant foods provide protein. Some of the best forms of vegetable proteins can be[3]:
- chia seeds (2.5 grams per tablespoon)
- edamame (2-21 grams per half cup)
- hemp seeds (3.3 grams per tablespoon)
- quinoa (4 grams per ½ cup)
- sprouted bread (4 grams per slice)
- amaranth (4.67 grams per ½ cup)
- hummus (1.1 grams per tablespoon)
- buckwheat (3 grams per ½ cup)
- spinach (5 grams per cooked cup)
- tomatoes (6 grams per cup)
- beans (7-10 grams per ½ cup)
- lentils (18 grams per cup)
This isn’t a conclusive list, there are plenty more including yogurts, eggs, peanut butter (but you probably already knew that) that have a good amount of protein in them that don’t include meats. Many incorrectly believe that those on a vegetarian or vegan diet don’t actually get enough protein, but there are plenty of sources that can provide a lot of protein that is far healthier than their meatier counterparts. Indulge in some of these and search Pinterest for some amazing recipes and you could be well on your way to welcoming a new addition.
Eat Some High Fat Dairy
It’s been shown that low-fat dairy products show a decrease in a woman’s fertility. Walter Willett, M.D. did a study at Harvard School of Public health that showed just that and the more full-fat dairy they ate, the more likely they were to get pregnant.[4] While throwing caution to the wind is not okay, meaning an entire pint of ice cream daily, it is recommended to replace one serving of low-fat dairy with one serving of high-fat dairy.[5] Maybe switch out your low-fat yogurt for one that is made with whole milk instead. You could even have a glass of regular chocolate milk.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is something is told to people for a multitude of reasons. Especially when you get pregnant you want to keep hydrated. Not staying hydrated enough can affect the amniotic fluid where the baby lives causing problems. But that’s after you get pregnant. Before you get there you have to stay hydrated as well. One of the reasons for drinking more water is that the more hydrated you are, the more fluid your cervical mucus is which helps the sperm get to the egg. The same goes for your significant other, the more fluid he drinks, the more fluid that the sperm has to get to its intended target.[6] Plus the more fluids you have now, the more you will have to go to the bathroom, which also means that you will be prepared for all those late night wakeups because the little bundle is sitting on your bladder.
Vitamin Rich Foods and Supplements
While you have to choose your vitamins and supplements correctly, you should be ingesting them. Many prenatal vitamins are for those trying to get pregnant, during pregnancy and after pregnancy to help the body heal and produce healthy breast milk. Generally, iron supplements and folic acid added to the diet can help reduce ovulation-related infertility. [7] A Harvard study showed that the amount of folic acid should be at least 400 micrograms. These women were 40 percent less likely to have those issues.[8]
Put Down the Venti
If you don’t know what a venti is, it’s the largest coffee size at Starbucks. While this is a list as to what you should eat, it would be remiss to not tell you what to avoid. While a moderate amount of caffeine on a regular basis isn’t going to completely, high intake of caffeine can interfere with conception. According to one researcher, two cups per day (regular sized cups, about 5 oz each) is the limit.[9] More than that can affect fertility.
Certain Kinds of Seafood
You get not one in this portion of the list but three (kind of). The first: Salmon. Salmon is one of those foods that rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. What these do is regulate blood flow to those all-important reproductive organs.
Oysters, when sources from the right place and cooked well (although you can eat them raw, you should be sure where you get them because they can contain diseases), however, they contain high levels of zinc which can help increase your production of high-quality eggs (also important for getting pregnant). [10]
This one you may or may not consider seafood, however, seaweed is something that you could add to your diet as well. Crunchy seaweed is really good, a little salty (considering where it came from) but extremely flavorful. The nutrients that seaweed contains can help enrich organs such as the liver, kidneys, bladder and adrenals, all which help to improve your fertility if they are working properly. [11]
One thing that you’ll want to consider however when it comes to the fish you are eating is where you get it from. While many will say to avoid sushi and raw fish, eat at your own discretion, make sure it’s fresh and that it is coming from a reputable place. Also, avoid fish that could be high in mercury, these include swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, and shark [12]
Berries
Berries are really good for you in general with some of them being considered superfoods. They are a great fertility boosting food because of their antioxidant content which helps to prevent damage to the eggs as well as aging which the better quality the eggs, the better your chances of getting pregnant.[13]
Other Fruits and Vegetable
While there are a lot of fruits and vegetables on this list, there are a few that you could also add to that list. Bananas are high in vitamin B6 which helps improve the hormones that are essential for egg development. Brussels sprouts and asparagus contain folic acid which reduces the risk of issues with ovulation.[14] In reality, adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet is good for you in general.
Bottom Line
Getting pregnant can be a difficult task for some. While these are foods that can help boost fertility, increasing your consumption of these and other healthy foods can help to manage a healthy weight or bring your weight to a healthy range, which when it isn’t can affect the ability to conceive. The healthier your body is, the more likely you are to conceive. And that doesn’t go only for the woman, but for the man as well. The healthier he is, the healthier his sperm is. So you both should take these tips and run with them and go from there.
Author:
Stella Hawar is a writer and a mother of an adorable boy who likes to practice yoga, cook and visit the theatre. Currently she’s working as a content manager at menstrual-cycle-calculator.com website which helps women understand their menstrual cycle and pregnancy by providing different calculators and resources.
