What foods will help us get pregnant???

This blog follows on nicely from my last one about myths and rumours, it’s about the different sorts of foods that can help a couple conceive.

The first thing that seems to come up while researching online, is a large list of things that should be avoided, as they decrease the chance of conception. These are:

• Cigarettes
• Alcohol
• Non-Prescription Drugs
• Caffeine (tea, coffee, cola, chocolate etc.)
• Too much Vitamins A, C and D
• Uncooked Meats and Eggs
• Soft Cheese
• Chips
• Crisps
• Foods made with white flour
• Soft drinks and fruit juices

Trans Fats are also something that it is recommended to avoid, as it affects the body’s ability to process sugars, due to its inability to handle insulin. This causes higher blood sugars, which in turn results in decreased fertility. Trans fats are found in a variety of foods, particularly processed and fried foods.

However there is a list of healthy fats sources, which can be eaten and are designed to increase the chance of getting pregnant:

• Avocados
• Olives and olive oil
• Coconut and coconut oil.
• Fresh, unroasted nuts and seeds (about a handful per day)
• Wild caught fish
• Organic eggs

As well as the unhealthy fats, it is also recommended that you avoid processed carbohydrates, again due to the same reason of increased sugar levels.

There are some foods that are naturally rich in complex simple carbohydrates, which are therefore good for the body, and help with fertility:

• Vegetables
• Legumes
• Whole Grain foods
• Nuts and Seeds

It is also important that you maintain high levels of Folic Acid and Iron, these can be obtained through use of supplements or through a range of foods, such as:

•  Lentils
• Chickpeas
• Asparagus
• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Lima beans
• Beets
• Romaine lettuce
• Oranges
• Goji berries
• Spinach
• Lima beans
• Lentils
• Potatoes
• Navy beans
• Avocado

So far its all been for the female, here are a few food tips for the men, to help them increase their fertility. The main theme that seems to be running through is that foods that increase in Zinc levels. Foods that have high levels of Zinc are:

• Oysters
• Beef
• Poultry
• Dairy
• Nuts
• Eggs
• Whole Grains
• Beans

Also anti-oxidants are always beneficial to eat, as they detox the system, however, when trying to get your partner pregnant, they are even better and help with his fertility. Anti-oxidant foods and those which contain vitamins A, C and E, all of which help increase the male fertility:

• Cranberries
• Dried Fruit
• Pomegranates
• Leafy Greens
• Carrots
• Red Peppers
• Apricots
• Orange Juice
• Tomatoes
• Grapefruit
• Broccoli
• Sweet Potatoes
• Nuts and Seeds

Like with females, there are foods that men should avoid, as they will decrease his fertility. These are:

• Fatty foods
• High sugar foods
• High Mercury fish (swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, tuna steak and shark)
• Coffee
• Alcohol
• Non-prescription Drugs

Here are a few things that we have found online. I hope they help you conceive. If you have any suggestions, feel free to comment.