Enhance your fertility with these super foods

If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to conceive this year, Shantah Fertility Centre can help. All of us fought the 2020 corona virus battle very hard. This virus has taken a toll on everyone’s health be it mental or physical. By improving one's fertility health includes this long list of factors, adopting a diet rich in whole foods is a place to start, more specifically, fruits and vegetables. Research has proven that if you are trying to conceive then it is very important for a woman to maintain a healthy lifestyle and being physically fit is of utmost importance as it helps in regaining stamina and rejuvenating the energy level. 

While we all know that diet and exercise help keep our bodies healthy, and healthy bodies are essential for achieving pregnancy, did you know that there are some foods that could help boost your fertility? Add some (or all) of these to your diet this year to potentially improve your changes. Below is a list of super foods that could boost your fertility:  

• Protein based foods: Try and increase the consumption of plant-based protein sources such as beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, and tofu, it may amplify fertility. If you choose to eat animal protein, ensure that all meats and poultry are grass-fed and free-range, and have not been treated with any antibiotics or hormones. 

• Iron-rich foods: Women lose their iron reserves every month during menstruation, but iron is vital for ovulation and keeping eggs healthy. Try adding pumpkin seeds or oysters to your diet for an iron boost. Iron rich foods are chicken eggs, salmon, spinach, broccoli, raisins, peanut butter etc. 

• Vitamic C: Vitamin C not only helps you absorb iron, it can regulate the menstrual cycle for women and increase sperm count for men. Add kiwi and bell peppers to your diet if you don’t want to take a supplement. 

• Flax seeds contain Omega 3 and 6, which help balance hormones. Add this to a fruit smoothie, or your morning bowl of cereal or oatmeal. 

• Dark leafy greens contain folic acid, which can prevent birth defects and help keep eggs and sperm healthy. Add these to your salads or sandwiches.

• Carrots have beta-carotene, which studies suggest could increase sperm motility. 

On the other hand, there are some foods that you should consider omitting from your diet for optimal fertility: 

• Caffeine is a debated topic when it comes to its affects on fertility. Some believe that a lot of caffeine can interfere with implantation in the uterus, so it is best to limit your caffeinated beverage intake if possible, just to be on the safe side. Consider limiting your caffeine intake to one or two cups of coffee per day to be on the safe side.

• Alcohol consumption can negatively affect fertility. However, it’s unclear how much alcohol is needed to cause this effect. 

• Trans fats are associated with an increased risk of ovulatory infertility, due to their negative effects on insulin sensitivity. Trans fats are commonly found in hydrogenated vegetable oils and are usually present in some margarine, fried foods, processed products, and baked goods.

If you have adopted a healthy diet and still have trouble getting pregnant after one year of trying, please schedule a fertility consultation at Shantah IVF Centre located in Vasant Vihar, New Delhi also you can call us on +91 11 41040956 or +91 9958466687 and you can also connect with us through our Facebook page and we will be in touch to arrange a consultation.