Embarking on the journey to parenthood is an exciting time, but it also comes with a new level of awareness about your diet and lifestyle choices. As we all know, fertility is complex, as numerous factors play a pivotal role in an individual’s or couple’s ability to conceive. Here comes the role of nutrition as it plays a great role in fertility, as we need to think about what type of food should be part of our diet and preparation.
As it turns out, good nutrition is key to fertility.
If you’re planning to get pregnant, eating a healthy, balanced diet will help you stay well throughout pregnancy and be good for your baby’s health. In this article, we will delve into a deeper understanding of foods to avoid when trying to conceive and its importance of having a clean diet during pregnancy.
You might have noticed that whatever you eat affects everything from your heart to your reproductive system, as it influences every aspect of your body. When you are trying to get pregnant, it is significant to eat proper food for boosting fertility, but here comes the question: how and why?
Your body absorbs all the nutrients found in the food you consume, which includes vitamins and minerals. These nutrients are vital for your health and your odds of getting pregnant. While you have to control your diet as it’s not only an aspect that affects your fertility, controlling on eating habits affects the most.
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.
The first step that is mostly recommended for couples is reducing and eliminating alcohol at the time of trying to conceive. Having excess alcohol can lead to disruption in hormone levels among men and women, making the ovulation process irregular and reducing the quality of sperm. Furthermore, drinking at the time of pregnancy, intentionally or unintentionally, affects early fetal development negatively. So, it’s best to avoid alcohol entirely when trying for a baby.
Having everything in moderation doesn’t affect your body and mind. Thus, moderation is a key with caffeine. Having a high level of consumption of caffeine (more than two cups of coffee) is linked to decreased fertility and increased risk of miscarriage. It is recommended that both men and women are encouraged to reduce their intake of tea, coffee, energy drinks, and sodas as they are planning to conceive.
Ultra-processed carbohydrates and processed sugar, such as sugary drinks, white bread, baked goods, and many packaged snacks) spikes insulin levels and blood sugar levels. These swings interfere with the hormone levels and make it harder to conceive, especially for women who are prone to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Rather than having these, you should focus on whole grains and high-fiber foods to stabilize blood sugar.
It is recommended that you focus on lean and unprocessed sources of protein, such as fish, chicken, and turkey, and plant-based protein like beans and lentils. Studies have shown that processed meats are rich in sodium, nitrates, and added hormones, such as sausages, salami, bacon, deli meats, and hot dogs. They can negatively impact both male and female fertility, affecting sperm quality and hormone balance.
Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that remains in your system for months and affects your body significantly. Different types of fish, such as swordfish, marlin, shark, and large tunes are consists of mercury and can affect fertility in both parents as well as harm a developing baby. Thus, it is recommended to avoid the intake of such fish and choose safe seafood such as salmon, sardines, and shellfish instead. Always be mindful of recommended intake and sourcing, focusing on varieties lower in mercury.
Fruits are considered to be healthy, mostly, and a few are best if they are avoided when trying to conceive, such as
Full-fat dairy products may harbor pesticides and contaminants that accumulate in milk fat. Moreover, unpasteurized cheese and milk also pose a risk of bacterial infections, which also affect fertility and cause complications during early pregnancy. Thus, you need to opt for low-fat pasteurized dairy or alternatives like fortified plant-based milk.
You should always prioritize seafood and ensure that it is fully cooked and sourced safely. Smoked seafood can contain harmful bacteria or parasites, making it unsuitable for those trying to conceive or during pregnancy. Always ensure seafood is fully cooked and sourced safely.
With the above aspects, another aspect that you need to consider is diet sodas, as they contain artificial sweeteners and aspartame. These affect your sperm quality and quantity negatively, so it is best to avoid them by both partners during their preconception and fertility treatment.
Smoking not only lowers sperm count and causes DNA fragmentation in sperm but can also reduce ovarian reserve and disrupt hormone levels in women. Quitting smoking is essential for both partners prior to conception and for overall reproductive health.
Some of the following tips could help you in having a better nutritional diet plan if considered-
In summary
Food plays an integral part, and planning your diet thoughtfully while trying to conceive sets the stage for having a healthy pregnancy and enhances your natural fertility. Having a knowledge of certain foods to avoid creates a meaningful impact on your fertility journey, such as avoidance of alcohol, high-caffeine items, processed meats, certain fish, and specific fruits. If you are not sure or worried about your fertility planning or diet plans, you can consult our healthcare provider or fertility specialist at Aveya IVF centre for your personal assistance and personalized guidance as per your pregnancy.
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