Why Your Daily Diet Matters to Fertility Health?
Among the various factors that influence overall fertility health, one is the diet that you ingest in your everyday life. Over and over again, medical research and studies have proven that the health implications of fertility-diet include optimal reproductive functioning.
Diets rich in unsaturated fats, vegetables, whole grains, minerals and fish are closely linked with improved fertility health in women and men. Similarly, there is evidence that consumption of saturated fats, dairy, sugar, alcohol, caffeine, etc., has a strong relation with poor fertility outcomes.
How Does Diet Affect Fertility?
When it comes to fertility health, the kind and amount of food you include in your diet plan daily plays a significant role. Various studies have been convened to determine whether there is any co-relation between an individual's eating habits and the effects of diet on fertility.
The studies establish that the type of food you consume has the potential to either enhance your fertility level or reduce it significantly. Apart from considering fertility treatments, having a healthy diet increases your likelihood of conceiving. Doing so also contributes to the development of the foetus in the womb once conceived.
What Are the Impacts of a Healthy Diet on Fertility?
Are you wondering how healthy eating improves fertility? If so, you should understand that your body needs a range of essential nutrients for the healthy functioning of your reproductive system. Some essential nutrients include antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, hormones, etc. For example, intake of a sufficient amount of folic acid (400 micrograms) can help women greatly in maturing eggs before ovulation and DNA replication.
The health implications of fertility-diet are affected by foods containing fresh fruits and vegetables rich in dietary nutrients. Make sure to consume intact foods of organic nature that are free from dangerous pesticides and herbicides. This is because ingesting such chemicals can impact your fertility level adversely. Keeping yourself well-hydrated is equally important in the effective functioning of your reproductive system and fertility health.
What Is the Impact of an Unhealthy Diet on Fertility?
Intake of an unhealthy diet can negatively affect your ability to conceive. Problems related to fertility and repeated miscarriages have equally been related to an unhealthy diet selection, weight-gain, and high blood sugar in many individuals.
Almost every fast food, including pre-packaged food items that people love today, contains trans fats. These can affect the general ovulatory cycle of women.
Did you know that fatty foods can also have a distressing impact on sperm health and its count in men? Therefore, it should be a priority when planning to conceive to cut down on such foods or avoid them altogether.
Adding Omega-3 fats to your daily diet is a good choice if you are going through fertility problems. It is no secret that smoking and alcohol intake can negatively impact fertility health, so it is best to avoid them.
Which Foods Are to Be Avoided in a Fertility Diet?
Following are the list of foods you must avoid during a fertility diet. They are:
- Trans Fats: Foods enriched with trans fats, including cakes, chips, fried foods, etc., must be avoided. Such foods can cause insulin resistance, thereby leading to inflammation and reducing fertility.
- High-Glycemic-Index Foodstuffs: If you and your partner are trying to conceive, avoid foods that can cause a blood sugar spike. It means that your blood sugar will rise suddenly and fall instantly after eating. Blood sugar spikes affect hormones and hamper ovulation, adversely affecting reproductive health.
- Low-Fat Dairy: Stay away from low-fat dairy food items such as milk, yogurt, etc., as they cause your body to generate more androgens, thereby affecting your menstrual cycle.
- Soda: Research has shown that soda plays a vital role in diminishing positive health implications of diet-fertility. In addition, there are many soft drinks with various chemicals that you need to avoid in order to enhance fertility.
- Excess Alcohol: If you and your partner are trying to conceive, you should avoid consuming alcohol. Especially, the woman who will get pregnant must avoid it strictly. However, if you desire to drink, keep it within a limit.
What Are the Tips for a Successful Fertility Diet?
Here are the following tips that you must keep in mind while considering the health implications of diet-fertility. You should eat healthy foods like whole-wheat bread, white pasta, brown rice, fresh green vegetables, etc., and maintain a well-scheduled daily routine. The tips you have to follow are:
- Eat a substantial breakfast
- Take antioxidant-rich foods
- Consume refined carbs (including rice, grains, and bread)
- Consume more fibre
- Eat protein-enriched vegetables (beans, nuts, and seeds)
- Stay away from trans fat
If you desire to get pregnant, you must maintain a healthy diet and nutrition while considering the health implications of diet-fertility. However, you are recommended not to take any stress as it can cause negative effects on fertility health. Moreover, you can consult your healthcare provider in case of any problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why maintaining a healthy diet is important for conception?
Maintaining a healthy diet is vital, particularly when you are pregnant or desiring to become pregnant. It is because the development and nourishment of your baby depends on the right amount of nutrients you provide them.
Which foods help in improving fertility?
You must retain a proper eating standard when you become pregnant or try to get pregnant. If you consume junk foods during your pregnancy, it will affect your ability to conceive. Hence, you should go for healthy foods like a diet high in unsaturated fats, vegetables, whole grains, and fish helps in improving fertility.
Can you diet while trying to conceive?
When you are trying to conceive, maintaining a healthy BMI is important. However, follow a healthy diet plan that provides you sufficient nutrients while trying to prevent weight gain.