Can’t Get Pregnant? The Fertility Foods and Drinks Your Diet MUST Include

Are you and your partner REALLY trying to get pregnant, but it just isn’t happening for you? Maybe it’s time you considered the importance of a healthy diet. Small changes in what you eat and drink can be the difference between conceiving a much-desired baby, or not.

Life-giving Water

You don’t need to drastically overhaul your diet to improve fertility levels, but one single thing you SHOULD do is the most simple thing to change: drink more water. Why? Because drinking a minimum of eight cups of water a day helps increase your fertility levels, as well as having other all-around health benefits.

If drinking so much water is not your ‘cup of tea’, try that very alternative – a cup of herbal tea. A minimum of two cups a day can DOUBLE your chances of conceiving. That’s because herbal teas contain antioxidants that contribute to a healthy immune system, which in turn improves your chances of getting pregnant. Green tea or orange pekoe tea are recommended but experiment with alternatives that YOU enjoy.

In general, eat low-fat, high-fiber foods. They improve your hormonal balance which is fundamental when you are trying to conceive.

Put Color In Your Diet

Start eating more brightly colored fruits and vegetables. They are nutrient-rich and full of folic acid and vitamin B – essential supplements for healthy ovaries and sperm. Good examples to consider are blueberries and red peppers.

Fruit and vegetables also contain iron and vitamin C. Both improve the quality of sperm, whilst vitamin C also enhances the immune system. So be sure to include plenty of citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits in your diet.

Ever considered becoming a vegetarian? A recent University of British Columbia study offers compelling evidence why it should be a serious option in your attempts to improve your fertility and attempt to get pregnant. The study showed that vegetarian women ovulated normally more than 95 percent of the time. That’s a tremendous strike rate that could greatly improve your chances of getting pregnant.

Wholesome Whole Grains

Another ‘must-have’ food to include in a healthy fertility diet are nutrient-rich whole grains. These include pasta, brown rice, whole wheat bread, cereal, and oats. Whole grains are rich in vitamins B and E which help boost your energy levels. Vitamins B and E are essential for cellular reproduction, production of healthy eggs and sperm, and hormone balance.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends a daily intake of whole grains of about 6 ounces. In simple terms, that’s equal to a bowl of cereal for breakfast, a couple of slices of whole wheat sandwich bread at lunch, and a serving of whole wheat pasta for dinner.

Go Nuts!

Nuts, legumes, seeds, and tofu contain natural plant protein – healthy fats relatively low in calories. Being over (or under …) weight can seriously jeopardize your chances of getting pregnant. Low-calorie foods help you shape up and lose those few extra pounds that may be preventing you from conceiving. Nuts and whole grains also contain vitamin B6 and folic acid which further boost your fertility levels. Get a taste of chickpeas, lentils, peas, black beans, and baked beans.

Two more healthy legumes are Brazil nuts and pumpkin seeds. Both are rich in zinc which, together with selenium, greatly enhances testosterone levels and sperm production. Selenium also helps reduce the possibility of miscarriage in women and is also found in garlic.

Something Fishy

Omega-3 – most commonly found in fish oil – helps fertility as it is linked to healthy hormone function. For vegetarians, an omega-3-rich alternative is avocado.

Good sources of iron and selenium are seafood, meat, and poultry. Be cautious of mercury levels in fish. Women trying to get pregnant can safely eat up to 12 ounces a week of low-mercury fish, such as shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, mackerel, sardines, and catfish. However, avoid fish with high mercury levels. These include canned white tuna, fresh or frozen swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, tuna steaks, shark, Spanish mackerel, marlin, and grouper.

Keep Things Balanced

A healthy, well-balanced fertility diet should include five servings of fruit and vegetables, two to three servings of dairy and protein products, plus five to six servings of grains. This will ensure you take in all the vitamins and minerals your body – and hopefully, your growing baby – needs every day.

Finally, experiment with how much and how often you eat. Three full meals a day can be heavy on the stomach and lead to constipation, bloating, and all manner of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)-related troubles. Rather than eating three large meals a day, it may be more beneficial to eat six smaller snack-like meals a day.

Take these tips on board and you will be well on the path to increasing your fertility levels and achieving the pregnancy you so desire.