It’s been suspected for millennia that certain foods had the power to help women conceive children faster and easier. And while our ancient ancestors may not have been quite right in which exact foods functioned as life giving fertility foods, they were very much correct that certain foods do indeed have the power to increase a couple’s chances of conceiving a child.
Click here for delicious Fertility Foods and Meal Plans.
Firstly, there are several myths floating around that I’d like to dispel. One is that fasting or dieting by both males and females will help in the fertility process, and this is not true, and in fact may inhibit the chances of conception. On the opposite end of the spectrum, eating too much can also be detrimental. It’s recommended to maintain a regular, balanced diet, while substituting a few great fertility foods in over your normal food choices.
For women, it’s fertility foods that center around improving their immune systems first and foremost, as this has been shown to greatly increase their chances of conception. Women can do so through healthy teas, and foods rich in vitamin C. Another good choice is vitamin B6, which acts as a regulator of the reproductive hormones. Lastly is calcium, a promoter of strong bones, also important before and during conception.
You may be thinking that eating good fertility foods applies only to women, but there are several foods that males should consider eating as well when a couple is trying to conceive. For men, oysters are an optimum fertility food, helping males increase their semen production as well as their blood testosterone levels.
An alternative to fertility foods in some instances would be dietary supplements. In the above example for men, oysters are highly recommended for their high levels of zinc. If the male would rather attain his zinc intake through supplements, that’s certainly a viable choice, though getting your nutrition directly from foods is usually the ideal method. Consult with your doctor(s) before taking multivitamins which provide 100% of your recommended intake of many different vitamins and minerals, as these may cause you to take in too much of said supplement, which could also be harmful.
Other recommendations for men as far as fertility foods and supplements go, include the intake of vitamins D and E, as well as a high intake of calcium. These choices can help improve the mobility of sperm, among other things.
Just as there are several great fertility foods available that can help you conceive quickly, there are also several foods you should avoid at all costs while trying to get pregnant. Women should avoid alcohol whenever possible. Some studies have shown that alcohol consumption can reduce the chances of conception by as much as 50%. In fact, men should avoid alcohol as well, and both males and females should avoid caffeine consumption as well, though a little caffeine may also help males with their sperm mobility.
If you’re interested in delving further into the connection between fertility foods for both men and women, and their effect on the body and the fertility process, I highly recommend Pregnancy Miracle by Lisa Olson. This exhaustive repository of knowledge on how to get pregnant includes a detailed section on fertility foods, and as a bonus, the package comes complete with a recipe book as well. It’s an invaluable resource for any couple seriously looking to increase their chances of getting pregnant in a safe and natural way.
Click here for delicious Fertility Foods and Meal Plans.