The Optimal Fertility Diet

People usually wonder how the food they choose to eat affects their ability to have children. We live in a society where pregnancy and related stress originate from societal pressure and family expectations. Therefore, the stress of not having a child by a certain age leads to more emotional and physical rupture for both men and women. Consequently, this messes with reproductive hormones and makes it difficult for a couple to have kids naturally. So, along with a rich and healthy diet, leading a stress-free and self-satisfying life is crucial to keeping fertility issues at bay. It is also required to understand that even the most beneficial diets can’t cure the more severe conditions that cause male and female infertility. For example, if there's a fallopian tube blockage preventing the sperm from fertilizing an egg, dietary changes are never going to do anything to fix that blockage. Luckily, such cases can be helped by services such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) provided by fertility experts.

That being said, the impact of diet and lifestyle choices on fertility should never be ignored. Whether with fertility treatments or followed exclusively, healthy diet modifications can substantially positively affect fertility.

The food we consume and the nutrients with which we nourish our bodies directly affect our health. A lack of vital nutrients can slowly lead to severe health issues and even affect the fertility quotient. Therefore, it is vital to pay the necessary attention to what we eat and how.

• Plant-based foods, such as fresh whole fruits and vegetables

• Seafood rich in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon

• Whole grains and raw nuts

• Legumes (beans, lentils, etc.)

• Extra virgin olive oil (monounsaturated fat)

• Simple or refined carbs.

• Trans-fats

• Highly-processed foods

• Alcohol

• Caffeine intake (more than 500mg per day).

Women trying to get pregnant should start adjusting their diet before conception (ideally three months). This may involve supplements that aim to ensure that essential nutrients, including folic acid, iron, B-vitamins, and vitamin D, are at optimum levels.