A Healthy Diet for Conception
Fertility Foods For Conceiving and Pregnancy
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For trying-to-conceive women, a healthy diet and lifestyle is particularly important, because healthy babies start before conception.
For both women and men, a "trying-to-conceive" lifestyle begins with a balanced diet, regular exercise (see your doctor regarding a safe exercise regimen), and avoiding unhealthful habits like smoking, drinking alcohol, and eating "junk" foods (particularly processed foods rich in refined sugars). If you are overweight, consider consulting your doctor regarding a safe diet and exercise regimen that will support your trying-to-conceive efforts.
As you likely already know, eating a well-balanced diet while your are trying to conceive and through pregnancy is central to the health of a developing baby, as well as the the health of the mother-to-be. For dads-to-be, men can ensure optimum sperm health, sperm count, and sperm motility by decreasing or avoiding alcohol, not smoking, and eating a balanced diet. Supplements like FertilAid for Men [4] offer antioxidant formulas to supplement a healthful diet. Infertility issues strike men as frequently as women, so a healthy lifestyle is equally important for the dad-to-be.
For women, eating foods rich in antioxidants and folic acid is highly recommended, especially folic acid during preconception and early pregnancy. Foods containing these nutrients include broccoli and green leafy vegetables. Folic acid has been shown to reduce the chances of birth defects, and supplements specially formulated with folic acid are advised. (For trying to conceive women, FertilAid [5]offers folic acid.)
Mineral deficiency may also be a concern, so eating foods that contain minerals like iron, zinc, and calcium are important. Eating a variety of healthful foods is the key. A balanced diet is important because different minerals and vitamins require the presence of each other for optimal intake. Try to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables to ensure sufficient intake of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The "Just Right" formula of FertilAid for Women [5] is designed to supplement a healthful diet (and avoids potentially excessive doses of certain vitamins and minerals that can be found in other multivitamin products).
If you have unique questions regarding a healthy diet and lifestyle, you may wish to consult a doctor or a dietician. If you have a pre-existing medical condition and/or are using prescription drugs, consult your doctor before trying-to-conceive or supplementing your diet with nutritional-herbal supplements. FertilAid for Women [5]and Fertility Blend are advised for preconceptional use, and if you are pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant, discontinue use of any herbal products or switch to a prenatal vitamin like Dr. Grunebaum's Pregnancy Plus Prenatal [6].
Balance Your Diet - A Guide for Trying-to-Conceive and Pregnant Women
Foods to Use!
Folic acid, as many women already know, is important in preventing birth defects. Foods rich in nutrients, antioxidants, and folic acid include citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, and fortified cereals.
Walnuts and almonds are beneficial in providing zinc, calcium, and magnesium. Omega-3 fatty acids [7], found in fish like Salmon, support pregnancy health as well.
While trying-to-conceive, consider organic products (vegetables, fruit, and milk) and free-range meat and poultry. Organic and free-range products will decrease intake of hormones, pesticides, and other potential environmental toxins.
Foods to Avoid!
Avoid unpasturized, blue, or soft cheeses, soft eggs, or undercooked meats and poultry, which may present a risk of food poisoning.
Avoid foods that contain very high levels of vitamin A such as liver or cod liver oil. Look for prenatal vitamins or fertility supplements that use Vitamin A as beta-carotene only.
Avoid foods that may cause allergic reactions, particularly if there is a history of food allergies in your family. A top offender here is peanuts and peanut oil-based foods and creams.
Avoid smoking, alcohol, and too much caffeine. Smoking has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage (among many other health risks) and alcohol and caffeine may prevent the absorption of important minerals. If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, it is advised to avoid drinking alcohol.
Related Articles
> Fertility Tea [1]: An Herbal Tempest in a Teacup
> Fertility Supplements [2]: A New Era in Infertility Therapy
> Fertility Herbs [3]