Are you planning to have a cute baby? Are you concerned about your diet? What should I have, and what should I not have to get pregnant? If you answer all these questions in “Yes,” then don’t go back. Here, you’ll find a complete list of fertility foods and nutrients before and during pregnancy. Also, you’ll know what you need to avoid for conception. Let’s start your journey to conceive faster.
Foods to Eat for Better Fertility
- Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)
Your best buddy for pregnancy!
Include this evergreen vitamin in your diet if you want your baby to have proper growth and development. Its deficiency can cause severe birth defects in the newborn. That’s why healthcare providers greatly emphasize the intake of folate for childbearing-age women. So, start having this green vitamin from leafy green vegetables, beans, lentils, avocados, etc. Also, you should discuss your daily need for folate with your doctor.
- Iron
You name it, and iron does it! Yeah, I’m talking about wonders.
Don’t forget to have iron-rich foods (lean meats, fish, poultry, etc.) in your diet. Take it with Vitamin C-rich foods to increase its absorption. It’s essential to have adequate iron levels if you plan to conceive. You might be wondering why this is so.
Well, here’s the answer.
You will have healthy ovulation with better and quality eggs. For men, it helps ejaculate healthy sperm. When you’re pregnant, your body’s volume will increase, and if there’s more volume, then there will be more demand for iron for you as well as for your fetus. It reduces your fatigue during pregnancy. It won’t let you get anemic. So, make it your best friend from today.
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Are you a Pisces lover? If yes, then start planning a baby today!
You can get this lovely fatty acid from fish like mackerel, trout, and salmon. But make sure to have fish with low mercury levels during pregnancy. Start taking these fatty acids if you want to avoid any fetal complications and have healthy trimesters.
But what if I’m not a fish lover?
Don’t worry. Omega 3 also has plant-based sources like walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, etc. You can get this from these sources.
- Zinc
Your fertility mineral.
You and your partner should take this mineral from whole grains, nuts, and seeds. For women, it helps in your hormone regulations, giving you better quality eggs for fruitful conception. For men, it helps in healthy sperm and regulating proper testosterone levels.
- Sweet Potatoes
Start having sweet potatoes as your steak’s sideline! Just kidding.
It is a rich source of beta-carotene, essential for your baby’s growth and development. It can help you relieve constipation (a common concern during pregnancy) as it’s high in fiber. If you want healthy reproduction and to enhance your fertility levels, then both of you should try having these sweet potatoes.
- Berries
Do you love berries? You might be craving a smoothie now!
Take these rich sources of Vitamin C to get a healthy reproduction cycle and conceive faster. It makes your immune system strong and keeps you away from infections.
Foods to Avoid For Better Fertility :
- Processed Food
Don’t take foods with high levels of trans-fats and added sugars to avoid gestational diabetes and blood pressure problems. Also, these packaged meals are low in fiber, causing you to become constipated, which you don’t want during pregnancy.
- Alcohol and Caffeine
You have to avoid alcohol and caffeine so that your baby’s health won’t get compromised.
A short friendly note for you:
If you’re planning a child, you and your partner must look after your health first. Eat healthy and nutritious food so that your body can conceive faster and you can carry the little one happily in your womb throughout your pregnancy journey. A healthy diet isn’t just for women. Your partner also contributes to it. So, it is also necessary for him to eat nutritious food to increase the chances of your conception.
Happy Pregnancy!
