The diet to conceive faster – is there a ‘fertility diet’?
Is there such a diet that will actually help you to conceive faster? Well, yes and no.
No, there is never a diet plan that can guarantee your success in getting pregnant.
Yes, the diet to conceive faster is basically and simply good nutrition and health habits, both of which play a vital role in preventing or reversing infertility related to ovulation problems, thereby increasing your chances of getting pregnant.
Based on a well-respected, long-term research, the Harvard Nurses’ Health Study, below are some of the fertility-boosting diet strategies to help a woman’s effort to conceive. Their suggestions are based on the link found between what the female nurses ate and whether they became pregnant.
The Fertility Diet: Groundbreaking Research Reveals Natural Ways to Boost Ovulation and Improve Your Chances of Getting Pregnant
Carbohydrates
The results from the Nurses’ Health Study suggest that it is not the amount of carbohydrate intake, but the quality of the carbohydrates, that affects fertility. Eating too much of the easily digested carbohydrates, or known as fast carbs, including white bread, potatoes and sugared sodas, increases the risk of ovulatory infertility.
On the other hand, slowly digested carbohydrates that are rich in fiber, such as whole grains, vegetables and whole fruits, can improve ovulation and your chances of getting pregnant.
Protein
Getting more protein from plants and less from animals also helps to prevent ovulatory infertility. The Nurses’ Health Study found that women who had the highest intake of animal protein were 39% more likely to suffer from ovulatory protein than women who ate the least animal protein. The women who ate mostly plant protein were the least likely to have infertility due to ovulation problem.
So, eat more protein from plants and less from animals. For example, you can add one serving a day of beans, peas, tofu or soybeans to your daily diet.
Fats
Avoid trans fat in your diet, as they may increase the likelihood of developing ovulatory infertility. In the Nurses’ Health Study, the largest decline in fertility among women was seen when trans fats were eaten instead of monounsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats, on the other hand, help to improve fertility.
It is recommended to eat as little as possible of trans fat – less than 2 grams per day. If possible, eliminate them from your diet altogether. Trans fats are found in foods like doughnuts, margarine, and other processed foods.
Vitamins and minerals
When mention about the diet to conceive, preconception vitamins are essential. Take multivitamins that contain folic acid. A high intake of iron is also important, but the iron must come from fruits, vegetables, beans or supplements, not red meat.
Dairy food
The Nurses’ Health Study found that a daily serving of a full-fat dairy food, such as whole milk, ice cream, or cheddar cheese, have help increased a woman’s chances of getting pregnant. You may add whole milk to your cereal instead of using skim milk, or replace a low-fat yogurt with a full-fat one. The maximum amount of ice-cream to have is two half-cup servings a week. However, don’t go overboard and indulge in these foods without guilt.
The above is just a small part about the diet to conceive and to prevent ovulatory infertility in women. They don’t guarantee a pregnancy more than IVF or other forms of ART do. The advantage is that they are low cost, easily available and have no side effects. And the health benefits can be appreciated beyond just getting pregnant.