Fertility Fact: There is no magic regiment or fertility diet that will increase the likelihood of egg meeting sperm. That said there are ways to prep both the female and male body for healthy conception.
Folic Acid
Taking folic acid, or folate, as part of your pre-natal vitamin, has shown to reduce neural defects in unborn children. It is recommended to take a minimum of 400 mcg per day.
Calcium
Calcium is an important part of a women’s healthy diet to improve bone health. Pregnancy can do a number on the female body, and having a good supply of calcium will be necessary while your body is working hard to help your child grow. For women that are lactose intolerant or don’t take in enough calcium throughout the day, can check their pre-natal vitamin label to see if it is included or take a separate supplement.
Iron
When eating for two, a women needs to avoid anemia – which is particularly common in vegetarian moms-to-be. Check your pre-natal or pre-conception vitamin to see if iron is included.
> Read more about pre-natal vitamins.
Caffeine
It is recommended to reduce or limit caffeine intake to one beverage a day while trying to conceive. There have also been studies to show that consuming over 200mg of caffeine per day resulted in twice the miscarriage rate than women that consumed no caffeine. Which is why, at Shady Grove Fertility, we recommend that safest amount of caffeine is zero. Read more about caffeine during pregnancy.
Alcohol
As with most things, there are contradicting studies as to the impact of alcohol on fertility. SGF recommends limited alcohol consumption during while attempting to conceive. And once you are in your two-week wait or achieved pregnancy, it is recommend to completely remove alcohol from your diet.
> Read Dr. Eric Leven’s lifestyle advice for couples with infertility.
Every few months you might read in the news the next great fertility food or fertility diet that will magically help you conceive. While there is no harm in adding in certain foods to your diet just in case it might work, don’t go overboard! Taking too much of anything – including the healthy vitamins that are recommended – is a bad thing. So no need to double up on your vitamins, it won’t have double the impact on your health. And most importantly, talk to your medical team about a healthy fertility diet and lifestyle.
Note: The recipes we share on our “Recipe for Fertility” aren’t designed to improve your fertility rather are posted as good healthy food options while TTC and pregnancy.
To schedule a New Patient Appointment with Shady Grove Fertility please call 1-877-971-7755 or click here.
