Every woman at some stage or another wishes to have a child. However, given today’s stressful lifestyles, it has become extremely difficult for women to conceive. Infertility is a problem that is prevalent in more than a few circles, and is traumatizing women all over the globe.
However, staying educated helps, and knowing that infertility, in case it is unexplained is a temporary phase and with the right changes in lifestyle and medication can be treated to ease the stress you fee about trying to conceive.
There are a few foods that you can include in your diet to ensure that your fertility receives a boost.
Eggs
Eggs are known to be rich in proteins and have various beneficial nutrients like Vitamin D, Vitamin A and choline. Most women however, choose to avoid eggs completely, or they eat only the white of the eggs due to weight issues. However, this is not the right thing to do, as the nutrients are all in the yolk. Vitamin A, which is very essential for reproduction and choline can prevent neural tube defects which may occur during pregnancy.
Kale
Kale and some other cruciferous vegetables are known to contain indole – 3 – carbinol, which is a phytonutrient that has positive effects on estrogen balance. Kale is also known to be a good source of folate and helps prevent neural tube defects. Vitamin C is also known to be an important component of Kale, which is an antioxidant and helps protect eggs and sperms from free radical damage. Other vegetables under the cruciferous banner are: cauliflower, cabbage, arugula and broccoli. These foods are best eaten cooked to facilitate absorption and digestion.
Low-glycemic carbohydrates
Foods like fruits, vegetables and legumes should be consumed as a source of carbohydrates as they have a low glycemic index. Keep starch and grain proportions to a serving of ½ a cup during meals as these can contribute towards a spike in blood sugar levels. Try and keep foods, which have added sugar to a bare minimum. Sugar can lead to weight gain and also cause PCOS, which could lead to hormonal imbalances and infertility as well.
Healthy Fats
Vitamins like A, D, E and K are known to be fat soluble and found mainly within fat in certain foods. So, if your diet is mainly low in fat, getting these nutrients can be very difficult. A lot of women are known to be deficient in Vitamin D and correcting this deficiency could also help improve the menstrual cycle and help with PCOS as well.
Low-mercury fish
While some women may be advised to avoid fish, they should not, as it does indeed have a number of benefits as well especially for people who are trying to conceive. Fish are known to be high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which could help with boosting fertility. However, do not consume fish that are high in mercury. Choose to include fish like herring, sardines, whitefish and salmon in your diet.
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