The saying “you are what you eat” is true in several ways. However, it’s an especially important motto to remember when you’re trying to conceive or are already pregnant. Your diet could directly influence your fertility. That’s why it’s important to understand how to work this to your advantage.
Are you and your partner trying to conceive and want the best chances possible?
Here are some easy health tips to begin with.
- Include Whole Grains and Protein in Your Diet
You’d be surprised at the number of whole-grain items that can easily become part of your daily diet. Try out cereals, quinoa, and different forms of rice to get a healthy intake. If you want to have carbs like bread and pasta, search for whole-grain versions of those too. Seven servings of whole grains a day should be enough to get you the nutrients a mother-to-be needs. Half a cup of pasta or rice will constitute one serving while one serving of bread is a single slice.
It’s also a good idea to have a couple of servings of protein each day. Pick from your favorite options; your protein could come from eggs, legumes, lentils, lean meat, fish, poultry, and beans. From these, you should ideally be eating two servings of fish a week.
- Look For More Fortification
Make sure you get about seven or eight servings of vegetables and fruits every day. It’s best if they’re fresh. But feel free to use frozen, dried, or canned varieties if there’s no other option.
In addition to consuming the food groups above, there are several other steps you can take to fortify your body and enhance your fertility. These include dairy foods such as yogurt, cheese, milk, etc. Go for low-fat versions if you don’t want all the fattening properties of the regular varieties. If you plan to breastfeed, it’s wise to consider taking help from a group like the Nest Collaborative breastfeeding support.
Other fortifying foods include red meat and some kinds of breakfast cereals. When you eat these in moderate amounts, they can build up the body’s iron resources to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
- Maintain The Recommended Weight
Your weight is also an important factor when it comes to conceiving and carrying a baby to term. It’s best to stick to the recommended weight range before you even try to have a baby. Any gynecologist in Dallas or elsewhere will agree on this point.
Being in the wrong weight range can negatively affect your likelihood of conceiving. That’s because obese women tend to ovulate less often and with unpredictable frequency.
You also don’t want your baby to be too big or too small. So, you should maintain your weight accordingly. If things seem too difficult to manage on your own, it’s time to consult a dietician.
- Get Moving
Regular exercise will work wonders for your physical and mental health. So, try incorporating it into your routine as much as possible. You may start small, for instance, by walking more briskly to your workplace each day. Another option is to take the stairs whenever possible or just jogging whenever you get a moment.
If you lack motivation, join a group or seek out an accountability partner. The latter will remind you to carry out your workout regime. You can return the favor as well. Download a step-counting and calorie counting app and sync up your devices with your friend to see how both of you are doing.
The Takeaway
The concept of a healthy diet simply consists of eating a wide and balanced range of foods. Stick with fresh and whole ingredients whenever possible and follow the tips above to boost your fertility. Hopefully, you’ll soon be looking at that positive pregnancy test!