The food that you and your partner consume in the months prior to conception may be one of the most important things you can do for the future of your new baby.
Science has overwhelmingly proven you can dramatically influence the health and development of your baby and your fertility by the foods you eat and the food you choose to avoid.
Here is a basic fertility food guide to get you started….
1. Â ALCOHOL
Avoid completely, except for the special occasion drink.
2. Â CAFFEINE
Avoid completely. This includes tea, coffee, Coca Cola, chocolate, sweets flavoured with coffee. Drink herbal teas, Caro, Echo, Cereal based substitutes.
3. Â WATER
Drink 8 – 10 glasses of purified water per day. Spring water and rain water is fine. Only soda water no mineral water it has too much salt.
4. Â TAKEAWAYS
Keep takeaways to a minimum, save it for special occasions. Most have too much fat, salt, sugar and empty calories – not what we want for healthy eggs and sperm. This includes – fish and chips, pizza, hamburgers, yiros, Chinese, Hungry Jacks and McDonalds, Pizza Hut etc.
5. Â GRAINS
Choose wholegrains only. This includes brown, wholemeal, whole-wheat bread and pasta and crisp breads and brown rice. Coloured pasta has been bleached or dyed. The more refined a product is the less nutrients that they contain.
6. Â SUGAR
Avoid consuming sugar and sugar containing foods. They only upset blood sugar levels, add unnecessary calories, fat and often preservatives and colours. Watch out to avoid lollies, cordials, soft-drinks, buns, cakes, biscuits, excessive fruit and fruit juice intakes. Try not to use artificial sweeteners as they contain chemicals and defeat the purpose of being on a chemical free diet.
7. Â FRUIT
Try to have three pieces per day, any fruits and if possible ORGANIC. If this is not possible wash fruits well and peel if possible as chemicals reside in the outside skins of fruit.
8. Â VEGETABLES
Try to eat five servings per day. They should also be ORGANIC if possible. Wash or peel if not possible. Try a combination of colours ie a green broccoli, a yellow squash, a white potato and an orange pumpkin. Try to have lots of raw vegetables as the vitamin content is higher. Cooking methods should be steaming.
9. Â PROTEIN
Try to have a variety of protein ranging from meat, fish, eggs, nuts, beans, tofu, lentils and seeds.
Meat – red meat 3 x per week – fresh meat if possible.
White meat 2 x per week – free range if possible.
Fish at least three meals per week. – deep sea if possible.
