Eating Healthy During Fertility Treatment

A variety of lifestyle factors affect the fertility potential of individuals. Since infertility is a physical problem, a healthy diet plays a vital role in enhancing fertility. Studies have shown that certain foods can regulate the hormones that affect the production of eggs and sperm. A good diet also helps in maintaining a healthy weight, which can greatly impact fertility. Women who are underweight or overweight may have a harder time becoming pregnant because body fat levels do have an impact on the production of sex hormones. It is imperative that in the course of infertility treatment, a healthy diet and lifestyle is maintained.

Tips for Healthy Eating During Infertility Treatment

What you put into your body has a huge effect on the functioning of your reproductive system. A well balanced, nutritious diet is therefore essential for the formation of a healthy embryo especially while undergoing infertility treatment. Below are some natural approaches and lifestyle adaptations that should be followed in the course of fertility treatment, and maintained throughout pregnancy and thereafter:

• Eat a variety of foods such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat, poultry, fish, eggs and nuts to get all the different kinds of essential nutrients
• Choose foods that are high in fiber
• Include enough vitamins and minerals in your daily diet
• It is absolutely essential to have lots of water since it’s an important fertility food
• Intake of calcium-rich foods to get 1000-1300 mg of calcium in your daily diet
• Eat enough servings of iron-rich foods everyday to get 27 mg of iron daily
• Choose at least one good source of vitamin C every day, such as oranges, grapefruits, strawberries, etc. to get the daily dose of 70 mg of vitamin C
• Choose at least one good source of folic acid every day, like dark green leafy vegetables, veal, and legumes such as lima beans, black beans, black-eyed peas and chickpeas
• Choose at least one source of vitamin A every other day such as carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, spinach, water squash, turnip greens, beet greens, apricots, and cantaloupe.

Foods to be Avoided During Infertility Treatment

• Alcohol should be avoided since it can decrease sperm count and increase the production of abnormal sperm. Alcohol may cause premature delivery, mental retardation and birth defects.
• Caffeine intake should be limited. Try and substitute your daily cup of coffee with green tea that has antioxidants, which aid in healthy immune systems.
• The use of sweeteners should also be limited
• The intake of trans fats from margarine, doughnuts and other processed foods should be limited
• It is recommended to replace processed foods with whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
• Avoid eating shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish as they have high levels of mercury
• Avoid soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined, and Mexican-style cheese. These cheeses are often unpasteurized and may cause Listeria infection.
• Avoid raw fish, like oysters and clams
• Avoid acidic foods

Ensure that raw vegetables and fruits are washed thoroughly and cook ready-to-eat meats (like hot dogs) and leftovers until steaming hot.

Exercise

Along with a balanced and nutritious diet, it is important to undertake a moderate exercise regimen to improve the chances of conception. Exercise helps to burn off excess body fat, allowing hormone levels to return to normal. However over exercising can actually impair fertility. Exercises like swimming, walking and cycling are recommended.
It's important to eat right at all times and especially if you are trying to conceive. Eating right does play a major part in improving fertility along with maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and keeping stress under control.

California based East Bay Fertility Center (www.ebfertility.com) provides expert medical counseling and different infertility treatment options. Our medical staff headed by Dr. Ellen U. Snowden, Medical Director and physician provide personalized and comprehensive services for infertility and reproductive endocrine issues. Infertility can be attributed to the male or the female or to both. East Bay Fertility Center conducts tests to determine the exact fertility problem and suitable fertility treatments are then recommended.

For free initial consultation please call us at 925.828.9235 or visit our website at www.ebfertility.com for more details about infertility support, treatment and more.