When trying to conceive, you have to pay special attention to what you eat and drink. While there are numerous foods that will boost your fertility and help you conceive, there are also other ingredients that may affect your or your partner’s fertility. Knowing what foods to avoid can give you higher chances to conceive and have a healthy baby.
1. Fish High in Mercury
While fish can be recommended for fertility both in men and women, containing omega 3 fatty acids, certain fish may also be rich mercury and this substance can cause fertility issues. If you eat fish, choose fish that has lower amounts of mercury such as salmon or trout.
2. Saturated Fats
Saturated fats are not recommended when you are trying to conceive. These fats reduce fertility both in men and women. In addition, these fats are easily deposited, and if you and your partner are obese, your fertility rates are reduced. Non saturated fats that may be found in several foods, such as seeds or peanuts, are healthy and can help when you are trying to conceive.
3. Refined Carbohydrates
Refined carbohydrates such as pasta, white bread or white rice should be replaced with wheat and grains, as these can help fertility.
4. Red Meat
Red meat can be consumed in low amounts, but when consumed in high quantities, red meats will boost the levels of ammonia in the organism. Ammonia can affect the fertilized egg and reduce its chances of being set in the uterus. In men, ammonia can affect the quality and the amounts of sperm, as the ammonia makes the body more acidic.
5. Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are present in more and more “diet” products and can affect fertility or cause miscarriage. Aspartame is the most commonly used sweetener and even if it doesn’t contain calories, it will break down in formaldehyde, which is the substance used to conserve dead bodies.
6. Non Organic Products
Non organic products may contain numerous animal hormones, which can disrupt the human hormonal balance. Always check that you buy organic products.
7. Caffeine
Caffeine may be consumed in low amounts (i.e. a 200 ml cup per day), but a lot of caffeine can affect your fertility. Caffeine will reduce the blood flow (including the blood flow in the pelvic region), and this may make it impossible for the fertilization to take place.
Stay away from various sodas and energy drinks that also contain caffeine. Decaffeinated products may not be recommended, as even if they don’t contain caffeine, they contain different chemicals that can affect fertility and the normal hormonal balance.
8. Alcoholic Beverages and Drugs
Alcoholic beverages increase the levels of prolactin, which is a hormone that can negatively affect fertility. Smoking and recreational drugs can reduce fertility. Even over the counter drugs (i.e. painkillers, antibiotics or antihistamines) can disrupt the hormonal activity and reduce your chances of getting pregnant.
