[SlyFoxy]

I ran up onto this stuff and thought lots of you all might enjoy reading this and changing some of your diet to more of this stuff. I'm switching from Mayo to using Avocado for my sandwiches. I'm a mayo nut but after more I've read how good Avocado is for you no more Mayo for our family. Already eat raw honey. I don't drink whole milk but switching to whole milk that is organic. Boy there is some I need to add to my diet badly.

While eating a healthy, balanced diet, drinking lots of water, exercising regularly and avoiding alcohol and cigarettes is the best way to get your body in shape for a baby there are certain foods which are said to boost (or at least optimise) your fertility. By including the following foods in your own and your partners diet you can help to ensure that you are getting all the important nutrients you need to make a baby.

Whole grains
Whole grains such as oats, brown rice, whole wheat and quinoa are complex carbohydrates and so not only give you lots of energy for baby-making by releasing sugar into your blood slowly and evenly, but also contain an abundance of B and E vitamins that are essential for cellular reproduction, hormonal balance and the production of healthy ova and sperm.

Oily fish
Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines are the best source of essential fatty acids (EFAs) omega-3 and omega-6 which play an important role in regulating reproductive functioning, improving blood flow and enhancing sperm quality and mobility. Flaxseed oil is a good EFA alternative for those who don't eat fish.

Full fat dairy
Research has found that women who eat at least one portion of full fat dairy a day are significantly less likely to suffer from fertility problems that those who consistently go for low fat or non dairy options. Dairy products are also a great source of calcium which is important in the development and maintenance of the nervous system, bones and blood.

Garlic
Although not typically known as a food for romance, garlic contains an abundance of fertility boosting nutrients and can easily be neutralised with parsley. It's a great source of the mineral selenium which is thought to enhance male fertility and help prevent the chromosome breakage that may play a role in early miscarriage. Garlic also contains vitamin B6 which helps to regulate hormones and strengthens the immune system.

A Few Additions
Both garlic and honey are two fertility items that are often overlooked. Garlic has selenium in it, a mineral that may help to reduce the chances of miscarriage in women and that is said to enhance male fertility. It also contains vitamin B6 which regulates hormones and builds your immune system. Perhaps tasting slightly better, honey has been used for centuries to boost fertility. It is rich in minerals and amino acids that are good for the reproductive system and that help with the function of the ovaries.

Maintaining a healthy diet and a clean lifestyle can only help to promote fertility. You'll find that you have more energy and feel better when you're eating healthy foods that are free of pesticides, sugars, and other processed ingredients. Treat your body right so that it can treat you right - and help you to conceive!

Lean red meat
Lean red meat is a great source of iron which helps to prevent anaemia, decreases the risk of ovulatory infertility and plays a role in the production and function of red blood cells. Red meat is also a good source of vitamin B12 which is essential in the maintenance and development of the nervous system.

Honey
Honey has been used to enhance fertility throughout history as it is incredibly rich in the minerals and amino acids that nourish the reproductive system and stimulate ovarian function. It's considered by many to be a fertility boosting super food.

Spinach
Spinach and other leafy greens are an excellent source of folic acid which is important in optimising sperm production, facilitating regular, healthy ova production and helping to prevent neural tube defects during early pregnancy. It is also a great source of iron and vitamin C which helps to enhance sperm quality by protecting the DNA stored within it from damage.

Oysters
It is the abundance of zinc found in this seafood delicacy that gives it its fertility boosting qualities. Zinc is often considered to be the most important fertility nutrient as it has been shown to help with both healthy sperm and egg production. If oysters aren't your thing, zinc can also be found in baked beans, eggs, nuts, whole grains and pumpkin seeds.

Chillies
These certainly 'spice' things up in the fertility department by increasing the flow of blood around the body, ensuring that the reproductive system gets a healthy supply. Chillies also stimulate endorphin production which means more fertility boosting, stress releasing, happy hormones circulate around your body and are also an excellent source of vitamin C which helps with iron absorption.

Avocado
Avocado provides a rich source of vitamin E which is a powerful antioxidant and an essential fertility nutrient for both men and women as it improves the viability of sperm and helps to regulate both ovulation and the production of cervical mucus. It is also an excellent source of unsaturated fats which are essential for healthy hormone functioning, olive oil is another good vegetable source.

In general when trying for a baby it pays to go for good quality, unprocessed foods as these are likely to be much richer in vitamins, minerals and nutrients and also freer from pesticides and added oestrogens that may disrupt reproductive functioning in both men and women. By supplementing a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle with the foods listed above you will help to ensure you have all the nutrients you need to ensure your reproductive system is in optimum condition.


1. NUTS AND SEEDS.
You will get all the essential fats and vitamin E that you need from nuts and seeds. Vitamin E is sometimes known as the fertility vitamin because it carries oxygen to the sex organs. Nuts also contain selenium, which protects sperm and egg health.

2. ORANGES AND KIWI FRUITS.
These two fruits are bursting with vitamins C, which helps to maintain that the quality of a man's sperm and a woman's eggs.

3. SPINACH, BROCCOLI AND KALE.
These green leafy vegetables are a fantastic natural source of folic acid. Folic acid is essential for the developing embryo.

4. BROWN RICE
Brown rice and other whole grains are a rich source of B vitamins as well as ink and selenium. Zinc is essential for healthy sperm production as well as cell renewal and repair. Zinc helps to maintain a healthy menstrual cycle and is vitally important for growth and proper cell division in a developing fetus.

5. BOTTLED WATER
Avoid tap water which may contain lead, pesticides, oestrogens, chlorine and other toxins that may adversely affect fertility.

6. OILY FISH (OR FLAXSEED FOR THE VEGETARIANS)
Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines are the best source of essential fatty acids (EFAs) omega-3 and omega-6 which play an important role in regulating reproductive functioning, improving blood flow and enhancing sperm quality and mobility.
The following foods and drinks can reduce your fertility and should be avoided if you are trying for a baby.

6 Foods to Avoid!
1. RED MEAT
Eating red meat in moderation is OK. However, too much red meat will increase the amount of ammonia in your body. Too much ammonia can stop the egg implanting in the uterus. Too much rich protein can also increase the body's acidity which can adversely affect sperm activity.

2. NON-ORGANIC DAIRY
Again, in moderation, dairy products are OK, however do make sure it is organic as they will have fewer animal hormones. Animal hormones can cause hormonal imbalance in humans.

3. ALCOHOL, NICOTINE AND DRUGS
Drink alcohol in moderation and avoid nicotine and other drugs altogether. Alcohol, even a small amount, can increase your level of prolactin. Prolactin is a sex hormone which can adversely affect your hormonal balance. Avoid all recreational drugs. Even over-the-counter drugs, for example painkillers and antibiotics, can disrupt ovulation and reduce a woman's fertility.

4. COFFEE
Coffee and other drinks containing caffeine (such as fizzy drinks) are stimulants which upset the body's blood-sugar level. Caffeine has even been linked to miscarriage during early pregnancy.
Even decaffeinated coffee contains many unnatural chemicals and is best avoided.

5. ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS
Artificial sweeteners, particularly aspartame, has been linked to infertility and miscarriage. You will find artificial sweeteners in any foods or drinks labelled 'diet' or 'sugar-free'. Once in the body, aspartame actually breaks down into formaldehyde, which is the substance used to preserve dead bodies.

6. HYDROGENATED FATS
These are also known as Trans fats and recent research indicates that these unhealthy and processed fats reduce fertility in both men and women

Hope this is something helpful to all of us that is TTC a little gift to hold in our arms very soon..

[iloveoange]

Thanks...this is definately helpful.