Hey ladies!
I thought I'd start a topic here to discuss things about diet and fertility.
I recently read this
Washington Post article reviewing a study (
Diet and Lifestyle in the Prevention of Ovulatory Disorder Infertility) that suggests what you eat can impact your ability to conceive (barring certain medical complications).
Here's a summary of some findings mentioned:
• Nearly 18,000 participants of study followed a diet of plenty vegetables, fruit, whole grains and beans (plant-based foods), as well as protein-rich foods, healthy fats and a bit of full-fat dairy.
• This specific eating pattern was linked to a 66% lower risk of ovulatory infertility and a 27% lower risk of infertility from other causes.
• "The 'fertility diet' study found that ovulatory infertility was almost 40 percent more likely in women who ate the most animal protein."
• "
The researchers looking at the fertility diet found that the more women ate fast-absorbing carbs such as white bread, white rice, potatoes, soda and candy, the higher their risk for ovulatory infertility."
• "
They also observed that eating slow-absorbing carbs such as vegetables, whole grains, beans and lentils can provide a fertility boost. As an added bonus, a high-fiber diet reduces the risk of gestational diabetes."
• Hillary Wright, a dietitian and director of nutritional counseling for the Domar Center for Mind/Body Health at Boston IVF, recommends: "making half your plate at each meal non-starchy vegetables, a quarter protein-rich foods and a quarter fiber-rich carbohydrates with some healthy fat."
• "In the 'fertility diet' study, consuming one to two servings of full-fat dairy products a day was linked to increased fertility, while low-fat versions showed the opposite trend. It seems that having some whole milk or higher-fat yogurt could positively affect ovulation and conception, because the cream component of milk influences its balance of sex hormones."
• "You don’t want to get your fat from processed foods, as hydrogenated oils negatively impact fertility. Although the Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of artificial trans fats in processed foods, this doesn’t come into effect until June 2018."
What do you ladies think? Have you been following any specific dietary pattern?
Re: Diet & Fertility
https://natural-fertility-info.com/
I've pretty much started becoming a flexitarian - eating meat rarely at home, usually only when I'm out to dinner, which isn't very frequent. I totally have some pounds I need to drop and I'm hoping this might help me get there! I love chocolate and ice cream, so that's where I stumble.
I experienced some lightheadedness/dizziness/vertigo symptoms upon the return of AF that lasted a good few weeks, but they are mostly gone with the exception of today (right at the end of AF). PCP thinks it's all hormones trying to stabilize. Hoping he's right and that diet can help my body figure it out!
I have trouble buying into the info on diet and fertility. There are so many unplanned pregnancies in low income inner city areas where access to fresh vegetables and healthy fats is very difficult. But, if it makes people feel like they are taking control of their fertility then more power to them. It obviously cannot hurt to eat healthy!
I did have an OB tell me before I was ttc that I would have to quit being vegan to have a healthy PG. She said at the very least I would have to eat eggs. I am still on the fence if I agree with this. But, after 3 losses I will drive an extra hour to get some cruelty-free backyard chicken eggs if that's what it takes.
*edited for grammar..thanks public education for teaching me spelling doesn't matter as long as the ideas are there, so there's probably still grammatical errors. Oh well, I tried.
MC #1: D&C Oct 23, 2015 (7.5 weeks)
MC #2: July 1, 2016 (5.5 weeks)
MC #3: October 17, 2016 (CP)
RE #1: RPL testing November 2016-January 2017
MC #4: Feb. 28, 2017 (CP)
RE #2: Additional RPL testing March-November 2017
MC #5: January 2019 (6.5 weeks)
RE #3: More testing 2023.
Egg Retrieval Sept/Oct 2023, 2 good embryos after PGT-A testing.
Surgery for endometriosis January 2024
Lupron Depo March 2024. Benched 3 months.
FET #1: June 3, 2024 (failed)
Lupron Depo June 2024. Benched 3 months again before next FET.
FET #2: September 2024 (failed)
FET #3: December 2024 (failed)
#BitterHagPartyOf1
I've been eating as a "flexitarian" for the past few months, keeping meat consumption to a minimum. Maybe a few times a month. It's easier if I don't bring it into the house and only allow myself to eat it when out. I let myself have a turkey sandwich yesterday, although I know you are supposed to avoid deli meats due to listeria when pregnant. I've heard turkey is one deli meat to be especially avoided.
Don't even get me started on tea.