Any couple trying to conceive has heard the old wives tales about what foods to eat and what not to eat, and it’s certainly a topic that should be discussed. Obviously, some women are going to get pregnant regardless of what they eat, but couples who are struggling to conceive are continuously searching for answers. There is research, though, that demonstrates that your fertility could well depend on what you eat, and that consuming some foods and avoiding others can encourage conception. What is important is that both partners consume a nutritious, balanced diet and avoid fast food and junk food.
What About Milk?
In the past, nutritionists and medical practitioners would probably have suggested that you only consume skim milk and low-fat dairy products; however, today’s doctors and nutritionists are more aware of just how important healthy fats are to our general good health – like the fats found in milk. The benefits of these fats to women trying to conceive cannot be over-emphasised, and it’s now believed that women can lower their risk of infertility by consuming moderate amounts of whole milk and other dairy products.
Ovulatory Infertility and Whole Milk
Ovulatory disorders represent the main cause of infertility. Many studies have shown that there’s a definite link between full-fat milk and other full-fat dairy products and a reduced chance of ovulatory infertility. And we know that when healthy fats are included in our diet it’s a natural way of regulating our appetite and staying healthy. It follows, then, that consuming a diet of full-fat dairy products like cheese, yogurt, and milk, would be the perfect long-term plan for couples trying to conceive. Consuming full-fat dairy products will therefore not only help you maintain a healthy balanced diet, it will increase your chances of achieving and maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
Other things couples can consume to help with fertility include leafy green vegetables, whole grains, and yams. These three foods address infertility in approximately 40 percent of women who suffer infertility due to anovulation.
What About Non-Fat Milk?
We now know that low or non-fat milk can affect your fertility in a negative way. The reason is that, when dairy producers remove the fat from full-cream milk, they also remove progesterone and estrogen and leave a higher proportion of male hormones and androgens. The result is a hormonal imbalance, created by regularly drinking and consuming non-fat dairy products.
Couples trying to conceive a baby should not only choose whole milk products, they should also try to locate organic products. Some couples trying to conceive choose to consume raw milk to ensure they’re getting all the natural milk ingredients.
Is There a Limit to How Much Dairy I Should Consume?
The general guideline for couples trying to get pregnant, is that every day they should consume 1-2 servings of full-fat dairy. Now you can enjoy your favourite Greek yoghurt, some tasty cheddar cheese, or a delicious banana and full fat milk smoothie! If you’re not a milk drinker, good options for you would be whole milk cheeses, ice creams, and yoghurts. However, always keep in the back of your mind that ice cream and other sugary foods should be consumed in moderation.
It’s All about the Calcium!
When talking about the process of conception, calcium is key. Consuming calcium ensures a healthy reproductive system, which leads to the birth of a healthy baby. Calcium assists spermatozoids in swimming, it triggers growth in the embryo, and it’s a vitally important component in creating an alkaline environment in the reproductive tract.
Raw Milk
If you’re trying to conceive and you consume raw milk, note that one quart of raw milk contains 900mg of food-based calcium. This is almost the entire daily amount of calcium you need when trying to conceive.
Conceive Plus
The fertility lubricant known as Conceive Plus can also help couples trying to conceive because it’s the only known fertility lubricant that contains ions of calcium. Unlike regular lubricants, Conceive Plus is pH balanced and isotonic, imitating the body’s own natural fluids. Conceive Plus supports fertility because it contains calcium and magnesium ions, thus increasing the chances of achieving and maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
