I had a great Tell-All Tuesday conversation with Kristen Darcy about fertility friendly foods to stock in your fridge and pantry. You can watch it here. And here’s a recap of what we talked about:
What to Stock in Your Fertility Friendly Pantry
If you’re trying to get pregnant, alcohol and caffeine are at the top of the list of things to avoid. Other items you should replace are:
Sugary and artificially flavored drinks – sodas, energy drinks, iced teas and flavored waters.
Why: You don’t want the chemicals, caffeine and excess sugar which will upset your blood sugar, hormones and energy.
Replace with: Herbal teas and room temperature water. Room temperature water is more easily absorbed. And you can flavor it yourself with fruits, herbs and cucumbers.
Sugar and artificial sweeteners
Why: They can cause blood sugar imbalances, interfere with mood and energy, and prevent some vitamins and minerals from being absorbed.
Replace with: Natural sweeteners – coconut sugar, date sugar (made from ground dates), maple syrup, raw honey. There are some reports that stevia is not good for fertility.
Simple and refined carbs – processed foods, white bread, flour, white pastas
Why: These are not whole foods, don’t have nutritional value and can cause blood sugar imbalances.
Replace with: Whole grains: amaranth, barley, buckwheat, flaxseed, millet, oats, quinoa, brown rice, rye, spelt.
Note: not all these grains are gluten free.
Canola oil
Why: Most canola oil is genetically modified, and the way it’s processed may be unhealthy
Replace with: Healthy fats and oils: ghee (butter with milk solids removed), butter, extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil.
What to Stock in Your Fertility Friendly Fridge
Consider eliminating: Cow dairy
Why: Many people have sensitivities and it can be difficult to digest
Replace with: goat or sheep milk products which are easier to digest or plant-based milk and cheese sources: almond, goat, hemp, oat, cashew
Note: If you do use cow dairy make it full fat and organic. Low fat dairy negatively impacts fertility and full fat improves fertility and ovulation.
Fresh, seasonal veggies, preferably organic
Why: Fruits and veggies are nutrient dense, whole foods. Try to get an array of colors for an array of vitamins and minerals.
Note: When you can’t get fresh, organic frozen fruits and veggies are a good substitute.
Meat: If you eat meat, make sure it’s pasture raised, organic, and that grass fed varieties are 100% grass fed
Why: They are raised more humanely, healthier and cleaner and not fed GMO corn and grain
Pasture raised, organic eggs
Why: Better for the chickens, better for the eggs and better for you. The chickens can roam outside, are not fed a factory farm GMO diet, can feed on wild grasses and bugs, have less cholesterol, more vitamins and omega 3s.
Dark Leafy greens
Why: Great source of calcium, fiber, folic acid and antioxidants; immune boosters.
Bone broth (chicken)
Why: Good for gut and digestive health, easily digestible protein and supports immunity
Organic raspberries and blueberries
Why: High in antioxidants, which is good for your cells
Note: Organic, frozen is a good substitute
Naturally there is no one-size-fits-all plan. You may be vegan, paleo, or have food sensitivities or allergies. So these are just guidelines. I’d love to answer your personal questions about food and fertility. Give me a shout here.