Start the New Year with an eating plan to boost fertility and nutrition

When you’re stressed about your difficulty conceiving and your mood swings because of hormone treatments, it’s not the time to comfort yourself with cocktails and cake. There are better ways to pick up your spirits and regain balance in your life that don’t pack on extra pounds. Experts at the fertility nutrition counseling program at Palm Beach Fertility Center work with you to identify a holistic eating plan that optimizes your chances of getting pregnant.

What do I eat to increase fertility?

There is no such thing as a fertility wonder food. The best advice is to lead a healthy lifestyle that includes good eating habits and exercise. The National Infertility Association attributes 30 percent of infertility to being overweight or underweight.

Therefore, Mark Denker, M.D. established the fertility nutrition counseling program at Palm Beach Fertility Center to increase the well-being and success of his patients. Dr. Denker often suggests a Mediterranean-style diet, which is rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics also shares the following dietary recommendations that may help overcome ovulatory infertility:

• Increase whole grains and other high-fiber, low-glycemic carbohydrates.
• Decrease protein from meats and replace it with vegetable protein.
• Replace trans fats with more monounsaturated fats, like those found in olive oil and avocados.
• Reduce reliance on meat as a source of iron. Look for vegetarian foods with iron, including beans and spinach.
• Substitute sensible servings of high-fat dairy with low-fat dairy products for women. (It’s true! A scoop of your favorite ice cream may not be too bad — just don’t eat the whole carton.) On the other hand, studies indicate that some men who consumed high-fat dairy products saw a decrease in semen quality.
• Take multivitamins, especially those with folic acid.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine also suggests:

• Avoid seafood with high mercury content.
• Reduce caffeine and alcohol intake.
• Eliminate smoking and recreational drug usage.

Better nutrition also can help control autoimmune disorders such as MS, endocrine disorders such as PCOS, and gluten sensitivities. Diet and blood sugar also can play a role in diagnoses of unexplained infertility, PCOS and endometriosis.
Find out how you can handle stress and mood swings by picking up a knife and fork. Contact Dr. Denker, Tara Mears, and the Palm Beach Fertility Center team and let us help create a fertility nutrition program that helps you with procreation.