The Top 5 Mistakes with Fertility Diets
Firstly, what even is a "fertility diet”?
Like any diet, it is a method in which a certain dietary outcome is achieved through nutritional intervention.
In the case of fertility and pregnancy the aim is to improve and support the balance and function of the female body thus allowing for the reproductive system to thrive.
So what are the common mistakes that are made when it comes to most fertility diets?
1. Cutting animal protein
I KNOW this is controversial and I KNOW not everyone will be thrilled to hear this but I stand my ground. There are of course many who thrive on a vegan and vegetarian diet but for the majority; animal protein is one of the most bioavailable forms of protein and iron we can consume. Both of which are essential for fertility. There are also the additional key nutrients such as choline, coenzyme Q10, vitamin A and DHA which are either not found in plants or not as bioavailable to us through plants.
2. Avoiding Fats
When we know better we do better right? Long gone are the days of believing that fat is bad and will lead to high cholesterol and instant weight gain. Healthy fats are ESSENTIAL to our hormone health and the overall function of your immune system. We need fats to help our bodies absorb fat soluble vitamins such as vitamins A,D,E and K. Healthy fats are also great regulators of blood sugars which are key to reproductive health.
3. Processed foods.
This might be an obvious one but ‘diets’ tend to also lead to a higher consumption of processed, convenience foods which are far from ideal when trying to optimise our bodies reproductive process. With predominantly vegetable oils included in these types of foods we know that this can lead to a greater pro-inflammatory response which can also lead to both diminishing egg and sperm quality.
4. Low Fat dairy
One of the largest fertility studies undertaken detailed that low fat dairy consumption can negatively effect a females ovulation process whereas full fat dairy can in fact support it. Why might this be? It is hypothesised that there is a correlation between the types of hormones left behind after the process of skimming dairy and the disruption of ovulation. Estrogen and progesterone bind to fat molecules and are subsequently removed when producing low-fat dairy. This leaves behind a predominance of androgenic hormones (e.g. testosterone), which can disrupt ovulation.
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5. Under-eating
Unless you are overweight and you would benefit from a calorie restricted diet; under-eating, thus under fuelling can lead to a number of fertility road blocks. Adequate energy is essential for a well rounded fertility diet as our metabolic system and our reproductive system are mutually regulated.