Fertility Foods

Obviously, every woman trying to conceive hopes that it will be an easy process. Some women have an easier time conceiving than others, and there are many factors that go into the ability to conceive. One of the factors that can influence fertility is diet. While there is no fool-proof food that will guarantee a pregnancy, there are certain classifications of foods that doctors and researchers recommend, and others that they recommend that women avoid. Here is a basic overview of foods for fertility.

Whole Grains

In the past few years, the entire diet industry has been abuzz about refined carbohydrates. Many diets recommend banishing refined carbohydrates completely, while others recommend eating them in small amounts. Refined carbohydrates, including such foods as white bread, pasta and white rice, do have a chance of lowering fertility. There are 17 nutrients lost in the process of refining grains. Included in the nutrients lost are some that are thought to increase fertility. Therefore, rather than eating these striped-down foods, a woman trying to conceive needs to increase her intake of whole grains, which are full of the antioxidants, B vitamins and iron - items that are thought to increase fertility.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables have long been considered important for fertility and health. Buy fruit that is brightly colored such as red peppers, rich greens, and kale. Keep fruit around that you will enjoy and try to eat close to 2 cups of fruit and 3 cups of vegetables every single day.

Red Meat

People are constantly discussing the merits of red meat. When you are trying to get pregnant, and when you want to maintain a healthy pregnancy, iron is incredibly important. Red meat is packed with iron that will be important when you are pregnant, and when you recover from giving birth. Women tend to have a difficult time keeping their iron levels up while pregnant, since the baby is using up so many minerals. It is, therefore, very important to build up a supply before becoming pregnant. If you don't like red meat, make sure to start a multivitamin with iron before becoming pregnant. You should also have a blood test done before and during your pregnancy to test for anemia.

Creating Balance

Try to create a good balance in your eating plan, and don't diet while trying to get pregnant! You certainly don't want to be overweight while pregnant, but now is not the time to start to cut back on your intake of healthy foods. Don't exclude any food group from your diet and don't go overboard filling up on one type either. Try to have about three ounces of protein a day, including fish, nuts, beans, meat and chicken.

Prenatal Vitamins

Along with creating a balanced diet, make sure that you are filling any gaps in your nutrients with vitamins. Ask your health care professional which vitamins you should be taking and discuss your diet with him or her. Start taking a prenatal vitamin while you're trying to get pregnant. You often don't know when you are pregnant right away, and these vitamins are very important to take during the entire pregnancy. If you begin before you conceive, then you will already be taking these vitamins during the first formative weeks of a pregnancy.

Eating right can help to put you on the right track towards conception. There is no guaranteed food that will help you to conceive, but creating a healthy diet can help you to feel great and to be full of energy. Both psychologically and physically, these changes can help you to welcome a pregnancy into your body and into your life.