Pregnancy is a crucial 9-month journey for both the baby and the mother. Managing the pregnancy process and pre-pregnancy correctly can lead to a happy and peaceful pregnancy.
If you’re considering getting pregnant, your first step should be to visit a gynaecologist and undergo the necessary blood tests. Alongside the test results, you should start taking supplements as recommended by your gynaecologist.
Getting pregnant has become increasingly challenging nowadays. One of the main reasons is incorrect nutrition and excess weight. If you have a pregnancy plan and you’re overweight, losing excess weight initially will significantly increase your fertility.
How Should You Eat Before Getting Pregnant?
If you’re considering pregnancy, the second step is to establish a healthy eating routine. Individuals who don’t eat healthy and balanced meals may experience deficiencies in vitamins and minerals. Consuming processed foods can reduce fertility due to vitamin and mineral deficiencies caused by unhealthy eating habits.
Firstly, you should create a nutrition plan for yourself. You should have regular main meals and snacks. Try to eat at the same time every day. Include B vitamins and all other vitamins that increase fertility in your daily diet.
Research has shown that foods rich in magnesium and zinc increase the likelihood of pregnancy. Walnuts, almonds, and leafy green vegetables are rich sources of magnesium. Red meat, poultry, shellfish, nuts, and dairy products are rich sources of zinc.
During this period, you can start brisk walking three days a week for 45 minutes. Also, try to drink 2.5-3 litres of water throughout the day.
Studies have found that women who consume high-glycaemic-index foods have lower fertility rates than those who consume low-glycaemic-index foods. The glycaemic index is a numerical value assigned to carbohydrates based on the glycemic responses they produce in the body. White flour, products made from white flour, and white bread have a high glycaemic index. Therefore, it’s recommended to choose whole grain products during this period. Consumption of simple carbohydrates should be limited during this period.
Last but not least, try to avoid stress as much as possible.
6 Foods to Help You Get Pregnant
Dark Leafy Green Vegetables
Dark leafy green vegetables contribute to fertility due to their high iron and antioxidant content. These types of vegetables will be your greatest ally during pregnancy. Spinach, lettuce, rocket, broccoli, and other dark leafy greens are high in folate. Folate is a B-group vitamin. You can include these vegetables in your salads, sandwiches, and meals. Adding lemon to greens helps the body absorb iron better.
Eggs
Eggs are one of the most important sources of protein and are the highest quality protein after breast milk. Eggs contain amino acids that our bodies cannot produce and must be obtained externally. Therefore, egg consumption increases fertility.
Lentils
Lentils are a source of folic acid, making them one of the best foods to increase fertility. Folic acid plays a role in improving reproductive cycle health. It also strengthens your immune system and protects your body from cancer.
Garlic
Garlic is rich in B vitamins and selenium. Selenium is crucial for increasing fertility. Additionally, garlic helps prevent chromosome problems that can result in early miscarriage. Garlic is especially recommended to be consumed raw.
Milk and Dairy Products
Milk and dairy products contain essential minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins such as A, B12, and B2. Being an important source of minerals and vitamins, milk and dairy products are rich in calcium, strengthening your bones. Therefore, choosing milk, buttermilk, or kephir from the protein group for your snacks and consuming fruit alongside them contributes to your fertility and helps balance your blood sugar.
Banana
Bananas are rich in vitamin B6. By reducing testosterone levels, they increase the chance of getting pregnant. Bananas help eggs develop more healthily. You can consume bananas alone as snacks. For breakfast, oatmeal, milk, and bananas can be a good alternative.
In addition to these foods, apples, salmon, flaxseed, celery, asparagus, carrots, avocados, and other foods also help increase fertility. You can include all these foods in your daily diet. However, consuming portion sizes beyond what is necessary would be incorrect just because these foods increase fertility. Too much of anything is harmful. Please consume them while paying attention to portion sizes.
