Fertility-Boosting Summertime Foods 

Summertime is here! And if you and your partner are trying to conceive, you may want to make some adjustments to your lifestyle in an effort to boost your fertility and jump-start a healthy pregnancy. One of the best places to start with increasing your chances of conception is by adding fertility-boosting foods into your diet. An important aspect of this is choosing items that are in season, as this will give your body access to foods that are richer in nutrients and more easily digested by the body. There’s also the added bonus of these foods being fresher, less expensive, and good for the economy and environment. Don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered! We’re going to introduce the best summertime foods for you to enjoy while paving the way for healthy conception and pregnancy.

Organic vs. Nonorganic

Before we start spending money on food, it’s worth discussing the importance of quality. While acquiring fresh foods is ultimately what is most important, spending the extra few dollars on organic produce and meat is definitely worth the cost.

Nonorganic and GMO foods are often sprayed with chemicals and pesticides, or injected with artificial ingredients and hormones that can interfere with your body’s endocrine system. Because of them, your fertility may suffer. Examine your budget and swap any unnecessary expenses for quality food. This will decrease your chances of complications during the conception process and throughout the pregnancy.

The Essentials

There are certain things you want to focus on when making adjustments to your diet. It is important that you consume enough protein, essential amino acids, vitamins, antioxidants and complex carbohydrates.

As a general rule of thumb, half of your plate should consist of vegetables while the two remaining quarters consist of your complex carbohydrates and protein. Fruits are perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth and make for healthier snacks and desserts.

Summertime Foods that Boost Fertility

Tomatoes –

High in antioxidants such as vitamin C and carotenoids, tomatoes support a healthy immune system and decrease the chances of blood clots forming in the body. Throw them on a salad, roast them or melt a little mozzarella cheese on top and sprinkle with fresh herbs for a refreshing snack.

Corn –

If you are sensitive to gluten, fresh corn is a great source of dietary fiber that won’t mess with your digestive system. It’s high in antioxidants, minerals and B-complex vitamins that are known for increasing fertility.

Cherries –

This super-fruit is low in calories and actually contains melatonin, which helps to calm the body’s nervous system and promotes quality sleep. It also combats inflammation, allowing an egg to attach more strongly to the uterine wall.

Grass-fed beef and grilled chicken –

A clean, organic burger will give your body the iron and protein you need to maintain a healthy cycle. Grilled chicken is another quality source of protein that supports ovulation.

Asparagus –

Asparagus is abundant in fiber and regulates blood sugar. It’s also abundant in many other fertility-boosting nutrients such as folates, antioxidants and B-complex vitamins. Grill them up or bake them with some herbs and a little bit of grated parmesan cheese to accompany dinner.

Salmon –

 If you love seafood, salmon is the healthiest and safest fish for you to consume during the conception process and pregnancy. Wild Alaskan salmon is known to have the lowest levels of mercury contamination and is a great source of essential fatty acids.

Avocados –

Another great source of essential fatty acids and antioxidants are avocados. If you don’t like the taste, you can always toss one in a smoothie to ditch the flavor and give your smoothie a rich, milkshake-like texture.

Baby potatoes –

 Everyone loves potatoes and they are a healthy complex carb you don’t have to feel guilty about eating—just steer clear of fried potatoes. Throw them on a summer skewer with some olive oil and freshly-ground pepper.

Nuts –

 If you’re a vegetarian, nuts can provide your body with more protein. And whether you are a carnivore or not, they make for a satiating salad topper!

Don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with the way you prepare any of the aforementioned foods. One of the most important parts of eating is the enjoyment of it! Good luck!