A healthy diet that contains antioxidant-rich foods can help support fertility and make it easier to become pregnant.
A number of subtle health problems can affect your fertility and ability to conceive, when you are trying to start a family. Some of these may require medical treatment, but others can be minimized by changing your diet to include more antioxidant-rich foods. Here are a few tips on incorporating these antioxidant-rich foods into your diet to help you conceive quickly.
Top Antioxidant-Rich Foods:
Dark, Leafy Greens
Leafy vegetables such as salad greens, bok choy, mustard and broccoli are rich in carotenoids, an antioxidant that protects cells in the body and can help prevent cancer. They’re also high in vitamins E, A, C, K and the B vitamin called folate, components that are also important for cell repair. Use these greens for your daily salad or add them to soups or stir-fry dishes to make sure you get the antioxidants you need for good health.
Berries
All types of berries are full of antioxidants called polyphenols that help you to maintain body processes, prevent disease and regulate blood sugar. Strawberries are high in vitamin C, manganese, B vitamins and potassium. Blueberries are high in an antioxidant called anthocyanin, vitamin E, vitamin B6 and copper. Blackberries are another good source of anthocyanins, as well as vitamins A, C, E and several B vitamins. Raspberries are high in antioxidants, such as vitamin C, quercetin and ellagic acid, as well as vitamin B, vitamin A, calcium and zinc. Berries are one of the most antioxidant-rich foods you can incorporate into your diet.
Avocados
Another good way to get a daily dose of health-promoting antioxidants is by adding avocados to your diet. This tasty fruit contains both lycopene and beta-carotene, two important antioxidant compounds that can reduce cell damage from free radicals and improve fertility. Avocados also contain omega-3 fatty acids and a number of different vitamins to maintain good health.
Pomegranates
The rich, red color of the pomegranate seeds are due to the presence of polyphenols, an important antioxidant that helps to improve blood flow throughout the body. You can eat pomegranate seeds as a snack, add the juice to smoothies or sprinkle a few seeds in your salad for an antioxidant boost for your day.
Walnuts
Nuts are one of the antioxidant-rich foods you should always have on hand. Instead of processed chips that are high in fat, sodium and sugar, reach for a handful of walnuts. This natural snack offers plenty of vitamins, minerals, fiber and polyphenol, antioxidants in abundance. Eating walnuts helps to protect your heart health, as well as offers plenty of omega-3 fatty acids to promote healthy brain function, blood sugar control, better weight management and improved blood supply to the reproductive system.
Eggs
Eggs are naturally rich in antioxidants. Even when cooked, they can provide as much antioxidants as an apple. Tryptophan and tyrosine give eggs their antioxidant punch, and they are also high in protein, vitamins, minerals and lipids. These components make eggs a good choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner. They also make a healthy, easily packable lunch when you’re on the go.
If you are getting ready to start your family, you want to give your body all the advantages, in terms of optimizing your fertility, as well as for carrying your newborn. Ensuring your diet contains antioxidant-rich foods will help you to get pregnant faster and supercharge your body for a healthier pregnancy.