Pregnancy is a very complex phenomenon that requires extra care, nutrients, additional vitamins, a better lifestyle, and so forth. But before pregnancy occurs, you have to be healthy and fit to be able to conceive, and this is where diets and foods play a big role.

There is no specific diet that will help you get pregnant because your getting pregnant is not dependant on the food you eat (if only it were that easy!). However, eating right will get all your systems working so you can increase your chances of becoming pregnant. So here is an overview of nutritional ingredients in foods that increase fertility.

The importance of correct nutrition

Nutrition is important, but correct nutrition geared specifically to making the body fit for pregnancy is even more essential. What helps is that your diet should be able to make your body systems work they way they should. 

Foods that increase fertility:

•    Organic foods, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals which are essential for conception.

•    Protein like meat and poultry boost iron levels.

•    A vegetarian diet is generally healthier, but iron, calcium and vitamin B12 supplements may be required. Flaxseeds are a good source of Omega-3 acids if you don’t eat fish. Broccoli, kale, and oranges are a good source of calcium too. Look for brightly colored foods, as these are rich in antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and other essential nutrients.

•    Fish is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids which boost fertility. Look out for fish that are low in mercury, such as haddock, salmon, trout, flounder, tilapia, etc. Canned chunk tuna is also low in mercury. Fish to completely avoid are marlin, frozen swordfish, shark, albacore, and white tuna.

•    Calcium is very essential too, so milk products like cheese, yoghurt, milk etc. must be had regularly. However, do keep a check on portion sizes, as dairy products are rich in saturated fats.

•    Some additional vitamins which contain folic acid, zinc, and vitamin B are required. Although these are found in homemade food, it’s good to take them as supplements too, because the body is sometimes unable to absorb them from the food we eat.

•    Staying hydrated is also very essential for those trying to conceive. 6-8 glasses of water and lots of fruit juices (unsweetened) are the way to go.

•    Avoid eating soybeans. Although they are packed with nutrition, they also contain an estrogen like component which decreases fertility. Ovulation needs two hormones- the luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and soybean lowers both.