The right diet is important for fertility.
While the optimal years for pregnancy are your 20s and 30s, many women are now having babies well into their 40s. And while it’s tempting to chalk it up to “good genes,” it’s more likely that a healthy lifestyle and proper diet makes all the difference. You will, of course, want to steer clear of caffeine, alcohol, smoking, and highly processed foods—all have shown to have a negative impact on reproductive health. Here’s what you want to incorporate into your diet if you want to boost your chances of remaining fertile longer.
Folic acid — green beans, spinach, Brussels sprouts, brown rice, peas, asparagus, chickpeas, and bananas
Iron — eggs, fish, nettle tea, dark green vegetables, seaweed, and prunes
Calcium — quinoa, seaweed, plain yogurt, fish, canned fish with bones, broccoli, and kale
Selenium — herring, tuna, broccoli, garlic, Brazil nuts, dulse, and kelp
Zinc — seafood, pumpkin seeds, whole grains, and dried fruit
Manganese — dulse and other seaweed, nuts, whole grains, and legumes
Essential fatty acids — pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, nuts, avocado, olive oil, flax seed oil, and fish
B complex vitamins — brown rice, avocado, lentils, quinoa, pulses, sardines, eggs, spirulina, and seaweed
Vitamin C — raw fruits (especially berries), broccoli, red peppers, and sprouted seeds
Vitamin E — wheat germ, olives, avocado, nuts, and seeds
Vitamin A (beta carotene) — carrots, tomatoes, cabbage, spinach, and broccoli
Probiotic bacteria — plain yogurt, naturally fermented sauerkraut, and miso
Prebiotic bacteria — bananas, chicory, and artichokes
Board Certified Health Coach and Food Toxin Specialist
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“Roasted Asparagus Salad – Asparagus” © 2012 grongar, used under a Creative Commons Attribution license