Speaking to a door dasher today that came in to pick up an order for a customer. We talked about many things, but one topic had me thinking long after she was gone. That was infertility.
Now I am no fertility expert; but I informed her that switching to a plant-based diet has been known to work in many women based upon research and study I have done. I also told her to keep in mind that other life choices need to improve to help heal the body.
Just like switching to a plant-based diet helps lower cancer rates, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. According to a recent Harvard study, eating more fruit and vegetables in place of meat increases fertility!
Let’s talk about what’s on your plate!
For thousands of years, we have practice what we heard about the importance of meat and fish three times a week, an egg a day and a glass of milk. I will let you know those food items contain protein, vitamin D, iron, B12, calcium, and lots of other nutrients., But they also have other unhealthy fats and hormones that are not good for the human body.
Here are some simple tips to keep in mind when switching to a vegan diet o help aid in your fertility journey.
*Increase Protein Combinations
One type of vegetable is not enough. Combining grains with nuts and seeds or legumes makes up a complete protein. You need to ensure that every day you consume some legumes, grains, nuts and seeds.
*Eat Iron-Rich Foods
Since you can get the most iron in red meat, going vegan may make you iron-deficient. The good news is that vegans and vegetarians with a well-planned and balanced diet have no higher incidence of iron deficiency and anemia than meat-eaters. Because iron is also available in plant sources, you can load up on iron-rich foods like avocados, prunes, apricots, lentils, black beans, almonds, chickpeas, and wheat germ.
*Make Sure You Get Some Sun.
As no vegetable source contains it, vitamin D is essential to get. You don’t have to take a pill for it either. The best source of vitamin D is the sun! As little as ten minutes of sun on your skin a day will give you all the vitamin D you need. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to get your vitamin D dose without getting burned.
*Eat Organic!
If you are going to exclude animal products which are the richest source of pesticides in our diet, you don’t want to reintroduce them by eating sprayed fruit and vegetables. When you stop eating meat, you should have a surplus of cash, and you can now afford to eat organic fruit, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
*Reduce Intake of Fertility-Harming Foods
Not all non-meat sources are ideal for fertility, so you have to reduce your intake of (or eliminate) alcohol, refined foods, caffeine, sugar, and flour in your diet. Sugar and flour, for instance, predispose you to insulin resistance and hormonal imbalance, which make it more difficult for you to conceive.
*Look out for essential Nutrients
Nutrients like omega 3 and zinc, which are necessary for maintaining egg and sperm health, are in certain plants but in low levels. Therefore you must add more other foods to your diet that has a rich amount of these nutrients—foods such as seeds, nuts, and oils. So eating more chia seeds, hemp seeds, algal oil, Brussel sprouts will help maintain your omega levels. Make sure these food are often eating to ensure you are getting the proper amounts.
*Eating the Rainbow
When you decide to do a vegan diet to improve fertility, include as many different fruits and vegetables as you can to ensure you’re getting most of the nutrients you need from what you eat. A good way to make sure of this is to eat a rainbow — include different colored fruits and veggies each meal. This is the proper way to ensure your body is getting all the nutrients required daily.
*Consult a Natural Fertility Doctor
When trying to conceive, it is essential to seek personalized professional help from a natural fertility doctor in your fertility journey.
The body is wonderfully made. Therefore, we must ensure we are doing all in our power to make sure it operates at its full potential.
Be healthy,
Chef Roberta Lowe
