A Delicious and Healthy Way to Improve Fertility
Mention dieting, and most of us think of trying to slim down to fit into the next size down on the clothing rack rather than trying to conceive. But recent studies conducted in Spain suggest that at least one healthy diet can do more than improve our waste lines. The study suggests that a Mediterranean diet may actually improve our chances of conception.
The Mediterranean diet isn’t new. For several years now, it has been touted as an alternative to crash diets, a healthy lifestyle change. It’s been known all along that the Mediterranean diet offered a win-win situation, allowing those who adhere to it to lose weight while still having delicious culinary options. But who would have thought it could help women conceive?
For those who may not know, the Mediterranean diet is marked by:
- High fish intake
- Vegetables and legumes
- Fruit
- Whole Grains
- Olive Oil instead of butter or other oils
- Herbs and Spices for flavor instead of salt
- Low intake of red meat (once or twice a month at most)
Red wine may also be imbibed on the Mediterranean diet, though women who are trying to become pregnant should drink only in moderation, if at all.
The Spanish study considered a total of over 500 women who were trying to conceive at the time. Of those who adhered strictly to a Mediterranean diet, only 17% experienced problems conceiving a child, compared with 26% of women who did not follow the diet strictly.
While those kinds of numbers don’t exactly equal a guarantee of a bambina on your hip nine months from now, they do suggest at least some connection between eating a Mediterranean diet and becoming pregnant. And when it comes down to it, isn’t any improvement in your chance to conceive a good improvement?
At the very least, doctors and dietitians agree that the Mediterranean diet is healthy for us. So we really have nothing to lose and everything to gain by adhering to it. In the end, even if it doesn’t directly contribute to our hope of having a child, it can improve our overall health (which in and of itself can help with fertility).
What do you think? Are there any other dietary changes you’re aware of that can help you conceive?
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