While there’s no quick fix or magical ingredient to boost your chances of conceiving, eating a healthy diet can help to support your reproductive health, and is well worth considering when you’re trying for a baby.
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Foods rich in nutrients such as Vitamin E, Vitamin C, folate and zinc may help to optimise your fertility and be beneficial for prospective parents, and while you can help boost your intake with a specially-formulated fertility supplement, there’s nothing like getting the real deal through your diet.
Here are six of the best foods for fertility that you likely already have in your kitchen, along with the reasons why you should think about adding them to your diet when you’re trying to conceive…
Best foods for fertility
Eggs provide fertility-friendly folic acid
Egg yolks contain vitamin B and omega 3s, along with folic acid, which helps the body create red blood cells and helps to maintain embryo development after conception.
Avocado to support your fertility diet
You may want to combine those eggs with another brunch favourite; avocado! This creamy fruit has been found to be a veritable superfood thanks to their high vitamin E content, which can be beneficial in improving the lining of the uterus. With high potassium and folate to boot, incorporating avocado into your pre-conception diet is a no-brainer.
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Beans and lentils to aid ovulation
These store cupboard staples are high in fibre and protein, which can aid ovulation. They are also an excellent source of folic acid, which aids with conception and helps in healthy embryo development.
Berries for folate and antioxidants
Antioxidant-rich berries are high in vitamin C and folic acid. One study found women with high fruit intakes had a significantly reduced chance of infertility, while the anti-inflammatory phytonutrients found in some fruits can also have great benefits for male fertility.
Sweet Potato to support your hormones
The high levels of beta-carotene in sweet potato can help to boost production of the hormone progesterone, so should play a part in any fertility diet.
Whether you opt for sweet potato mash, fries or even swap bread for your own sweet potato toast, these versatile spuds can be eaten at breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Greek yoghurt for a fertility-friendly breakfast
Start your day in a fertility-friendly way with a serving of plain full-fat Greek yoghurt. This is a great source of calcium and vitamin D, which can help the follicles of your ovaries mature, and is even better when topped with antioxidant-rich berries and a sprinkle of seeds.
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