Now is the time to focus on optimising both partners natural fertility.  The health of your egg and his sperm are key factors for easier conception and healthy pregnancy.  Men are often the Cinderellas of fertility care so let’s start with them. Sperm have about a 72-day rolling production time, giving loads of time and opportunity to get them fully charged.

Diet is foundational, as are sleep, stress reduction, libido and taking time to mind general and dental health. Yes, dental health issues can cause inflammation that reduces fertility.

Fertility Friendly Feeding

There’s no special fertility diet.  I want clients to understand nutrient-dense healthy eating for life, wellbeing and fertility.  Your baby’s health for life depends on you now.

Sweet life

First off we eat far too much sugar and upset hormone balance, messes with insulin and get sugar highs which sap energy. A vicious cycle of slumps and highs fuels cravings for more empty calories. Weight and sleep and libido suffer. Risk of diabetes increases. Things like PCOS become bigger fertility issues.

What can you do?

Look to the Continental style brekkie instead of sweet cereals and berries. Breakfast fuels your system for the day and prevents snacking and grazing. Protein-filled eggs, meat and vegetables keep you going til lunch.

Studies show weight is stabilised by eating well at meals, avoiding snacks and eating within a 9-hour time frame. In other words a little light fasting is beneficial.

Food needs to be as fresh as possible, and frozen is a healthy option. Quality wins hands down so go for organic (unsprayed) to lessen the chemical load. Seasonal choices supply the most nutrients. Ready meals and take-out are low in nutrients. Get into the habit of reading food labels and knowing what’s in your food. Cling film and plastic containers can leech PBAs into your food and act as hormone disruptors.

fail to deliver nutrients. Packed with trans fats, refined sugars and salt, these are best avoided.

Food sensitivities and allergies are top of the list for gut issues that impact digestion and sabotage fertility. Absorption of nutrients is impaired. So, it’s a good idea to get checked if you feel you may be sensitive to some foods. Dairy and gluten are high on the allergen indicators, but should only be excluded if necessary.

What are you looking for?

Bloating, acid reflux, wind, diarrhoea alternating with constipation, tiredness, rhinitis, sinusitis,eczema and joint aches are some symptoms to look out for. These can indicate other issues at play.

The Golden Goodies

Vitamin A – liver is top of the class for this vitamin and you’ll pick it up in eggs,  carrots, tomatoes carrots, sweet potatoes, mangoes and red peppers.

Vitamins B – again eggs are powerhouses for the B-vitamins.  Salmon, sardines, mackerel seaweeds, brown rice, potatoes, chickpeas, oats, bananas and mushrooms are interesting sources. Seaweed seasoning is an easy way to use  our marine vegetables.

Vitamin C – oranges get top billing here, along with lemins which are slightly higher in the sunshine vitamin than limes. Blueberries parsley red peppers and everybody’s favourite, Brussel’s sprouts are in on the act.

Vitamin E – a glorious vitamin that resides in eggs, wholegrains, avocadoes, salmon, sardines and mackerel,  unrefined oils, leafy veggies

Zinc – abounds in beef, fish and eggs, along with wholegrains, seaweed, and to a lesser extent in peas, beans and nuts.

Selenium – beef, pork, turkey, fish and eggs, milk and yoghurt

Essential Fatty Acids – increase your intake of fish and flaxseed oil to capture your quota of these essential fats.

The Mediterranean diet is highly rated all-rounder for health and fertility. Part of it’s magic is the way in which people cook, eat and share food in a relaxed, appreciative way. Digestion is important, so gobbling on the go or at a desk, doesn’t give the food a chance to do its best. Probiotic foods and drinks support the microbiome – the amazing colony of gut bacteria that do lots for digestion and …mood! your gut is communicating with your mind all day long.

Coffee contains caffeine,  so do tea,  soft drinks and ‘flu remedies. Caffeine interferes with sperm quality. alcoho