The Fertility Diet

Its so hard to cut out some of these foods, especially when you've been enjoying them so long! Caffiene was the HARDEST for me to personally cut out. I probably was drinking the equivalent of a 6 pack of Diet Coke a day...sometimes more...eek.

I saw some interesting info on Fertility Authority. Read below!!

If you’re hoping to get pregnant soon or going through fertility treatments, it’s not a bad idea to make sure you’re eating a well-rounded diet that includes fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein. You should also start avoiding certain food and beverages that might hinder your efforts. Overall, cutting back on sugar, fatty foods, trans-fats, artificial sweeteners and of course, stop using any recreational or diet drugs is recommended. Here are a few more specific items you want to be careful to steer clear of:

Cigarette, alcohol and drugs
Caffeine (no more than two cups per day)
Excesses of Vitamins A, C, or D
Raw or undercooked meats
Raw or undercooked eggs
Soft cheeses
Soybeans and soy foods
Swordfish, tilefish, shark, or king mackerel

from http://www.fertilityauthority.com

Fertility and Eating Fish?

The fresh seafood of summer is one of the benefits of suffering through these heat waves. There’s nothing better than a trip to the coast and enjoying your favorite fish or shrimp or oysters …
Unfortunately, while it is a healthy food and an important source of primary nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, it can also be contaminated with mercury, a dangerous toxin that is not something you want in your body when you’re trying to conceive. A recent study from the University of Albany has found that even low levels of mercury can be harmful to IVF pregnancies. And while more studies are needed to determine if lower level guidelines should be set, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does already have advice for women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers and young children.
The FDA recommends avoiding some types of fish and eating fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury. Following three recommendations can reduce your exposure to mercury’s harmful effects:

• Do not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury.
• Eat up to 12 ounces a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury. These include such fish as shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock and catfish. Note: albacore (white) tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna.
• Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught local lakes, rivers and coastal areas. If no advice is available, eat up to 6 ounces per week of fish you catch from local waters, but don't consume any other fish during that week.

from fertilityauthority.com