Many people often look to well-known negative habits as common factors for infertility, including smoking. However, most individuals may not be aware that fertility can be impacted by the contents of your grocery cart, as you stock your refrigerator with daily meals. For example, in a report by OB/GYN Dr. Marra Francis, food can have a big effect on ovulation, since food fats can boost ovulation while other fats can decrease it. There are many other examples of this type of impact, including the seven highlighted here:
Skipping meals or choosing to eat meals that trigger an allergic reaction can both cause your body to alter its normal cycles. When you skip a meal, your body can skip ovulation, therefore interrupting your normal body functions and causing delays (in addition to a lack of nutrition). On the other hand, choosing to eat food that your body does not respond well to often causes your body temperature to rise, which can also prevent ovulation.
Both natural and unnatural solutions can have a negative impact on your fertility, as the chemicals (such as BPA) found in plasticware have proven dangerous for fertility. While many know that microwaving manufactured plastic containers is bad for your health, you may not know that natural remedies advertised for good health can actually negatively impact your fertility as well. Individuals instead should consume a diet heavy in folic acid and vitamins to get the nutrients they need, instead of trying to shortcut with other solutions.
In the case of fertility, sometimes higher fat can be healthier. While some women may opt to consume skim milk and yogurt for a low-calorie dairy intake, drinking whole milk or eating ice cream can actually benefit fertility in the long run. Another quick liquid fix is watching your caffeine intake, as studies show that drinking high amounts of caffeine (such as in coffee) can severely impact pregnancy rates.
In conclusion, take a second to rethink your choices as you walk through the aisles of your grocery store. Even if you aren’t planning on conceiving now, these choices are healthily for your body regardless of a baby on the way and so it is worth taking the extra precautions now and in the future.