Fertility diet: what to eat when you're trying to get pregnant

For the purpose of this article 'girls, females, or women' are those individuals assigned as female at birth. "Boys, males or men" are those individuals assigned as male at birth. It is not intended to exclude or dismiss individuals who do not identify as female or male.

Can a fertility diet really help you conceive?

Excitement, fear, anticipation, and concern are just some of the emotions felt by many couples trying to get pregnant. Some nerves around infertility are normal, as it can take some time. In fact, it's only after a year of trying without success that couples may be investigated for infertility problems.

When it comes to fertility, not everything is within our control - but what we eat and drink could make a difference to our chances of conceiving. The evidence to back this so-called fertility diet is growing - and both partners can benefit¹.

A fertility diet isn't a strict and definitive eating plan. Rather, it's a term used to describe a healthy, varied, and well-balanced diet filled with foods that support - rather than inhibit - ovulation, sperm health, reproductive hormones, and other important mechanisms involved in conception.

Foods to include on a fertility diet

Healthy fats

As long as you watch the calories and portion sizes to maintain a healthy weight, some types of dietary fat improve fertility and prevent embryo loss². The trick is to consume mono-unsaturated fats, which are healthy and nutritious: "Plant-based fats like nuts, avocados, olive oil, and grapeseed oil contain antioxidants and reduce inflammation, which in turns helps support regular ovulation," says Dr Frederick.

Fruit and veg

Eating a colourful variety of fruit and vegetables will nourish your body with the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to support conception. It's also the best way to supply your body with glutathione - an antioxidant that helps preserve all other antioxidants. In doing so, glutathione significantly reduces cell damage and improves the quality of eggs, embryos, and sperm³.

"I especially recommend asparagus and kale," says Dr Frederick. "These are good powerhouse vegetables that deliver high doses of glutathione."

Complex carbs

Swapping refined carbs for complex carbs - also called fast and slow carbs - reduces blood sugar spikes because complex carbs are digested more slowly. Dr Frederick explains that good blood sugar control is one of the key mechanisms at work in a fertility diet: "You want to avoid foods that increase insulin resistance - a hormone released into the bloodstream during blood sugar spikes that can disrupt ovulation. Instead, choose complex carbs like whole grains, brown rice, quinoa."

In women, high blood sugar and insulin resistance may cause unpredictable menstrual cycles, disrupt reproductive hormones, and prevent embryos from implanting in the womb. Men are also not immune - high blood sugar can contribute to erectile dysfunction and sperm damage, particularly in those with diabetes or prediabetes.

Plant protein

According to the fertility specialist, when it comes to fertility diet protein sources - think plant rather than animal. Even though chicken, pork, turkey, and beef are good sources of protein, iron, and zinc, animal protein contains more saturated (unhealthy) fats⁴ and affects blood sugar and insulin differently compared to plant protein⁵.

As a result, diets containing plant protein appear to significantly improve fertility. One study of 18,555 women found that those who got 5% of their energy intake from plant protein, rather than animal protein, had a 50% lower risk of infertility⁵.

Fish

There is one exception to the plant protein rule, and that's fish. Salmon, sardines, and tuna are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are anti-inflammatory fats that support your general health. They aid fertility in by supporting ovulation, embryo growth, and reproductive hormone production in women - and by supporting the quality and motility of sperm in men.

Dr Frederick says: "In pregnancy, omega-3 fatty acids help develop your baby's nervous system, but many people don't think about their intake before. If you're worried about mercury levels, including these options a couple of items a week is perfectly safe when you're trying to conceive."

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Ditch the dairy?

There's a lot of mixed advice and evidence for dairy in fertility diets. Some specialists, like Dr Frederick, advise consuming in moderation. This is because cows are often chemically manipulated, and scientists don't yet know how much this could influence your own reproductive hormones.

If you are consuming dairy, the doctor recommends her patients to opt for probiotics and full fat dairy products - such as milk and yoghurt - over the low or non-fat products. There's some evidence the former is better for fertility, although results are mixed⁶.

Foods to avoid on a fertility diet

With Dr Frederick, we've explored the science behind the foods that lead to improved fertility. The same science also tells us which foods to limit or avoid.

You may not be able to fully cut out some of these foods, but keeping this list handy can be helpful when you're trying for a baby.

How to have the best chance of success with your fertility diet

When you're trying for a baby, there are no guarantees, but knowing that you are doing what you can by feeding your body the right nutrition can help keep you feeling calm and happy in what can be a time of emotional ups and downs.

Dr Frederick shares the top tips she gives her patients:

• Eat as if you're already pregnant - the same foods that are good for growing babies are also fertility-friendly, and good for you in other ways too.

• Don't neglect the vitamin supplements - for improved ovulation, women should focus on folic acid, iron, DHA omega-3 fatty acid, and vitamin D. Men should prioritise selenium, zinc, folate, and vitamin B12 for better sperm mobility and count.

• Folic acid is a particularly important supplement for all women trying to get pregnant - it reduces the chance of neural tube defects.

"For male patients, I recommend the same foods as I do for women, but there are also a couple more things to think about," says Dr Frederick.

"Eating and drinking lots of dairy has been linked to poor sperm count and mobility. Also, while protein is important for women too, men should really focus on consuming a high amount of protein in both food and supplements. This is because protein prevents testosterone - the male reproductive hormone - being converted into oestrogen. The different supplements men and women should take are listed above."

Further reading

1. BDA: A clinical update on diet and fertility.

2. Gatti et al: Unsaturated fatty acid intake during periconception and incidence of achieving pregnancy.

3. Adeoye et al: Review on the role of glutathione on oxidative stress and infertility.

4. González-Rodríguez et al: Nutrition and fertility.

5. Chavarro et al: Protein intake and ovulatory infertility.

6. Wise et al: Dairy intake and fecundability in 2 preconception cohort studies.