The nutrients that circulate through your body have a profound effect on the function of your reproductive organs. However, without guidance, it can be difficult to decide what foods you should be eating to promote fertility and what foods you should avoid when trying to conceive.
Western nutrition categorizes foods according to their vitamin and mineral content. The goal of TCM is to create an internal environment where blood and energy flow smoothly through your reproductive organs. The role of food is to fully nourish your organs so that they can function optimally.
Examples of nutrient fertile friendly foods - consider more intake of local, organically grown red, purple and dark green foods:
• Blackberries, Raspberries, Pomegranate,Plums
•Beets, Chard, Green / red cabbage, Peas
•Yams, Sweet potato, Shiitake mushrooms
• Blue-green algae, Spirulina
• Pumpkin seeds, Flax seeds, Almonds, Hazelnuts, Sunflower seeds
• Beans (adzuki)
• Rice (brown or white), Rye
• Organ meats, Clams and oysters, lamb, Free range eggs, Free range chicken
• Flax / fish oils, Coconut
For optimum fertility, limit or avoid exposure to chemicals, heavy metals, antibiotics, hormones and the following items:
• Junk food and candy
• Processed or bleached foods
• Canned foods
• Cold food and drink
• Ice cream / frozen yogurt
• Refined / processed oils
• Large fish (Tuna and Halibut)
• Alcohol
• Coffee
• Cigarettes
• Strongly scented bath oils, incense, candles, lotions and perfumes
In addition to watching what you eat, it is also important to monitor your stress levels. One of the most common problems inhibiting conception is unmanageable levels of emotional, physical and chemical stress. Often thought to come from our external environment, stress can often manifest when you eat on the go, grab a quick snack or eat out. To support your liver and reduce stress, increase your consumption of turmeric, basil, cardamom, chives, coriander, dill, garlic, orange peel, anise and thyme.
In TCM, nutrition and lifestyle are integral for enhancing fertility, and choosing fertile foods and a healthy lifestyle is the most important thing you can do for yourself. Take time to choose your foods, prepare your own meals and eat mindfully. Keep in mind that integrating acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine with diet and lifestyle helps create balance, which in turn helps enhance fertility.
