Dietary recommendations to increase chances of conception

Useful for everyone not only for people who are trying to conceive

3 months before trying to conceive, please take the below tonics

1. Haem up in the morning : It has folic acid and iron, necessary for baby’s brain dev... It also prevents birth defects

2. calcimax: calcium and magnesium at night

u may also consult a doctor and have the tonics.. Mostly they will give these only...

This was given by my Doctor: Chitra Ramorthy, Apollo, Bangalore




                                     

Courtesy : Kumudham Snegidhi, Dr.Jamuna

You are what you eat. Stop eating junk food. Eating good food increases the chances of conception.

Avoid:

1. Avoid processed foods and refined foods like Maida, puffs, burger, soft drinks etc. Some of them increase cholesterol levels, which affects the chances of conception!
2. Avoid storing food items in refrigerator and using them.  Even idly batter prepared at home has to be stored for 2 days only.
3. Prepare fresh foods and consume. Avoid preparing foods the previous night and consuming them the next day. It is devoid of nutrients!
4. Avoid readymade items like ginger garlic paste. Turmeric power available in market is bad for health as chemicals are added to brighten it. Also avoid masala powder since it has chemicals and tapioca powder added.

Consume:

1. Dhall
2. Avarai, Radish, Noolkol, banana stem,drumstick keerai, ponnankanni, sirukeerai, mint
3. Rasam prepared with pepper, jeera, garlic, asafetida (full, not powdered one), coriander, ginger cures PCOS.
4. Horse gram decreases obesity and cures menstruation problems. Can mix turmeric powder and consume.
5. Small onion + green gram increases the sperm count. Can also roast onion in ghee and consume.
6. Consume grapes, raisins,almonds, walnuts regularly.
7. Consume curry leaves, drumstick greens. This increases hemoglobin.
8. Earthen pot cooking increases the quality of sperms. It has many other benefits too.

Foods for women:

1. Foods rich in iron such as sesame seeds, vellam, curry leaves, drumstick greens
2. Urad dhall
3. Gingely oil
4. Green leaves, Coriander, Mint
5. Small onion

Foods to increase sperm count:

1. Karunai kizhangu
2. Satti karunai kizhangu (weekly twice)
3. Nonveg : Goat(Based on your sperm count. Avoid cow meat )
4. Eat drumstick greens twice in a week. Eat drumstick flower mixed in milk.
5. Milk + almond powder
6. Wheat upma with vegetables
7. Raagi
8. Use Small onion in Sambhar etc. Roast small onion in ghee and consume
9. Mint leaves in empty stomach. Coriander leaves in empty stomach
10. 6 Almonds (daily), Raisin, Pista, Dates(daily),ground nut
11. Vegetables (Daily) and Green leaves (daily 1 variety) like spinach,Araikeerai
12. Items prepared in Urad dhall like vada, kali,laddu (weekly thrice) 
13. Green gram
14. Garlic (daily)
15. Fruits like apple, orange (daily), anar,mango,jack fruit/raw, lemon
16. Banana (Daily based on your weight. Sevvalai (red) if possible)
17. Fenugreek
18. Sago (javvarisi)

Use nattu sakkarai (karumbu sarkarai) or atleast Jaggery. Avoid white one!.

Eat these to detoxify your body

1. Banana Stem + Green gram weekly twice

2. 3 vegetables daily

3. 1 green leaf daily

4. Small onion daily

5. Ginger, Garlic

6. Jeera, pepper

7. Asafoetida (full, not powdered)

8. Grapes, apple , orange and other fruits

Amla enhances fertility:

 By balancing Apana Vata and by nurturing all the dhatus (body tissues), Amla-Berry also keeps menstruation regular and healthy. Amla-Berry supports the reproductive systems of both men and women and can help overcome difficulty in conceiving. It is a vrishya herb, which means that it enhances all the seven tissues (dhatus), including the reproductive tissue. This herb nurtures the ovaries and sperm, and it has a property called garbhasthapana, which means it enhances fertility and the possibility of conception. It is especially nurturing for women, strengthening the uterus and supporting reproductive health.

More foods (Collected from net):

Vegetables:

1.     Yams: Rich in folate, vitamin C and B6, these tubers from the Diascorea family contain a substance similar to progesterone, and can stimulate the ovaries to release more than one egg each month. The more eggs your ovaries release, the higher your chances of getting pregnant.

2.     Cruciferous Vegetables: This family of vegetables includes broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage, all of which contain a substance called indole-3-carbinol. It regulates estrogen metabolism, helping to convert “bad” estrogens into “good” ones. Cabbage іѕ a vegetable loaded with sulforaphane which boosts cancer-fighting enzymes.

3.     Green leafy vegetables especially spinach is loaded with antioxidants, iron and folic acid all needed to maintain the good health of your reproductive organs. Folic acid present in spinach not only assists you in getting pregnant by generating viable eggs but also prevents defects in newborns. Also consume broccoli, spring greens, cabbage and kale

4.     Orange and yellow vegetables: They are good sources of antioxidants and beta carotene. Beta carotene helps in correcting hormonal imbalance and also eliminates the chance of miscarriage.

5.     Vitamin C: blueberries, papaya, oranges, kiwi and strawberries

6.     Sweet Potatoes -Sweet potatoes are a healthier substitute than white potatoes. They contain large amounts of vitamins A and C as well as a good amount of dietary fiber.

7.     Beets are like red spinach, equally gοrgеουѕ and very nutritious. It is an excellent source of folate. Its natural red pigments аrе potent antioxidants, which help strengthen your immune system.

8.     Baby carrots: Carrots are full of vitamin A and fiber

9.     Beans and Legumes - Beans such as pinto, red and black beans as well as lentils are packed with fiber, protein, folate and tryptophan. These beans also contain a little known mineral called molybdenum which helps to detoxify sulfites (a substance often added to processed foods such as deli meats and salads.)

10.  Tomatoes 

11.  Swiss chard іѕ a green leafy vegetable thаt іѕ packed wіth carotenoids thаt іѕ ехсеllеnt іn maintaining healthy eyes.

Fruits:

1.     Blueberries-These healthy berries contain vitamin C, manganese and are chock full of antioxidants.

2.     Bananas: For a quick, healthy snack, bananas are ideal (get a banana protector to stop them from squishing in your handbag!). They make for a nutritious energy boost and are great sliced on porridge, cereal and toast or blended into a smoothie. Bananas are also a particularly rich source of potassium which helps to control the balance of fluids in your body so they're great for reducing water retention and may also help to keep your blood pressure on an even keel.

3.     Apricots: Another handy snack that's great for a natural energy boost, apricots are full of iron and are a good source of folate, calcium and magnesium, a mineral that helps our bodies turn food into energy. As they're full of fibre they can also help to keep bowel movements regular, not to mention being an excellent source of beta carotene, the plant based form of vitamin A that's safe to consume in pregnancy (animal based sources such as cod liver oil aren't recommended for consumption while you're expecting). Beta carotene helps to strength your immune system and assists your baby in both developing their own immunity as well as their skin and vision.

4.     Flax Seeds: Another good source of Omega-3s. In fact, it is made up of 57% Omega-3s (Nourishing Traditions Cookbook). I put a tablespoon of flax seed oil in my nutritious power smoothie and a teaspoon in my kids’ hot oatmeal for breakfast.I also grind flax seeds in a small coffee grinder and add them to my hot oatmeal, whole-grain pancakes or any home baked treat! My new favorite: flax oatmeal cookies!

5.     Avocados: Not only are they delicious, but they are rich in essential fatty-acids. A typical avocado contains 30 grams of fat, but 20 of these fat grams are health-promoting monounsaturated fats, especially oleic acid. You need the right kind of fat to help baby grow!

6.     Plums are packed with powerful antioxidants and are fаntаѕtіс in relieving constipation whісh іѕ commonly experienced during pregnancy.

Nuts and seeds:

Nuts and Seeds: Foods such as almonds, flax, walnuts, and pumpkin are a great source of essential fatty acids. The omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids are not only hormone regulators; they’re also part of the structure of cell membranes, body tissue, and brain development of the fetus.

1.     Walnuts: Don't like fish or eggs, but still want to get those omega-3s which are so important for your baby's brain growth? Try walnuts, suggests dietitian Kate Geagan, author of Go Green, Stay Lean. "Walnuts are one of the richest sources of plant-based omega-3s," she says. "A handful of walnuts is a great choice for an on-the-run snack or an addition to a salad."

2.     Raisins: A small (1 1/2-ounce) box provides a little boost of fiber, iron, and potassium while satisfying a sweet tooth.

3.     Almonds: Almonds are high in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant with cancer-fighting properties that Americans don’t typically get enough of, says Melinda Johnson, MS, RD, spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. Almonds are also higher in fiber than any other nut, which can help fend off constipation and hemorrhoids, two common pregnancy side effects. Get more: Sprinkle some on salad, or mix almonds with dried fruit, put them in a baggie and stash in your office drawer or your car. Use almond butter on high-fiber crackers. Note: Though the jury is still out on whether or not prenatal exposure to certain foods increases the likelihood of food allergies down the road, if you or your partner has a nut allergy, speak to your doctor before eating any nuts.

4.     Pumpkin seeds make fаntаѕtіс snacks аѕ thеу аrе packed wіth magnesium. Taking high levels οf magnesium reduces thе risk οf early fetal death.

5.     Seeds: Sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds are great for snacking and adding to cereal and salads and are bursting with good-for-you-and-baby nutrients. They're a rich vegetable supply of essential omega fatty acids as well as potassium, zinc, iron, calcium and a whole other range of vitamins. Try grinding them in a coffee grinder and stirring them into soups and stews if you're not keen while coupling them with dried fruit gives you instant trail mix.

Others:

1.     Cinnamon іѕ helpful іn controlling blood sugar аnd cholesterol levels. Add іt tο уουr oatmeal οr hot chocolate tο continually delight іn іtѕ potent health benefits.

2.     Turmeric іѕ nοt οnlу a ехсеllеnt spice; іt аlѕο carries anti-cancer аnd anti-inflammatory properties.

3.     Asparagus, snow peas

4.     Chick peas Garlic for antioxidants and selenium

5.     Waterrmelon, pink grapefruit, pink guava, papaya, and red bell pepper.

6.     Coconut Oil: Extra-virgin coconut oil is a medium-chain fatty acid that is “absorbed directly for quick energy and contribute(s) to the health of the immune system” (Nourishing Traditions Cookbook). It can be used to cook using high heat without turning into a trans-fat. That is why I especially love to bake with it! This is a powerful yeast fighter because is anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-microbial. I’ve seen it work wonders in our family when ingested internally as well as applied externally. Let it become one of the main fat sources in your family’s diet.

 If you are a vegetarian, ensure that your diet is not deficient in Vitamin B12 and protein.

Non Veg:

1.     Oysters: The rumor of oysters being an aphrodisiac has some truth; oysters have the highest zinc content of any food and can make you frisky! This is an effective part of a fertility diet, and may naturally increase your chances of getting pregnant.

2.     Salmon: Not only is salmon brimming with high-quality protein, says Ward, but it's an exceptionally good source of omega-3 fats. And unlike swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, and shark, salmon has low amounts of methylmercury, a compound that can be harmful to your baby's developing nervous system. Just remember that even for salmon and other low-mercury fish, such as canned light tuna and pollock, the FDA recommends eating no more than 12 ounces per week to avoid ingesting too much mercury.

3.       Sardines: Sardines аrе rich іn omega-3 аnd hаνе virtually nο trace οf mercury. Thеу аrе rich іn calcium аnd аlѕο contain iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper аnd manganese аnd a full line οf vitamin B complex.

Source	Foods containing Nutrition
Proteins	For vegetarians: paneer, tofu, cheese, yogurt, milk, peas, all kinds of beans and dals, and all kinds of nuts. For non-vegetarians: all types of meats such as beef, pork, poultry, lamb, veal, kidneys and liver; all kinds of fish; and eggs
Carbohydrates	Sugar, breads, cereals, rice, potatoes, pastas
Fats	Milk, cream, cheese, butter, margarine, cooking oil, cooking fats, mayonnaise, salad dressings, and nuts, bacon, lard.
Vitamin A	Fish oils, egg yolk, offal, milk, cheese, butter, margarine, fruits like bananas, peaches and apricots, carrots, brussel sprouts, spinach, tomatoes, turnips, beetroots.
Vitamin B1	Beans, peas, all kinds of nuts, wheat, crude rice, soya bean, yeast, eggs, liver, kidneys, brain, heart, seafoods and fish oils
Vitamin B2	All kinds of meat, liver, kidneys, heart, brains, all kinds of fish, all kinds of nuts, milk, cheese, cream, yeast, whole wheat, peas and beans
Vitamin C	All citric fruits like oranges, tangerines, grapefruit, tomatoes, black currants, melons, and strawberries. Vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, carrots, radish, brussel sprouts, watercress and brocolli. Note that vitamin C gets destroyed on cooking or heating.
Vitamin D	Fish oils and fish extracts, animal fats and eggs; Milk and milk products like cheese and butter.
Vitamin E	Wheat germ oil and cotton seed oil. Vitamin E is also present in limited amounts in eggs, milk, butter, cheese, unpolished rise, wholewheat bread and wheat.
Iron	All types of meats, especially liver and kidneys. Also found in eggs, spinach, cabbage, brussel sprouts and broccoli.
Calcium	Milk and milk products like cheese, butter, cream, etc. spinach, broccoli, all kinds of nuts, eggs, and all kinds of fish.
Folic Acid	Green leafy vegetables, liver and kidneys. Normally also taken as supplement in form of tablet.
Minerals - Phosporus	Seafoods, cheese, eggs, milk, meat, onions and wholemeal bread.
Minerals - Copper	Meat, liver, cheese and beans
Minerals - Iodine	All fish foods and fish extracts
Minerals - Manganese	Peas, beans, wheat products, green vegetables and animal liver.
	Green leafy vegetables and fruits: Apricots, mango, yellow peaches, papaya, persimmon, pumpkin, beet greens, broccoli or turnip greens, carrots, lettuce, spinach and sweet potatoes. Other fruits and vegetables: apples, asparagus, bananas, bean sprouts, green beans, blackberries, raspberries, brussel sprouts, cherries, grapes, mushrooms, peaches, okra (lady's fingers), parsley, pears, potatoes and pineapple.