What foods are good for fertility for men and women?

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We've been trying to conceive for almost a year now and still no BFP so we've been looking at some changes we could make to our lifestyle before going to a fertility clinic.

I'm overweight so exercise is a must! I'm already tackling that and now I need to look at diet.

I've tried googling foods for fertility but there are so many different sites, it could take me forever to go through all the information.

What foods or supplements do you know of that are supposed to be good for fertility for both DP and I? I've heard banana for him, wheatgrass for me. Can any of you help me add to the list?

TIA

[crunch]

optomistic bump

[flowerfairy]

There was a thread about food/diet a while ago, from the news of the world. It wasn't that long ago it will only be on this page or one before (page 2 make a baby diet thread)
HTH

[Mandy73]

Good topic, was just thinking the same thing.

We are TCC #1 for the 11th cycle and have been making conscious effort to shed some weight (mostly by cutting down on alcohol, chocolate bars & biscuits in the week + 20 minutes walk/day - it worked! ) - I'm now 1,5 kilos above my ideal weight & GP v pleased

Bananas as you say (DH hates them though!), eggs (dito), asparagus & oysters I think is good for men (just what I've heard)

I'm on the grapefruit sick juice for better CM and we are both trying to avoid too much salt & e-numbers.

Good luck to both of you. x

[crunch]

Aw thanks Flowerfairy for finding that for me. I'm off to read it now

[crunch]

Thanks Mandy

Congratulations and well done on the weight loss.

Grapefruit is on the shopping list for tomorrow but 'yuck' at the thought of drinking it, I hate it! Still, I'd drink anything at this stage just to get a BFP

Good luck to you too

[ScaryHairy]

Men need zinc to make good sperm.
Folic acid is meant to be good for both sexes.
The woman must drink plenty of water.

I also aim to eat lots of fresh food, esp fruit, veg and whole grain. It doesn't always go that way though!

Re vits, why don't you and your DH buy good multivits? DH and I both take the Zita West ones.

[crunch]

Hi Scary

Thanks for replying.

I never thought about vitamins for him. I've been taking Pregacare which has a lot plus the RDA of folic acid.

Add vits for him to list. Check!

[mummy2olivia]

Look up Marilyn glenville and zita west. Thats the best supplement advice I've got!

There is absolutely loads of stuff you can do but I found zita wests 'how to get pregnant' very helpful and it worked 1st month after 15 months of TTC. Sadly, I miscarried but have started on a marilyn glenville supplement plan aimed at sufferers of miscarriage, its very similar to zita west but her website gives exact amounts to take for you and him. very easy to follow.

good luck!!

[RiojaLover75]

We swear by pumpkin seeds! My DH used to have a small packet everyday with his lunch and then suddenly we were expecting!

Wah hoo!!! It's the zinc, I tell ya!

[HeadFairy]

When i was ttc and under the care of the assisted fertility clinic at my local hospital dh was advised to take wellman tablets to boost his zinc levels and other important nutrients for conception. Must have done the trick cos three months later we were expecting. He did winge endlessly about it though as they're not that small and they do taste a bit marmitey cos they've got yeast in I think. Now I've got to work out a way I can smuggle them in to his food for #2!!!! Ground up in his cereal I think

[crunch]

Ooh more posts, thank you ladies

PMSL at wah hoo!

Mummy2olivia, sorry to read you had a mc . I hope the new plan works for you. Thank you for the advice and good luck to you and your DP/DH.

I'll check out Zita West, sounds good. Lots of shopping to do tomorrow, DP will be impressed He HATES shopping and I LOVE MN!

That sounds like a plan Headfairy

[minnymin]

HI, just joined today after failed IVF, anyway been looking at diet etc and pregnancy and come accross fab website for preconception with some staggerring claims about helping people get pregnant thru diet. Its a UK charity called Foresight pre conception care, just yahoo search it and there is tonnes of info on there about things to eat/not eat and why....

hope it helps and good luck

[fruitymum]

the organisation Foresight has lots of info on diet , additives etc - I think you might have to google foresight + preconception. They also do hairtesting for lack of minerals

[zsos]

i heard strawberries are good for fertility

[Countingthegreyhairs]

brazil nuts (for blokes)

[mslucy]

stay off booze & fags.
both have very negative effect on sperm count/female fertility.
They are the real evil ones, esp if you are knocking on a bit.
Avoid too much caffeine and eat lots of zinc.

If you have been trying for a year think you should get the tests done anyway - if there's nothing wrong, no worries and if there is a problem you can get help.

Your GP will refer you to a fertility specialist after a year. Both you and your dh will be tested and then the right course of action will be decided upon - I had IUI after struggling to conceive a second child and am now pg.

Can I be very rude and ask your age?

[yellowflowers]

You can mix grapefruit juice with other juices (esp orange) to make it taste better - becpomes more of a fruit smoothie then.