Nutrition is always a priority as it contributes to optimal health at any stage of life, but when it comes to conception and preparing for pregnancy, proper nutrition is more important than ever.
A balanced and nutrient-rich diet during this time will not only help to provide the right building blocks for your unborn child, it will also help to set your body up for the immense growth & change during pregnancy and ensure you have a smoother recovery postpartum.
These are some of our favourite power-house foods that are jam packed with nutrients that promote fertility and deep nourishment:
1. GHEE
Full of fat soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. Vitamin A is a key player in hormone health & fertility. Fats like this are the building blocks for testosterone, oestrogen and progesterone. Ghee also contains short-chain fatty acid butyrate, which acts as a detoxifier, it’s anti-inflammatory and improves colon health. I love to use this in all of my cooking as my oil so nothing sticks to the pan. I also stir into dahls, curries, stews, bake with it and even add a teaspoon to my hot drinks.
2. QUINOA
A complete protein that offers all of the essential amino acids that our bodies need. These are the building blocks of our tissues. Quinoa is also full of magnesium, folate, vitamin E, iron and phosphorus. This is often referred to as the “Mother Seed” by the Incas, as they say it contains all the nutrients required to improve breast milk. I love quinoa because it’s so versatile! You can use it as a rice substitute, make a salad out of it, use it to bulk up soups, bake with it, the list goes on! A versatile grain that is deeply nourishing for all.
3. SWEET POTATO
A source of vitamin B6, which plays a key role in healthy hormone production. Sweet potato is also a source of beta-carotene which has been found to improve ovarian health, cervical fluid and follicle development. It is also rich in antioxidants that are key in reducing inflammation throughout the body. Some of my favourite ways to include sweet potato in my days is to roast it and make sweet potato chips, dice it and add it to dahls, curries, stews or soups. Another snack I absolutely love is to make sweet potato brownies with cacao powder ~ google a recipe and give it a try. I promise you won’t regret it!
Good nutrition doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need all of the fancy additions, sometimes getting back to basics is the best thing you can do. What we fuel our bodies with is paramount in determining our state of health, so by ensuring you are fuelling yourself with nourishing, nutrient packed foods, you are not only improving your health and optimising your fertility, but you’re also setting your future bubs up for the best start possible. If you’re looking to learn more about key nutrients that our bodies need to optimise fertility and during the preconception phase ~ we invite you to join us in our 12 week Conscious Conception online course. Enrolments are now open, learn more here.
These are our top 3 supermarket picks, that should be easily found in majority of supermarkets. Try adding them into your weekly meals and let us know how you go! If you have any great recipes including these 3 powerhouse foods, let us know in the comments below.
Happy nourishing ladies!
By Maddison Milton
Holistic Dietitian + Yoga Teacher
Womens Wisdom Co