A Fertility Nutritionist Tips On How To Boost Fertility 

Last week was National Infertility week. Since so many women with PCOS struggle with infertility, I thought it would be perfect timing (ok ..one week late!) to blog about about how to boost your chances of pregnancy. I chatted with Tracy Lockwood Beckerman,registered dietitian and fertility specialist at Tracy Lockwood Beckerman Nutrition in NYC and nutrition advisor for FertileGirl.  Tracy gives us the rundown backed by nutritional science.

Here are her 5 quick tips:

1. Iron-Rich foods
Beans, lentils, spinach, oh my! It’s a good idea to fill up on iron-rich foods during the pre-pregnancy period. According to The Nurses’ Health Study II, which followed 18,500 female nurses trying to get pregnant, a diet that is iron-rich can lower the risk of ovulatory infertility. Next time you are building your plate, make sure to get a healthy serving of iron-rich foods.

2. Plant-based proteins, please!
Plant-based protein may be the way to go for those trying to conceive! According to a study in the American Journal of  Obstetrics and Gynecology, replacing animal sources of protein, especially chicken and red meat, with vegetable sources of protein may reduce the risk of infertility due to anovulation. Load up your next meal with plant-based proteins such as tempeh, quinoa or even artichokes!

3. Choose your fats wisely
Unsaturated fats (think walnuts, flaxseeds, avocados) are critical to many bodily functions and important for reproductive health. They can help the body control blood sugar and may even reduce inflammation. The “omega-3s” you’re always hearing about are part of this category. But stay away from the trans fats found in industrialized food products like fast-food French fries and doughnuts. Results from the Harvard Nurses’ Health Study II suggested that a diet high in trans fats correlated to a greater risk of ovulatory infertility.

4. Consider alcohol intake
Yes, it is okay to have alcohol in moderation! A study published in the British Medical Journal found that moderate drinking does not harm fertility. However, increasing your drink total to 14+ servings of alcohol per week was associated with an increased risk of infertility. If you are abstaining from alcohol entirely, it may not be completely necessary to increase the odds of conception. So ladies, enjoy your glass of wine tonight!

5. Maintain a healthy weight
Weight can be a critical input to the fertility equation! Aiming for a body mass index (BMI) between 18.5-24.9 may help keep your ovulation and menstrual cycle regulated. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), about 12% of infertility cases can be traced to weight issues in women, which can disrupt hormone levels and mess with your cycle. However, the good news is that small steps in the right direction can make a big difference. Overweight women who lose just 5-10% of their body weight and underweight women who gain just a few lbs can dramatically improve chances of conception. So let’s all stop trying to reach an unattainable “ideal weight” and embrace these attainable goals!

 I’d like to thank Tracy for writing this guest blog post. 
Tracy is a registered dietitian-nutritionist in New York City. She has her own private practice, Tracy Lockwood Beckerman Nutrition and specializes in women’s health and fertility. She is the nutrition advisor to FertileGirl, a preconception nutrition company that is bringing conversation to the stigma’s surrounding fertility. Tracy is also a nutrition consultant for companies such as NBC/Comcast and Time Warner Music. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University. Tracy’s food philosophy is moderation, not deprivation! She has been quoted in numerous publications such as Well + Good, Huffington Post, NYTimes, Fox, Shape and Women’s Health. See what she eats (and drinks) via her Instagram @thehappiestnutritionist.