How Effective is Preconception Nutrition in Preparing Your Body for Pregnancy? 

Preconception nutrition plays a vital role in preparing your body for a healthy pregnancy because most of the pregnancies are unplanned. If your body weight, height, eating habits, workout routine, and lifestyle are not healthy and balanced then these substances can hinder fertility in both men and women. Amid busy life focusing on health can be a neglected topic however if you want to improve your chances of getting pregnant and conceive faster then it’s important to eat healthy foods and follow a healthy lifestyle.

Your poor eating habits, lack of exercise, and intake of supplements can lead to hormonal imbalance which hinders the process of conception. All the experts across the globe agree that a woman should be healthier before getting pregnant and for that, you need to focus on preconception nutrition at least 3 months before planning of conception. Do not hum and haw to consult a doctor about preconception health if you are planning to conceive.

Some important points to discuss with your physician

Here are some things you should consult your physician about while preparing for conception:

• Family planning
• How and when to consume folic acid
• Vaccines and screenings if required like Pap test and other screenings for STIs (sexually transmitted infections) including HIV
• Find out how to manage health problems such as asthma, depression, obesity, thyroid, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.
• Never hesitate to discuss issues related to your mental health and other stress factors
• The medicines or dietary supplements that you use for instance over-the-counter, prescribed drugs, herbal, or any other
• How to improve your overall health
• Health problems that are genetic in both families (men and women)
• How to avoid common illnesses like cold, cough, stomach upset, fever, gastric issues

Many people don’t eat a balanced diet or invest ample time in exercising therefore they lack proper nutritional status which is much needed before bringing a new life into this world. We have listed a few suggestions that you must keep in mind before beginning preconception care.

What to include in preconception diet?

Here are some important nutrients to include in your preconception diet:

1. Foods rich in Folic acid

It improves fertility in both men and women, improves the sperm count and quality, and lowers the risk of neural tube defects in a baby. You can consume cereals (oats, wheat, rice, barley, and cornmeal), legumes (soybean, rajma), green leafy vegetables (beans, spinach, Methi, broccoli, spring onion, cabbage), and citrus fruits like grapes, lemons, and orange).

2. Foods rich in protein and calcium

It helps in ovulation and for that, you can consume cheese, tofu, milk, fish, peas, curd, and paneer.

3. Foods rich in iron

The deficiency of iron can lead to anemia and miscarriage and to avoid this you must consume sunflower seeds, pumpkin, tofu, fortified cereals, spinach, and soybean.

4. Nuts and seeds

By consuming chia seeds, walnuts, flax seeds, almonds, dates, and pistachios you can lower the levels of stress because these miraculous nuts and seeds provide immense energy to your body.

5. Fresh fruits and seasonal vegetables

It helps in lowering stress levels and remove free radicals because they are high in antioxidants. It also protects your body from viral and bacterial infections. You can consume strawberry, orange, sweet lime, grapes, apple, capsicum, sprouts whole, cabbage, and Brussel sprouts.

6. Things to remove

Alcohol, cigarettes, canned foods, aerated beverages, artificial sweeteners, second-hand smoke, recreational drugs, caffeine, processed foods and drinks, junk foods, oily and sugary foods. Consumption of such things will increase your weight and hinders the fertilization process.

Dietary tips to follow while conceiving

Before embracing motherhood and preparing your body for pregnancy you can follow these dietary tips:

• Have a healthy nutritious breakfast.
• Do not skip meals. Instead of taking 3 large meals, you must consume 5 smaller frequent meals.
• Maintain your BMI (Body Mass Index) and it should range between 18.5 - 24.9.
• Prefer more plant-based options to consume iron-rich and protein-rich foods.
• Invest ample time in physical activities like Yoga, jogging, Zumba, Pilates, aerobics, and brisk walking.
• Do not let your body get dehydrated or sleep-deprived.
• Be careful if your job demands you to get exposed to chemicals, toxins, or other hazardous chemicals.

You can also adopt a healthier lifestyle with Mylo Preconception Care Routine which includes workout, naturopathy and mindfulness sessions along with expert consultations. This holistic approach can help you improve metabolic health, regulate periods, maintain hormonal imbalance and boost your chances of conception.

You can consult a certified nutritionist before you decide to conceive. A healthy lifestyle with a nutritional dietary plan along with physical activities will ensure a happy, healthy, and safe pregnancy.

References

1. Stephenson J, Heslehurst N, Hall J. (2018). Before the beginning: nutrition and lifestyle in the preconception period and its importance for future health. NCBI