When you're trying to get pregnant, what you eat matters. While much attention is often given to foods that may support fertility, it’s equally important to be aware of those that could potentially hinder it. Certain ingredients, additives, or dietary habits may disrupt hormonal balance, affect egg or sperm quality, or interfere with early stages of pregnancy. Adjusting your diet may take some time, especially if it means cutting back on familiar or favorite foods, but doing so can help create the most supportive environment for conception and a healthy pregnancy. Below, you'll find a list of beverages and foods to avoid when trying to get pregnant.
To eat or not to eat: foods to avoid when trying to conceive
Red Meat and Processed Meats
Red and processed meats are often recommended to be limited when focusing on preconception health. While research is still evolving, some studies have suggested potential associations between high intake of these meats and certain reproductive health factors. They can also have high contents of trans fats and saturated fats, which can also lead to lower chances of getting pregnant.
Sugar
When it comes to sugar and fertility, beverages with added sugar have been associated with reduced fertility and may have negative effects on reproductive health. It's also a good idea to limit artificial sweeteners, as their impact on fertility is still being studied.
Alcohol
Alcohol is to be avoided as it can affect the female hormones and can be dangerous to the fetus (especially during the first trimester). A lot of us love our morning cup of joe, especially on the way to work, which isn’t likely to affect your pregnancy as long as caffeine intake isn’t excessive. Too much caffeine can negatively affect the hormones that are needed to get pregnant. It’s often forgotten that the time before actually getting pregnant can also matter to have the best chances of conceiving.
Fish
Fish to avoid when trying to conceive include those high in mercury, such as swordfish, shark, ahi tuna, and king mackerel. High levels of mercury can damage the nervous system and be very harmful to the fetus. Eat fish and seafood that are lower in mercury content, such as shrimp and salmon, in moderation.
Supercharge Your Reproductive Health
It's often forgotten that the period leading up to conception is crucial for optimizing your chances of getting pregnant, both for you and your partner. During this time, it's critical to stay mindful of the foods to avoid when trying to get pregnant. And while it’s OK if you’ve recently had the foods mentioned above, just try your best to be in moderation or keep them to a minimum to improve your chances in a healthy manner.
At this point, it may seem like a lot has to be cut out of your diet, but there are replacement options that can help make it through adjusting what you can and can’t consume right before and or during pregnancy. The most important thing is to build a strong foundation of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and a well-balanced mix of nutrients and vitamins to support a healthy, happy pregnancy, both mentally and physically.
Explore Your Reproductive Health Options Today!
At Ovaterra, we recognize the significance of preconception health, which is why we offer a multitude of high-quality, science-backed reproductive health supplements for both men and women. These formulations, developed in collaboration with Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) specialists, complement a balanced, nutrient-rich diet.
