1. Almonds

Some of the foods that enhance fertility might not be what you expect. Take almonds for instance; who would think that some tasty nuts can help boost your chances of getting pregnant? It might sound odd, but it’s true. Almonds are high in Vitamin E which has been found to protect egg and sperm DNA as well as enhance sperm health in men.

2. Leafy Greens

You’re probably not surprised to see greens as a food for fertility since they’re packed with so many nutrients that are good for us. Leafy greens like spinach or collard greens are full of Vitamin A which can help follicles develop and improve cervical fluid. Spinach is also high in iron which has also been associated with enhancing fertility as those lacking iron have been found as less likely to conceive.

3. Salmon

Salmon is another commonly recommended food due to their high content of selenium and healthy fats, AKA omega fatty acids. According to Parent Dish, there is research that suggests that selenium can help make sperm more fertile, and even protect your eggs and his sperm against free radicals. Additionally, they state that selenium can help thwart chromosome breakage which is known to cause miscarriages and birth defects.

4. Oysters

While you’re out shopping for salmon, go ahead and pick up some oysters while you’re at it. Oysters are often thought to be an aphrodisiac, however, they are a good for fertility because they are rich in zinc, and vitamins D and B12. Vitamin D is known to help moderate glucose and tone up the uterus so that it contracts properly during labor. Share your oysters with your guy, too because their zinc content can help improve the quality of his sperm.

5. Whole Grains

Whole grains such as oats, bulgar wheat and quinoa are all touted as fab foods for fertility. When you’re trying to get pregnant, you want to keep your blood sugar levels stable as research has found that elevated insulin levels can disturb reproductive hormones. Whole grains generally help keep our blood sugar and insulin levels stable so always opt for whole wheat pasta and breads and brown rice over white.

6. Lean Protein

Lean meats and poultry are packed with iron, zinc and protein-all which are important in keeping the reproductive system in good working order and then some. If you like chicken, make sure you opt for chicken packaged as free range, cage-free or organic so that you bypass any antibiotics and hormones that are often found in chickens. WhatToExpect.com warns against consuming too much protein though, as they report that too much protein in your diet can actually lower fertility.

7. Bananas

The last food to enhance fertility that I’d like to discuss is the banana. Bananas are pretty awesome because not only are they tasty, they aid in digestion, strengthen blood, reduce swelling, improve mood and regulate hormones. Bananas can help give you a healthy dose of Vitamin B6 which helps keep hormones normalized and helps ensure proper sperm and egg development.

Living a healthy lifestyle and eating a well-rounded diet with some key nutrients can help increase your chances of conceiving. Steering clear of the usual suspects such as cigarettes and extreme alcohol consumption can impede your efforts so make sure you stay healthy! Do you know of any foods that help with fertility?

Sources: healthywomen.org, babyzone.com, natural-fertility-info.com, parentdish.co.uk, whattoexpect.com, eatingwell.com, parenting.com, foxnews.com, eatright.org, nourishedkitchen.com