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Your Eating Habits While Conceiving

If your planning to get pregnant, it's best to refrain from drinking alcohol. Even moderate alcohol consumption can reduce your chances of conception.

It is also a good idea to start taking a prenatal vitamin (that contains folic acid) about 3 months before conceiving, if possible. Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly. But keep in mind that even if you are taking a daily prenatal vitamin, eating a balanced diet is still the best nutrition.

here is a lot of truth in the old saying "you are what you eat" - and while you're trying to conceive it's mostly significant.

Nutritionists recommend that dietary changes should be made at least 2-3 months before the intentional time of conception, as this will let your body to be better arranged for pregnancy itself.

When preparing for pregnancy, many doctors recommend a 3 to 4 month preparation period, which includes a healthy diet. While trying to conceive, it's a good time to begin good eating habits, as well as starting prenatal vitamins, to ensure that your baby will have all the necessary nutrients from the moment of conception.

Avoid junk foods, fatty foods and sugar. These foods make up the small tip of the pyramid and tend to replace more nutritious foods. If you get hungry between meals, try eating fresh fruit, vegetables, low-fat yogurt or a handful of nuts. Make sure you eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, since they contain essential sources of many vitamins and minerals, including folic acid, vitamin A and vitamin C. They are also useful in keeping you regular, because they are a great source of fiber. When trying to conceive, try and eat organic, as much as possible to avoid chemicals and pesticides which can affect your hormones.

Select foods from the five food groups - fruit and vegetables; bread, cereals and potatoes; milk and dairy products; meat, fish and alternatives; and fat-rich and sugar-rich foods. Try to eat five portions of fresh, frozen or tinned fruit and vegetables a day. Calcium is important too, so drink lots of milk (whole, semi skimmed or skimmed) a day or eat more foods rich in calcium like pasteurized cheese and yoghurt. Eat fortified cereals for breakfast as they're a good source of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Now it is not the time for you to try to lose weight so do not worry too much about calories. Instead make sure you eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.

Remember thet extremely poor eating habits before pregnancy can harm both you and your baby, as well as your fertility. Cut down on caffeine now, because it has been proven to have a harmful effect on reproductive health. It has also been known to delay your chances of conceiving. Coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa, soft drinks and some over-the-counter drugs contain caffeine. Avoid herbal teas, without first talking with your doctor, because they can be potentially harmful to your unborn baby.

If your planning to get pregnant, it's best to refrain from drinking alcohol. Even moderate alcohol consumption can reduce your chances of conception.