Nutrition for him and her pre-conception

[Anonymous]

So I've done some reading lately, and just saw something on this board that makes me wonder... what kind of advice do you guys get for nutrition while TTC? DH and I have a drink (or two - for him, three) daily. I have cut out all coffee, but still drink tea, and very occasionally, a caffeinated soda (maybe 1x/week). I have noticed that since I cut out coffee, my premenstrual migraines have completely disappeared - so, YAY for that!

We have twice conceived naturally (one DD, and one m/c), without giving any special thought to nutrition (I'm generally a healthy eater, but DH, not so much), but this last time is taking forever, so I'm wondering if there are minor changes I should be making in terms of nutrition that would enhance our potential?

I exercise 3-4 x a week now. DH - maybe once or 2x.

[Anonymous]

Here's some advice I got (both for general preconception health and help with infertility) from my infertility specialist at Cornell and an MD who also specializes in chinese medicine and infertility:

-- do not eat Atlantic salmon or fish high in mercury
-- do not eat canned tomatoes (cans are lined with BPA and the acid in the tomatoes makes that lining extra dangerous)
-- don't eat loads of tofu
-- do not eat microwave popcorn (it has some kind of scary chemical in it)
-- otherwise just eat a generally healthy diet and a couple drinks a week are fine (red wine is best)
-- neither doctor suggested any diet changes for DH
-----
I am also trying to avoid artificial sweeteners, but none of the doctor's suggested that. Hope that helps!!!

[Anonymous]

thanks!

[Anonymous]

Wow, I hadn't heard that about canned tomatoes. I love those. My RE said for both of us to avoid caffeine and alcohol. My cousin's RE had them both stop all other medication: no asprin, ibuprofen, antihistimines, nothing. A big deal as he is very allergic to dust and what not, so no inhaler for 3 months prior.

[Anonymous]

PP 14:04 here. I miss canned tomatoes soooo much. I used to make the best pasta sauce with the Muir Glen ones. They have boxed tomatoes at Whole Foods, but it is not the same...

Cornell also said some caffeine is OK and the Chinese medicine guys said that black tea was fine, but I may stop both during my next cycle just because I am paranoid. Good luck everyone!!!

[Anonymous]

There's emerging research to suggest diets high in antioxidants improve fertility in both men and women. So, up your fruit and veg intake and take a multivitamin.

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

No alcohol at all? I've actually heard wine is fine (not huge amounts, of course) and also that exercise can really help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP 14:04 here. I miss canned tomatoes soooo much. I used to make the best pasta sauce with the Muir Glen ones. They have boxed tomatoes at Whole Foods, but it is not the same...

Cornell also said some caffeine is OK and the Chinese medicine guys said that black tea was fine, but I may stop both during my next cycle just because I am paranoid. Good luck everyone!!!

Wait - the muir glen ones - we love them! don't they have the 'safe'=white lining? i thought only no lining (silver) cans are bad? oh noooooo.

[Anonymous]

The ONLY canned goods in the US that are BPA free are Eden Organics. But even their tomato-based products have BPA in the lining because they haven't found a cost effective BPA alternative for the highly acidic tomato goods. Sorry. Muir has BPA.