Once you’re pregnant, you know there are certain foods you absolutely need to steer clear of to ensure the health of your baby, but did you know that what you eat before you actually get pregnant can affect your chance of conceiving? If you’re concerned about your fertility, avoid these foods while trying to conceive.
1. Coffee
Having a kid is daunting enough, so having to give up caffeine might scare you off entirely—but don’t stress. You don’t actually have to give up coffee, you just have to ease up on it. Heavy caffeine consumption can cause fertility problems, so you don’t want to exceed 200 mg a day.
2. High-Mercury Fish
Getting your omega-3s from fish like salmon is important while trying to conceive, but not all fish are created equal. Avoid fish that are high in mercury, such as shark, swordfish, and ahi tuna, because mercury can build up in your body and stay there for more than a year. Yikes.
3. Soya bean
Soybeans contain a plant form of estrogen, and excess estrogen can cause a hormone imbalance, which in turn may affect egg production and ovulation. Make sure to avoid soybeans, and remember that many foods you didn’t even realize can contain soy, such as oils, milk, and protein bars.
4. Alcohol
You know you have to give up alcohol while pregnant, but now you have to give it up while trying to conceive, too?! Not entirely, but you do need to avoid binge drinking, because excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to a lack of ovulation, as well as abnormal estrogen and progesterone levels, so if you’re trying to get pregnant, keep it under two drinks per day.
5. Sugar
Eating excessive sugar (think candy, soda, and baked goods) leads to low blood sugar, which then messes with your levels of reproductive hormones. You need to keep your hormones balanced when trying to get pregnant, so cut back on the sugar for a bit.