Here's my short list of superfoods for super fertility:
Maca – helps to increase progesterone, which is extremely important to enhance fertility and the ability to hold the pregnancy. Maca comes from peru and is a tonic for the endocrine system. You can take this product daily. It comes in liquid, capsule and powder form.
Blue Green Algae: Chlorella (fresh water green algae) Spirulina (salt water blue- green algae)– a tiny aquatic plant that has been used by humans since pre-historic times. It's the origin of life-giving nourishment on the planet. It is packed with nutrients (protein, vitamin A, iron, phytonutrients, etc). Blue-Green Algae nourish the endocrine, nervous, and immune systems and regulate metabolism and repair tissues. The most important quality is its ability to detox the body and help to keep it alkaline (cervical mucus which transports sperm is alkaline, so it's important to eat alkaline foods).
Flax Seeds - Flax seeds contain B vitamins, maganese and magnesium. They are high in Omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids which your body needs to balance hormones. They also contain phytoestrogens (plant estrogens) knowns as lignans, which block harmful xenoestrogens (synthetic chemicals in the environment which have estrogenic properties) in the body. Try to get about 2-3 tablespoons of flax seeds each day; grind them up for optimal absorption and benefits. You can add them to smoothies, oatmeals or sprinkle them over a salad or oatmeal.
Acai Berry - boosts energy levels, improves digestive function, improves mental clarity/focus, promotes sound sleep, provides all vital vitamins, contains several important minerals, and is an extremely powerful free radical fighter. Acai also has very high levels of fibers, cleanses and detoxifies the body of infectious toxins, strengthens the immune system, enhances sexual desire and performance, fights cancerous cells, slows down the aging process, promotes healthier and younger-looking skin, alleviates diabetes, normalizes and regulates cholesterol levels, helps maintain healthy heart function, minimizes inflammation & improves circulation.
Bee Pollen - Bee pollen contains all the essential components of life. The percentage of rejuvenating elements in bee pollen remarkably exceeds those present in brewer’s yeast and wheat germ. Bee pollencorrects the deficient or unbalanced nutrition, common in the customs of our present-day civilization of consuming incomplete foods, often with added chemical ingredients, which expose us to various physiological problems.
Royal Jelly - This rich concentrated food contains remarkable amounts of proteins, lipids, glucides, vitamins, hormones, enzymes, mineral substances, and specific vital factors that act as biocatalysts in cell regeneration processes within the human body. Although some of the elements found in royal jelly are in microgram quantities, they still can act supremely with co-enzymes as catalysts or can act synergistically. (Meaning, the elements’ action combined is greater than the sum of their actions taken separately.) Royal jelly is rich in protein, vitamins B-1, B-2, B-6, C, E, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, inositol and folic acid.
Goji Berries - these tart little berries improve fertility and help to treat sexual dysfunction. They are particularly useful for those suffering from endometriosis and PCOS or anyone trying to balance hormones. They are believed to increase sexual fluids and enhance fertility.
So now that you know what superfoods are great for fertility and preconception health, how do you incorporate them into your diet? Smoothies are a great way to put a new twist on something old. Also, try my Banana Berry Fertility Bread!
Recipes:
Super Food Smoothie
▪ 2 Scoops Protein Powder (non-hormone/ no artificial sweeteners or additives)
▪ ½ Banana (frozen or fresh)
▪ 2 Tsp. Organic Spirulina Powder
▪ 1 Tsp. Maca
▪ 2 Tsp. Organic Royal Jelly/ Bee Pollen/ Propolis Plus
▪ ½ Cup Frozen Sambazon Pure Acai
▪ 1 Cup Raw Organic Milk or Unsweetened Almond Milk
▪ 3 Pieces of Ice (optional)
Blend until smooth and enjoy!
Banana Berry Fertility Bread
▪ 1 Cup Gluten-Free Flour
▪ 1 Cup Non-Hormone Protein Powder
▪ 1 Tsp. Baking Soda (aluminum free)
▪ 1 Tsp. Baking Powder (aluminum free)
▪ 1 Tsp. Cinnamon
▪ ½ Tbsp Xanthan Gum
▪ ¼ Tsp. Sea Salt
▪ 3/4 Cup Overripe bananas (about 3 mashed)
▪ ¼ Cup Fresh Organic Berries (raspberries, blueberries, strawberries)
▪ ¼ Cup Raw Organic Coconut Oil (or use grapeseed oil if you don’t like the coconut)
▪ ½ Cup Unsweetened Organic Coconut (shredded)
▪ 1/3 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
▪ 1/3 Cup Raw Organic Agave
▪ ¼ Cup Raw Chopped Nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, etc.)
▪ 2 Tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract
Preheat Oven to 350*F. Lightly oil a loaf pan with olive oil.
In a medium bowl whisk the baking flour with the baking soda, baking powder, coconut, cinnamon, xanthan gum, and salt. In another bowl, whisk the bananas with the oil, agave nectar, unsweetened almond milk, and vanilla. Add the banana mixture to the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth. Stir in the berries and chopped raw nuts. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the banana bread cool on a rack for 20 minutes before turning it out. Let cool completely before slicing.
Keep it Fresh!
~Terra