Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (42 page)

Smoking

Women who do not smoke are twice as likely to get pregnant as women who do, so don’t put it off—give up now! Prior to getting pregnant, cigarettes reduce estrogen levels. Lowered estrogen levels cut down the number of fertile years a woman has left to conceive, cause irregular periods, and make eggs and cervical mucus less penetrable to sperm.

Alcohol

The
British Medical Journal
has stated categorically that women should avoid alcohol when trying to conceive and when pregnant. Alcohol may prevent progesterone from being produced by the egg capsule, and progesterone is required to maintain a healthy pregnancy. Alcohol and baby making don’t go together.

Stress

Like good physical health, emotional health is important for fertility, too. People are of course able to conceive when under stress, but for many it proves very difficult. Stress at work has been identified as a problem for would-be moms. There are studies to show that extreme stress can even stop ovulation. Fertility units such as the Beth Israel Hospital in Boston and the Harvard University Behavioral Medicine Center have been including stress reduction in their fertility programs for years.

Caffeine

Drinking just one or more cups of coffee per day has been associated with impaired conception in women trying to get pregnant. Caffeine consumption equivalent to more than two cups of coffee per day has been associated with an increased incidence of infertility due to tubal disease or endometriosis.

Gillian’s top fertility foods

Raw shelled hemp and pumpkin seeds

Avocados

Almonds

Figs

Berries

Pomegranates

Brown rice

Oats

Nori seaweed

Quinoa

Sprouted alfalfa and sprouted sunflower

Black beans

During Pregnancy

Eat/drink

At least five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables daily, as they are rich in vitamins, minerals, and numerous protective antioxidants. When cooking vegetables, steaming and stir-frying are the best methods, as they cause minimal nutrient loss. Drinking freshly pressed vegetable juices will help increase your vitamin and mineral intake.