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Eating Well During Preconception

April 3, 2023 Stella Parker

Do this, don’t do that — it seems like the rules around what you should or should not do when you’re trying to conceive are endless, and often conflicting! And trying to follow all of that endless advice can be stressful, which is definitely on the no-no list. So what should you do? 

Ever at your service, here’s a list of key things to focus on, without any of the hard and fast rules.  

Keep it simple

A mumma-to-be needs to be nourished, and a simple way to approach preconception eating is to eat as though you’re already pregnant.  Think gorgeous wholefoods and fats, as few toxins as possible, and healthy balanced meals.   

Honestly, eating doesn’t need to be complicated. Pay attention to your body — how do certain foods make you feel? You’ll probably find that all the items you see on those avoid-lists don’t make you feel so great, especially if you over indulge. And you might find that the foods on the do-lists have the opposite effect. Every body is different though — it’s about paying attention to your body and its needs. Keep it simple.  

The best thing you can do to support your body’s fertility is to increase the ease and flow within your life in general, and avoid stressful, forcing behaviour. And sometimes that means having the bar of chocolate or cup of coffee—just make sure you skip the guilt and stress. 

Warm and nourishing

Remember we’re focusing on ease and flow here, and that includes your digestion. Foods that make your digestion work hard — like sugar, alcohol and raw food — are best to avoid. Again, this isn’t a hard and fast rule, it’s a general guideline. If you’re craving sugar, have some. Ease and flow, not restriction. 

You do want to nourish your body with nutrient rich foods that are easy to digest. These include things like: 

  • Veggies like sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots and cabbage

  • Grains like oats, rice, polenta

  • Meats and fish like chicken, salmon and trout

  • Eggs

  • Fruits like apricots, figs, plums, red grapes, apples and raisins

  • Nuts and seeds

  • Spices that bring warmth to your food like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, vanilla and ginger

Not only are these foods easy on your digestive system and full of nutrients, but they also form part of a spleen-friendly diet. If you’ve spent much time around TCM practitioners, you’ve probably heard reference to the values of this diet. This is because the spleen is intricately involved in both the digestive system and blood circulation. 

It’s not only the spleen you want to look after when you’re trying to conceive, but the kidney and liver as well. Together, they support regular menstrual cycles, healthy hormone function and  the embryo creation and journey. Many kidney-nourishing foods also help to strengthen your blood—which is key to helping the uterus build its lining, and delivering nutrients and oxygen to your baby in the womb. 

Kidney-nourishing foods include:

  • Bone broths

  • Bone marrow

  • Organ meats (ideally slow cooked)

  • Pasture raised eggs

  • Fatty wild fish like salmon or sardines

  • Bee pollen

  • Seaweed

  • Dark leafy greens

  • Kidney beans

  • Black beans

Balance and moderation

Our ‘jing’ or ‘essence’ is one way of looking at the health of our eggs and sperm. And anything excessive can drain our jing. Particularly things like: 

  • Caffeine

  • Sugar

  • Stress

  • Exercise

You may look at that list and think that one of the items doesn’t match the others - this isn’t a trick.
Yep, exercise is good for you, but this isn’t the time for HIIT classes or pushing your body to the limit. You’re creating the environment for a human life to be formed—you need your energy. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t exercise at all, but take it more slowly. Go for walks or swims, take a gentle yoga or pilates class. Think balance and moderation.  

The most important thing to remember is to keep it simple.
Listen to your body and go with its flow.
Above all, honour the journey you’re on—and remember you’re not alone.  

Want to learn more about how to support your preconception journey through diet? Book an appointment below:

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In diet, fertility Tags chinese medicine, preconception, diet
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