Fertility superfoods: 10 foods that will balance your hormones, heal your gut and help get you pregnant

Trying for a baby soon?

Or have been trying for a while, but it just hasn't happened yet? Then you might be keen to know that how healthy our body and hormones are can vastly affect our chances of getting pregnant and having a baby. Eating foods that are full of nutrients and low in chemicals and additives is key, according to experts. When it comes to our menstrual cycle, so many bodily functions occur behind the scenes that are responsible for making this natural process happen, and the foods we eat can affect both the level of our hormones, as well as the quality of our blood and its circulation, and how well our brain is able to send messages to the rest of our body - all things that play a role our fertility. And with this in mind, you might be interested to know that there are, in fact, certain foods that can aid you in your baby making process. Want to eat something that will super-charge your fertility? Make sure to add the following foods to your shopping list: 1. Leafy greens Add them to your salad, blend them into your smoothie bowl – spinach, and other dark, leafy greens, are all brilliant sources of iron and folate, both of which support ovulation and healthy egg development. Folate, as you may or may not know, is also recommended during the first few weeks after you conceive, as this can help avoid pregnancy complications and support your baby's brain, heart and neural tube development. 2. Coconut oil Coconut oil is an amazing fat that strengthens hormones. And this matters because having adequate body fat when trying to conceive is very important. Coconut oil is a great source of saturated fat which helps our bodies build up their own fat stores, as well as this, it also contains high levels of lauric acid which is antiviral, antibacterial. Lauric acid supports our immune systems and is a key ingredient in breast milk. 3. Greek yoghurt Think you are being good by eating fat-free or low-fat yoghurts? Think again. Full-fat dairy is much better for its nutritional content, and you will get a more healthy balance of protein, calcium and vitamin D. And just FYI – experts are becoming more and more convinced about the importance of vitamin D for so many reasons, among other things its ability to regulate menstrual cycles and improve fertility by balancing out hormones. 4. Almonds Nuts, in general, are great for your reproductive health. Almonds contain a high amount of monounsaturated fats and are cholesterol-free, so including them into your daily diet can go a long way to helping improve your all-round health, including fertility, and can also help reduce the risk of heart disease. Almonds are regarded as the most fertility nutrient packed of all nuts; they are high in important reproductive system nutrients including zinc and L-arginine. They are also the best whole food source of vitamin E (a powerful antioxidant). 5. Sweet potato Sweet potatoes are nutritious and delicious root vegetables. In fact, scientists have found that sweet potatoes are among the best sources of Vitamin A, and are also naturally packed with vitamin B5, riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, and carotenoids due to their naturally orange colour. According to experts, the high doses of Vitamin A in sweet potatoes makes the vegetable ideal for consumption by women of childbearing age to enhance their fertility. As well as vitamins, sweet potatoes also contain a healthy dose of iron, which is a crucial mineral in promoting fertility in women of childbearing age. 6. Avocado Bring on the avocado toast. One of the most important nutrients for fertility is fat, and avocados are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, which are associated with lower rates of ovulatory infertility. ... In addition to fat, avocados also contain folate, potassium, and vitamin A, which are all important for reproductive health. 7. Asparagus Asparagus is a nutrient-packed superfood. It’s low calorie, will fill you up, and gives you a boost of fertility vital nutrients such as folate, vitamin K, zinc and vitamin A, vitamin C, and the B vitamin thiamin. 8. Pumpkin and sunflower seeds Sunflower- and pumpkin seeds are excellent sources of vitamin E, and they also contain high levels of selenium, zinc and omega 3 and 6, all of which have been shown to be great for hormonal balance and health. 9. Quinoa Haven't jumped on the quinoa train yet? Now is the time. This gluten-free grain is so versatile, and perfect served in salads to bulk them up and make them more filling, as a substitute for rice, or alongside any main dish you are having that day. High in fibre and protein, quinoa is great for vegetarians and vegans, but even carnivores should be getting in on the action. Quinoa has the ability to help control blood sugar, which is great for hormonal health, 10. Grapefruit