8 foods that can improve your chances of getting pregnant

When planning a pregnancy, eating is as important as making love. Apart from having sex during fertile days, the food you eat can help you conceive faster and boost fertility.
1. Legumes and beans: Foods rich in plant-based protein help you conceive faster. Also, proteins, the building blocks of cells, are essential during the initial stages of fetal development. Therefore, include legumes and beans such as chickpeas, black-eyed peas and kidney beans into your  diet to boost reproductive health.

2. Green leafy vegetables: Dark green vegetables such as spinach, fenugreek and broccoli are rich in folate and Vitamin B. Both improve ovulation and the quality of the ovum or egg you release. Consuming folate before conception reduces the chances of miscarriage and other potential congenital defects in the fetus.
3. Pumpkin seeds: They are rich in non-heme iron, the type of iron found in certain plant foods that improve fertility. Research says that women who consume foods rich in non-heme iron increase their chances of conception exponentially.
4. Fish: Having two portions of fish in a week can help you conceive and stock up on protein reserves. Being rich in omega-3 fatty acids, consumption of fish helps in the development of the eyes and brain of your baby.
5. Dairy products: Don’t opt for the low-fat variety because fat, when removed from the dairy products, leads to imbalances in one’s libido. So consume whole milk products to improve ovulation and fertility.
6. Fruits: The antioxidants present in fruits have immense impact on your overall health and fertility. Choose fruits of all varieties and colours. Eat more seasonal fruits and berries.
7. Cereals and grains: They are high in fibre, starch and carbohydrate that improve gut health and reduce blood sugar levels. Choose complex carbohydrates over refined ones. Opt for brown rice over white and include whole wheat products like multigrain or brown bread, oats, jowar, bajra, ragi, etc. to your diet. These complex carbs break down into glucose, releasing energy slowly, that helps maintain blood sugar levels. Remember, high blood sugar can hinder conception.
8. Water: Dehydration can be damaging to the health of your ovum and also lead to imbalances in your hormonal levels. Drink two to three litres of water each day, not only for conception but also for your overall well-being.