Q&A: Nutrition and Getting Pregnant?

There are a few good reasons to fine-tune your eating habits now. First, a balanced  diet is linked to increased fertility. The healthier you and DH are, the better your chances of conceiving. Plus, eating wisely now will get your body in prime condition to have a healthy pregnancy once you conceive.

So how do you start? Make sure to get several servings of fruits, veggies (especially leafy greens), whole grains and dairy every day. Cut back on refined sugar, white flour and saturated fat. You might also consider reducing your caffeine intake. Research on whether it affects fertility is mixed, but most docs say 200 mg (about one-to-two cups of coffee) a day or less is safe. A vitamin-mineral supplement is another good idea. Ask your doc for recommendations, because some contain things unsafe for baby (a prenatal vitamin is probably your best bet). Whatever you take, make sure it contains folic acid, calcium, iron, zinc, manganese, vitamin A, vitamin B6, and vitamin C.