Fall Fertility Boosting Foods

If you’re anything like me, you think Fall is the superior season - from the cozy sweaters, colors of the leaves changing, and the seasonal foods - it truly is perfection. While I do love to attend local/state fairs for fried foods, I also enjoy farmers markets for the seasonal harvest and trying healthy new recipes at home. Did you know that there are tons of Fall foods that you can find at either a local farmers market or your grocery store that can help boost your fertility at home?

Pumpkin Seeds: Pumpkin seeds are a great source of zinc, essential for healthy sperm and eggs. Zinc aids in the production of mature eggs and helps maintain fluid levels in the follicles, allowing eggs to move through the fallopian tubes. It also plays a vital role in testosterone production, crucial for sperm development. 

Butternut Squash: Butternut squash can be beneficial for fertility due to its nutrients that support egg and sperm health, hormone balance, and overall sperm quality. It contains beta-carotene, which the body transforms into vitamin A. This vitamin is crucial for proper thyroid function and regulating sex hormones. Additionally, beta-carotene may aid in progesterone production and enhance sperm quality and count.

Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, which supports ovulation and helps keep the immune system healthy. They are also packed with antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation. Additionally, sweet potatoes provide complex carbohydrates that digest slowly, aiding in the regulation of menstrual cycles.

Brussel Sprouts: Brussels sprouts are rich in indole-3-carbinol, which assists in metabolizing estrogen to maintain a healthy balance between "good" and "bad" estrogen. They are also beneficial for fertility, as they contain high levels of folic acid (vitamin B9), which is essential for reproductive health in both men and women.

Apples: Apples are packed with antioxidants such as vitamin C and quercetin, which supports egg quality and hormonal balance in women, and can also enhance sperm quality and motility in men. The fiber found in apples aids digestion and helps maintain a healthy weight, both of which are crucial for fertility. Additionally, the fiber in the peel may assist in detoxifying the body from excess estrogen. 

So make that pumpkin pie and enjoy that apple cider while maximizing your chances of trying to conceive!