We are certain now that consuming folic acid while trying for a baby can improve the chances of getting pregnant, and that alcohol must be avoided throughout pregnancy, but according to the authors of “The Fertility Diet: Groundbreaking Research Reveals Natural Ways to Boost Ovulation and Improve Your Chances Of Getting Pregnant”, by doctors Jorge E Chavarro and Walter C Willet, there are several ways of improving chances of conceiving by following the appropriate diet.

The book includes ten steps to increase conceptions, addressing specifically the problem of ovulation, which according to the doctors is the most common pregnancy-related issue. They suggest, before anything, seeing a doctor to rule out any other problems you might have if you are trying unsuccessfully for a baby. The diet the book recommends works for anyone, male or female, regardless if they are looking to conceive or not, but just want to be healthier.

The ten tips are the following:

  1. Cut out trans fats.
  2. Eat more unsaturated fats like olive oil.
  3. Get more protein from vegetables and less from meat.
  4. Pick whole grains over refined carbohydrates.
  5. Get a serving or two of full-fat dairy daily.
  6. Take a multivitamin that includes plenty of folic acid.
  7. Get iron from fruits, vegetables and beans rather than meat.
  8. Cut out soft drinks and get most of your liquid refreshment from water, with coffee or tea in moderation.
  9. Maintain a healthy weight or lose weight if you need to.
  10. Start exercising daily if you aren’t already, or pick up the pace if you do work out, unless you’re already skinny.

The main idea of the book is to help couples that are finding hard to get pregnant by giving them a tool to increase chances of success. Of course, it has to be accompanied by professional guidance and close attention of a fertility doctor.