If your looking for the best foods that help implantation then this post is for you.
So you’re on a fertility journey and you’re doing all the right things, yet somehow, that pregnancy test keeps coming up negative. You’re doing the low-impact workouts, tracking ovulation like an expert, getting those eight hours of sleep, you have even cut out the coffee.
The one thing you may not have tried yet? Implementing an implantation-friendly fertility diet.
Most women will know to give up alcohol and other things in order to aid with conception. However not many know that there are certain foods that actually increase fertility.
Lifestyle, stress, and food can all play a significant role in infertility. Eating the right foods can help boost your fertility and put your body in it’s best possible position for success.
Read on to hear the best foods for implantation.
So What is implantation?
Before you fill up your plate with fertility boosting foods, what exactly is implantation?
To get pregnant, your egg first needs to be fertilized by a sperm, it then becomes an embryo. You might think implantation is guaranteed after embryo transfer, however, about 60% of fertilized embryos don’t make it to this stage. After fertilastion, it needs to successfully attach to your uterine wall in a process that is called implantation.
This sends a signal to your body and tells it that it’s pregnant.
Your body then begins to release hormones, including human chorionic gonadotropin, this stops your period and triggers positive results on pregnancy tests.
However, keep in mind that there’s an optimal time to take a pregnancy test to ensure you get the most accurate reading, especially if you have an irregular menstrual cycle. If your cycle is irregular, you’ll want to wait at least 14 days after intercourse to take a pregnancy test.
The embryo also begins to absorb vital nutrients from your body and grow. To increase your body’s chances of implantation, a healthy diet is the best place to start.
What is an implantation-friendly diet?
An implantation-friendly diet is one that encourages your fertilized egg to attach to the lining of your uterus.
Foods for implantation will improve your overall health and help your body prepare for the embryo to grow and flourish in the best way.
It’d a diet that focuses on whole foods with a healthy balance of lean protein, healthy fats, and fiber.
To help with mission implantation fill up on these nutritious foods.
Foods that Help Implantation
Read on to find out the best foods that help implantation.
1. Walnuts
If you are looking for a fertility-friendly snack, then walnuts are one of the best choices.
They’re an excellent source of omega-3 fats and vitamin E (which is also great for endometrial health), as well as B vitamins and protein.
Walnuts are high in fiber and contain mention magnesium, which helps increase progesterone and is known to decrease morning sickness.
Add a handful to your diet daily for a fertility boost. They are great for adding on top of salads and oatmeal.
2. Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin c and can boost progesterone. This encourages a thick and fertile uterine lining, this help the embryo to attach itself to your uterus wall. You can get all the benefits by having a portion of citrus fruits every day:
- Oranges
- Grapefruits
- Strawberries
- Lemons
- Kiwi
3. Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are very rich in beta-carotene, which is also known to help boost the production of the hormone progesterone. Which as mentioned above help create a thick and healthy uterine lining which is vital for implantation.
4. Salmon
Salmond is another great food to fill up on in order to increase fertility. One study found that women who took omega-3 supplements where twice as likely to get pregnant.
Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and DHA. This is vital for babies’ brain and eye development. It’s high in vitamin d and protein.
Be sure to go for wild salmon to keep the mercury count low. Team your salmon for some of the other options on this list for a fertility boosting meal. Try salmon with roasted sweet potato and dark leafy greens.
5. Legumes
Legumes such as chickpeas, lentils, and beans can all boost your progesterone levels as they are high in zinc. A recent study showed that around 1 in 10 Americans are at risk for a zinc deficiency.
This mineral has also been shown to reduce miscarriage rate. Have a portion of legumes everyday. They work well in pastas, curries and in salads.
6. Leafy Greens
We all know that green leafy vegetables are important to consume daily whether were are trying to to get pregnant or not. Kale, spinach and other dark leafy green all contain calcium, iron and folate, plus that of fibre. All of which are essential pre natal nutrients.
If you struggle to much through a portion of greens then you can easily add a handful to pastas, curry dishes or smoothies.
7. Berries
Berries are arguably the very healthiest fruit you can consume. That’s because they are packed with implantation friendly antioxidants and vitamin c.
Antioxidants remove free radicals from your body which helps to boost fertility. Add a handful of berries to a smoothie or on top of your morning porridge for a healthy boost
8. Beets
Many medical professionals recommend beets to their IVF patients as it’s known for it’s implantation boosting power.
Beets are rich in nitric oxide. This can help create a thicker more fertile uterine lining ready for implantation.
Beets are contain folate, vitamin a, vitamin c, iron, and calcium
9. Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds contain omega 3’s, are fibre rich, and are inflammatory making them a staple in an implantation boosting diet.
Sprinkle them over cereal, porridge or toast for an easy way to boost your fertility.
10. Avocados
Avocados contain healthy fats, potassium, folate, and vitamin K. They also are a great source of vitamin e rich has been proven to improve the lining of the uterus.
Have avocado toast for breakfast or try this 15 minute avocado pasta.
11. Brazil nuts
Brazil nuts are rich in magnesium and zinc both of which are important for the production of progesterone. Progesterone is required for successful implantation so incorporating foods that promote this hormone can be really helpful.
You only need to eat 1-2 brazil nuts a day to get the benefits making this one really easy to incorporate into you diet.
12. Eggs
Egg yolks contain lots of vital fertility nutrients and contain choline. Choline is very important for foetal development and the formation of the placenta.
Eggs also contain protein and healthy fats. There are so many ways to enjoy eggs that this is another easy food to add into your implantation friendly diet.
13. Asparagus
Having a side of asparagus with your dinner can do wonders for your fertility. Asparagus is a good source of including folic acid and vitamin K, and the antioxidant glutathione.
Glutathione has beed shown to shield your eggs from damage and improve their quality.
14. Seaweed
Seaweed is one of the best ways to consume the mineral iodine.
Iodine deficiency has been shown to reduce fertility. So eating lots of iodine rich foods can be really benefical.
15. Kidney beans
Kidney beans are rich in iron, which is really important during pregnancy and implantation.
When you’re pregnant your iron needs increase so it’s very helpful to include lots of iron rich foods on your plate.
Preconception anaemia which is caused by low iron levels in the bloods can negatively impact pregnancy. So add kidney beans to chillis and soups for a boost.
16. Olive oil
Take some inspiration from the mediterranean diet and get in your olive oil. Some studies suggest that including the use of Extra Virgin olive oil in your diet can strengthen IVF outcomes.
Olive is a good source of healthy fats and has been shown to improve pregnancy outcomes.
17. Pineapple
Pineapples contain bromelain which reduces inflammation in the uterus. This makes implantation much more likely as it helps to thicken the lining and acts as a mild blood thinner aiding blood flow to the area.
Eating pineapple over the course of the implantation window can be a good idea.
18. Sunflower seeds
The humble sunflower seeds can improve the quality of sperm.
Sunflower seeds also contain iron which is very important to help implantation. Irons boosts blood supply to the uterus and helps build he lining to encourage implantation.
19. Pomegranates
Pomegranates contain lots of antioxidants and many other nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, all of which aid in fertility.
They are also delicious and make a great breakfast accompaniment or snack.
Read Next – Foods That Boost Progesterone and Fruit and Veggies For a Healthy Pregnancy
20. Watermelon
Watermelon is another amazing source of glutathione.
A deficiency of glutathione can cause increased oxidative stress. This creates issues with sperm and egg quality, fertilization, implantation, and the embryo development.
21. Liver
Liver is full of folate and vitamin b which can boost fertility and has been shown to improve egg quality in women who are going through IVF.
If you cant bear the thought of eating liver then try a supplement.
Read next – The Worst Foods for Autoimmune Disease or Foods that Fight Nausea During Pregnancy
So as you can see lots of whole grains, including nuts, lean protein, carbs and fats teamed with veggies and lots of fresh fruit can really improve your fertility. Foods that help implantation can really give your fertility a boost and put your body in it’s best position for pregnancy. An anti-inflammatory diet can give higher rates of implantation and help with fetal development.
A mediterranean-style diet is the best diet with lots of good fats, fatty fish, fresh fruits, and an overall well-balanced diet. Reducing consumption of red meat, fast foods and energy drinks can also boost your reproductive system.
You can also take a prenatal vitamin to ensure you’re getting all the nutrients you need and to put your mind at rest.
Some physical activity, but avoiding really intense or high impact exercise is recommended during implantation. Depending on what sort of workout you’re used to this could mean walking, cardio at the gym, swimming, or a yoga class.
Also bear in mind that fertility treatment and IVF treatment can be emotional and overwhelming. So try to stay as calm as possible to reduce stress and anxiety.
Gentle low impact activity and sleep are also crucial parts of the fertility puzzle.