Most women are aware that they should be getting plenty of folic acid when trying to get pregnant and many already know that they need to eat a healthy balanced diet, however, most do not realize that the pH of their diet may affect their fertility and that eating an alkaline diet will boost fertility.
We all need a good alkaline/acid balance in our diet to make sure our body functions are working well. Western diets are notoriously acidic and this produces an acidic environment in your body, which can be particularly hostile for sperm. Eating an alkaline-forming diet not only prevents acidity but also provides many of the nutrients required for a healthy conception.
It is important for the body and all of the biochemical reactions that take place within it, to maintain the correct PH level (which is roughly around 7.35-7.45). How we consume our food, the foods we consume, the stress we are under, and the amount of sleep and exercise we get, can all impact on the acidity levels within our bodies.
Excess acidity can lead to inflammation, premature ageing, muscle and joint pains, bloating, constipation, dull skin, lack of energy, frequent colds…to name just a few!
Micro-organisms such as yeast, fungi, certain bacteria and viruses can thrive in an acidic environment. An overly acidic environment can lead to an environment within the body being created which may impact on fertility such as, fungal overgrowth, urinary tract infections and menstrual difficulties.
Foods can be classed as either alkaline–forming or acid-forming depending upon which residue they leave during the process of digestion. Acid forming foods include sugars, refined fats, meat, dairy and salts. Alkaline foods are most fruits and vegetables, peas, beans, spices and herbs, and seeds and nuts. The aim is to try to base your diet roughly on 80% alkaline-forming foods and 20% acid-forming foods.
Too much acidity in the body can also impact on fertility. Sperm prefers a slightly alkaline environment to survive in. Too much acidity can also affect women with endometriosis and make the condition much worse. Consuming more alkaline forming foods has also been linked to an improvement in the quality of cervical mucous.
Examples of acid-forming foods include meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy produce, peanuts, cranberries, prunes, rhubarb, sugar, vinegar, table salt, carbonated drinks, tea, coffee and alcohol. Mildly acidic-forming foods include brown rice, oats, bread, beans, lentils, tofu, most nuts, olive oil, untreated honey and grain coffee substitutes.
Try to include as many of these alkaline-forming foods in your diet as you can! Alkaline-forming foods include most fruits and vegetables, millet, buckwheat, quinoa, sprouted beans and seeds, almonds, Brazil nuts, flax seed oil, herbal teas and vegetable juices.
Vegetables
- Asparagus
- Broccoli
- Chilli
- Capsicum/Pepper
- Courgette/Zucchini
- Dandelion
- Snowpeas
- Green Beans
- String Beans
- Runner Beans
- Spinach
- Kale
- Wakame
- Kelp
- Collards
- Chives
- Endive
- Chard
- Cabbage
- Sweet Potato
- Mint
- Ginger
- Coriander
- Basil
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Carrot
- Beetroot
- Eggplant/Aubergine
- Garlic
- Onion
- Parsley
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Watercress
- Lettuce
- Peas
- Broad Beans
- New Potato
- Pumpkin
- Radish
- Squashes
- Pumpkin
Fruits
- Avocado
- Tomato
- Lemon
- Lime
- Grapefruit
- Fresh Coconut
- Pomegranate
Nuts & Seeds
- Almonds
- Coconut
- Flax Seeds
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Sesame Seeds
- Sunflower Seeds
Also, in addition, to help to alkalise your body …
- Reduce red meat consumption
- Drink lots of water – filtered preferably (with a slice of lemon where possible)
- Reduce stress
- Avoid too much sugar
- Eliminate coffee and alcohol
Recipe ideas
- Make your own green juice each day from a combination of green apples, celery, kale, parsley and spinach leaves.
- Scrambled eggs with watercress or baby spinach on toasted granary bread
- Quinoa with diced chicken breast, sliced avocado, rocket and celery
Hearty Vegetable Soup
or an Easy Vegetable Broth (use organic vegetables where possible)
Makes about 8-10 bowls, so you can freeze any that is left over
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic crushed
3 large carrots, diced
3 potatoes, diced
1 cup diced autumn squash of your choice
2 large tomatoes, diced,
4 sticks of celery, diced
2 small courgettes diced
1 red pepper, seeded & diced
1 can of cannellini beans, rinsed (or dry beans, soaked and pre-cooked)
Himalayan salt or sea salt
1/2 cup fresh chopped parsley, additional 2 tbsp for garnish
1/2 cup fresh chopped parsley, additional 2 tbsp for garnish
For the broth
additional vegetables as required
1/4 onion
1/4 small cabbage
2 small courgettes
4 carrots
4 sticks of celery
1/2 red pepper
filtered water
Method
Place all broth vegetables into a juicer and juice.
In a large pot add diced onion, garlic and 2-3 tbsp of the filtered water, steam fry for a few minutes until the onions are see through.
Add the broth and one cup of the filtered water. Heat the broth and then add the carrots, potatoes and squash, simmer for 5 minutes.
Now add celery and courgettes and simmer for 5 minutes.
Next, add the peppers, tomatoes and cannellini beans and simmer for 5 more minutes, adding a little bit more water if required. Season with Himalayan salt or sea salt and stir in the chopped herbs.
Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped basil and parsley.
