Fertility Road Issue 44 May/June 2018

BODY
1SUGAR
Oh yes, the white stuff. It’s addictive.
As crack apparently. I’m not sure if
that’s true but what is true is that when you have
a little you want more. And when you quit, you
suffer withdrawal symptoms.
And sugar is everywhere. Even in savoury foods.
It’s “hidden” behind fancy names in labels. but
it’s still sugar. I have a cheat sheet with all the
different ways sugars are described on labels –
get in touch if you’d like it.
Sugar wrecks delicate hormone balance.
Starting with blood sugar spikes and
crashes. It messes with fertility.
It increases appetite. It contributes to weight
management issues and weight is a factor in
fertility. It contributes to chronic diseases.
If you want to quit sugar, please don’t make the
mistake of replacing it with artificial sweeteners.
They are pretty nasty, health-harming chemicals
and they have been linked to increased appetite too.
2ALCOHOL
I know I sound like a big buzzkill and I make
no apology.
For me, preconception care is at
least 3-4 months of getting ready
to make the best egg and healthiest
sperm possible and creating a warm
and welcoming womb for a happy,
healthy baby. Because our choices
influence not only fertility, but
pregnancy and the health of our
future babies.
Well worth quitting or strictly moderating
alcohol, I think.
Booze depletes nutrition, including those vitamins
and minerals essential for fertility. It’s not good for
our gut.
It makes our liver sluggish and we women
need healthy livers to get rid of old hormones
circulating around, if we want to reduce the risk
of hormone imbalances.
It affects sperm production. And can impact sex drive.
My top tips for quitting – at least for now – are: -
• Do it together. It’s easier to follow a new plan
with support, encouragement and accountability.
• Avoid or reduce those social situations where
alcohol flows. You may not wish to get into a
convo about WHY you’re choosing not to drink.
Have your reasons ready for those encouraging
you to drink – even if it’s not the whole truth…
Suggest alternative fun like the cinema.
• Find something healthy that you can drink and
make it special. For example, pimp up your water
with fruits and herbs and have it in a fancy glass.
My top tips for quitting sugar are: -
• Crowd into your diet more sweet vegetables such as
carrots and peas and squashes and some fruit (1-2
portions of fruit a day – still sugar even though it
comes with fibre, right?) to reduce your craving for
processed sugar over time.
• Eat quality protein, good fats and fibre at every
meal to keep you fuller for longer and your energy
and moods more balanced. This should help keep
you away from the cookie jar.
• Drink plenty of filtered water (avoid hormone
harming plastic bottles) and herbal teas to help
you hydrate and detox.
I suggest choosing natural sweeteners in moderation
like stevia, raw honey, quality maple syrup and
coconut palm sugar. The emphasis is on moderation.
3CAFFEINE
Now, I know this is another potential buzzkill. We all love an
adrenaline rush, right?
I recommend giving it up as part of your baby-making plans.
Cutting back on caffeine helps support
adrenal health. Poor adrenal health can lead
to hormone imbalances.
Caffeine is another robber of nutrition too.
My top tips are:
• If you just can’t quit, have one quality coffee (not too strong)
with breakfast, never on its own.
• Try alternatives to coffee like herbal /grain drinks such as
Barleycup. They taste pretty good, honestly.
• Eat a good breakfast within an hour of waking to support
adrenal health. Remember my healthy meal equation? Quality
protein + healthy fats + fibre.
Of course, caffeine is found in tea, cola drinks, energy drinks,
chocolate and some over-the-counter medicines. Be caffeine savvy.
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