Dietary Do's and Don'ts for a Father-to-Be
"Honey, why are you always eating meat? Eat more vegetables. You need to have a balanced diet." When Fang Jianye had finished half a plate of braised pork belly, Chen Rong said coquettishly. Fang Jianye's picky eating wasn't a new habit; ever since they got married, Chen Rong had been fighting this bad habit of his, but with little success. "I've always loved meat, and you can see I'm perfectly healthy," Fang Jianye said, glancing at Chen Rong unhappily. Ignoring him, Chen Rong continued, "We're trying to have a baby, and the father's diet is also very important." Fang Jianye stopped his chopsticks and asked nervously, "Really? Who told you that?" Chen Rong said, "Who else? Of course, my cousin Li Qian." Chen Rong's cousin, Li Qian, was nearly forty and a well-known doctor at a women and children's hospital. The moment he heard this, Fang Jianye immediately reached for the plate of stir-fried green peppers.
A baby is nurtured in the mother's body, so for the baby to be healthy and smart, the mother must eat well. Therefore, couples trying to conceive have always placed great importance on the woman's diet, while often neglecting the man's eating habits. Secondly, a husband's diet and lifestyle play a crucial role in conceiving a healthy baby. The nutritional status of the male is directly related to the family's fertility and the quality of their offspring.
★ Why Should a Father-to-Be Pay Attention to His Diet?
Many men, like Fang Jianye, prefer high-protein meat dishes and dislike vegetables and fruits. This kind of diet is not conducive to a wife's conception.
Many men scoff at fruits and vegetables, considering them food for girls trying to lose weight. In reality, the nutrients in fruits and vegetables, especially various vitamins, are essential for male reproductive physiology and their role should not be underestimated. If a man is chronically deficient in the vitamins found in fruits and vegetables, it can hinder the normal development of the gonads and sperm production, leading to reduced sperm count or impaired sperm motility. In severe cases, it can even lead to infertility.
Studies have shown that a severe deficiency of Vitamin A in men can easily damage sperm and weaken their motility. Even if conception occurs, it can lead to fetal malformation or stillbirth. B vitamins (including pantothenic acid) have a direct and close relationship with male testicular health; a deficiency can reduce male reproductive capacity. Vitamin B12, on the other hand, can increase sperm count and motility.
The "big bowls of wine, big chunks of meat" lifestyle of the heroes of Liangshan is seen as a symbol of male heroism, and many men are partial to meat. Although sperm production requires high-quality protein, if the intake of high-protein substances is too high while vitamin intake is insufficient, it can easily lead to an acidic body condition, making it difficult for the wife to conceive.
★ Five Categories of Food a Father-to-Be Should Consume
The diet of a father-to-be should be rich in high vitamins, high-quality protein, essential trace elements, and minerals to improve fertility.
High Vitamins. Consuming more foods rich in vitamins can greatly help improve the quality of sperm. Wives can pick seasonal fruits and vegetables for their husbands based on the time of year.
High-Quality Protein. Protein is an important component of cells and a key raw material for sperm production. Adequate high-quality protein can increase sperm count and quality. High-quality protein sources include salmon, oysters, deep-sea fish, and shrimp. These seafood products are not only low in pollutants but also contain nutrients like DHA and EHA that promote brain development and improve physical fitness. Additionally, various lean meats, animal livers, dairy products, and eggs are excellent sources of protein. They can help increase sperm nutrition and improve sperm survival rate. Protein foods also contain some essential fatty acids that the human body cannot synthesize on its own and must be obtained from food. However, protein intake should not be excessive; a balanced diet and good nutritional status must be maintained.
Minerals and Micronutrients. Minerals and trace elements in the body also have a significant impact on male fertility. For example, elements like zinc, manganese, and selenium are involved in the synthesis and transport of male testosterone and help enhance sperm motility and other reproductive physiological processes. A zinc deficiency can lead to underdeveloped male gonads, smaller and softer testicles, and reduced or stopped sperm production. A manganese deficiency can cause impaired sperm maturation, leading to a lower sperm count. A selenium deficiency can reduce the energy source needed for sperm motility, decreasing sperm activity. Minerals and trace elements do not need to be supplemented separately, as they are included in many high-vitamin foods. In addition to eating more fruits and vegetables, it's also good to consume more marine plants like seaweed or fungi in the daily diet.
Energy. Although energy is not a nutrient, its role is to ensure that other nutrients function properly in the body. Additionally, sperm and other reproductive physiological activities rely on sufficient energy. The main sources of energy are various staple foods in the diet, including rice, grains, and fresh or dried beans. When the body's energy is insufficient, some nutrients, like protein and carbohydrates, are converted into energy to meet the body's needs. Therefore, if energy is insufficient, it will affect the body's absorption of these nutrients, leading to malnutrition.
Folic Acid. We always advise expectant mothers to supplement with folic acid to prevent chromosomal breakage that can lead to birth defects. Now, research has shown that folic acid is equally important for expectant fathers. When folic acid is insufficient in a man's body, the concentration of his semen decreases, sperm motility is weakened, and conception becomes difficult. At the same time, folic acid in the body can synthesize with other substances to form folate, which also plays a key role in conceiving a healthy baby. If a man's folate levels are insufficient or deficient, it can increase the chances of chromosomal defects and raise the risk of the child developing serious illnesses later in life.
Some foods are rich in folic acid, and fathers-to-be can eat more of them. These foods include animal liver, red amaranth, spinach, lettuce, asparagus, sea kale, beans, apples, citrus fruits, and orange juice.
Q&A: Are there any foods a father-to-be should avoid?
During the preconception stage, men should avoid or eat less of certain foods.
Sunflower Seeds. The protein in sunflower seeds contains components that inhibit testicular function, which can cause testicular atrophy and affect normal fertility. Young men of childbearing age should not consume them in large quantities.
Garlic. Garlic has a significant spermicidal effect. If consumed in large quantities by young men of childbearing age, it can adversely affect fertility, so it should not be eaten in excess.
Celery. Celery inhibits sperm production, which can lead to a decrease in sperm count and erectile dysfunction. Regular consumption of celery can reduce male sperm count, but it can return to normal levels after 16 weeks of not eating it.
Soybeans and Beer. When sperm comes into contact with an egg, it releases certain substances to penetrate the egg's outer layer and fertilize it. Soybeans and beer contain hormone-like chemicals. Experiments have shown that even a very small amount of these chemicals can cause sperm to expend their energy too prematurely, resulting in a loss of the ability to penetrate the egg's outer layer and reducing the fertilization rate.
Dr. Xu's Friendly Reminder: A Simple Diet Plan for a Father-to-Be. I recommend that men trying to conceive eat seafood once a week, animal liver once a week, beef and beans once or twice a week; eat bamboo shoots, carrots, onions, oats, spinach, cabbage, etc., daily, and drink more than 5 glasses of water or juice per day.