To conceive a healthy baby, both you and your partner need to have "high-quality" sperm and eggs. However, research shows that many foods can negatively affect the quality of sperm and eggs. Diet during the pre-conception period is very important, and both partners should be aware of the following dietary restrictions.
Dietary Restrictions for Women
3 Types of "Contaminated" Foods
Avoid foods containing food additives, colorings, and preservatives, as well as processed foods. Fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly before consumption to avoid pesticide residues. It is best to choose fresh and natural foods whenever possible.
Caffeine-Containing Foods
Expecting mothers should not consume excessive amounts of coffee, tea, or other caffeinated beverages and foods. This is because caffeine, a substance that affects a woman's physiological changes, can alter the ratio of estrogen and progesterone in her body, which in turn can indirectly inhibit the implantation and development of the fertilized egg in the uterus.
Pickled Foods
Although pickled foods are delicious, they contain substances like nitrites and benzopyrene, which are very harmful to an expecting mother's health. They can affect the fetus's implantation and may even lead to fetal deformities.
Allergenic Foods
Allergenic foods can lead to multiple adverse outcomes, such as miscarriage, premature birth, and fetal deformities. Therefore, they should be consumed with caution during the pre-conception period.
High-Sugar Foods
Frequent consumption of high-sugar foods can often lead to metabolic disorders of sugar, and may even lead to potential diabetes. If this habit continues into pregnancy, it becomes even more dangerous, increasing the risk of gestational diabetes. This not only endangers the mother's health but can also cause developmental or metabolic disorders in the fetus, leading to fetal hyperinsulinemia and macrosomia (a very large baby).
Dietary Restrictions for Men
Alcohol
It is believed that most people are aware of the harmful effects of alcohol. Most men who are trying to conceive should avoid alcohol. Alcohol itself can easily lead to chromosomal abnormalities, which in turn can cause fetal deformities. To have a healthy and smart baby, expectant fathers should make an effort to stay away from alcohol.
Cigarettes
"My husband loves smoking, and now we want to have a baby. I asked him to quit, but he always says it's fine, it won't have any effect." Does this sound familiar?! For some long-term smokers, it might not be easy to quit. In such cases, it's still important to be patient and at least avoid smoking at home or in front of your wife.
Cola
Is it okay to drink cola during the pre-conception period? It's actually best to drink it in moderation! Studies have shown that men who consume cola-type beverages can directly damage their sperm, affecting their reproductive capacity. If damaged sperm fertilizes an egg, it may lead to fetal deformities or congenital deficiencies.
Tofu
A recent study from the Harvard School of Public Health has confirmed once again that daily consumption of soy products can significantly reduce sperm count in men. Whether you believe it or not, it should be fine as long as you don't eat too much!
High-Protein Meat Foods
Although the production of sperm requires high-quality protein, if expectant fathers consume too many protein-rich foods during the pre-conception period without paying attention to vitamin supplementation, they can easily develop an acidic body condition. In this case, the chances of conception for the woman may decrease.
Fried Foods
Foods like french fries, potato chips, and fried pastries are not only difficult to digest but also contain carcinogens, which affect health. Eating too much of these foods can easily lead to obesity, which in turn can affect male erectile function. Therefore, fried foods should also be consumed with caution!
Moldy Foods
When grains, oils, peanuts, beans, meat, and fish become moldy, they produce a large number of bacteria and aflatoxin.