Yes, it's true that no matter how mighty the food, for those hoping to have a baby, no one morsel or meal will guarantee a visit from the stork. However, a recent Harvard study, popularly called The Fertility Diet, has produced some compelling evidence that certain foods - such as certain beans, greens, and grains - strongly support fertility in women.* Truth be told, most of us could benefit by incorporating some these findings into our diet whether we are planning for a baby or not.

The one surprise may have been the recommendation to eat full-fat dairy. One way to think about this may be to use the whole foods rationale. Just as we benefit from eating grains all smartly dressed up in their bran and germ, or apples in their pretty fiber-rich skins, it may then stand to reason that many times nature packs real food, even milk, in the way that benefits us most.

So after reading about the Fertility Diet, you might be wondering how this new set of recommendations could translate to your own kitchen. Maybe you are simply looking for a delicious way to start the day? Or perhaps you're hosting a dinner party and want to stay true to your fertility-enhancing way of eating? Below we've provided a quick overview of some of the dietary recommendations. Those are followed by a roundup of globally inspired, fertility-friendly recipes.

• iron-rich foods: beans, dark leafy greens, seeds, blackstrap molasses
• folic acid-rich foods: beans, dark green vegetables, whole grains, citrus
• low-glycemic load carbohydrates: whole grains, most fruits and vegetables, beans, seeds, nuts
• protein from plant sources: quinoa, beans (eaten with whole grains) such as lentils, soybeans/tofu, garbanzo beans, as well as nuts, and seeds
• full-fat dairy: whole milk and yogurt, cheese, ice cream
• mono-unsaturated fats: olive oil, nuts, avocado, seeds

*Please note: “…these recommendations are aimed at preventing and reversing ovulatory infertility, which accounts for one quarter or more of all cases of infertility. They won't work for infertility due to physical impediments like blocked fallopian tubes.”

Start Your Baby-Making Engines
awesome almond buckwheat pancakes
breakfast quinoa with cranberries, toasted walnuts, and honey
cornmeal mush with blackstap molasses
greek yogurt breakfast - make sure to use whole milk yogurt

Mamma Mia!
pan-seared rosemary tofu served over buckwheat polenta
simple citrus salad with marinated avocado
olive oil ice cream

Bollywood Baby
mung dal with cashews and carrots served over brown rice pilaf
swiss chard and crisp shallot rolls with cilantro raita
honey sweetened shrikhand

Fertility Fiesta
pinto bean soup over brown rice with red chile and cheese with perfect guacamole
mexican coleslaw
whole-grain mexican wedding cookies

Good Fortune Grub
szechwan tofu triangles in triple pepper sauce served over very green rice
emerald sesame kale
green tea panna cotta

Red, White, and Baby
bean and rice "meat"loaf
creamed kale
maple baked apples with dried fruits and nuts

Bon Appetit Bébé
white bean and vegetable cassoulet with millet crust
frisee and endive salad with olive vinaigrette
frozen honey mousse

Mom-To-Be Munchies
pistachio and almond butter on whole grain graham crackers
kale crunch with greek almond yogurt dip
almond caramel corn

Comments (3) | January 16 - 2:38 PM

category: Lists, News, Recipes, Studies + Trends, Vegan / Veg, Whole Grains