Eat the Rainbow for your Wellness and Fertility

 

I have been trying to get pregnant for years and been through fertility treatments without success. My fertility doctor ‘instructed’ me to eat 5 colours of fruits and veggies every day. “What??.. 5 different colours? Every day? that’s A LOT!” was the silent protest in my head.

Well… I was eager to get healthier and took her advice anyway and I’m glad I did! It wasn’t as difficult as I thought and the more I did it the easier it was to incorporate not only 5 but even more colours in my meals. (More on that in my future post).

Let’s take a look at why it’s important to fill your plate with the rainbow for optimal health and fertility boosting benefits.

RED fruits and veggies contain lycopene which is a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. They also contain anthocyanins that helps fight free radicals in our bodies. These antioxidants make up the main building blocks for good quality egg and sperm.

(think tomatoes, red bell peppers, beets, strawberries, pomegranates, red grapes, cranberries…)

 

Yellow & Orange fruits and veggies are rich in Beta carotene which gives them a vibrant orange colour and vitamin C. Both nutrients help us maintain healthy immune system, eyes, skin and hair. Some of these foods are also rich in vitamin A that helps produce female sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) that regulate the ovulation and menstrual cycle, which is important when trying to conceive.

(think carrots, orange sweet potatoes, pumpkin, oranges, lemon, papayas…)

 

Purple & Blue fruits and veggies are rich in anthocyanins which help protect cells against damage and aging, helping keep reproductive cells at their peak. These antioxidants also have anti-inflammatory properties which are crucial when trying to get pregnant as inflammation is one of the major causes for infertility that is often overlooked which could cause endometriosis, PCOS, implantation failure and recurrent miscarriages.

(think purple sweet potatoes, eggplant, purple grapes, plums, blackberries, blueberries…)

 

Green fruits and veggies help boost immune system, detoxify, prevent cancer and more...

Dark green leafy vegetables are an excellent source of folate and iron. Folate (folic acid in synthetic form) is important to help prevent neural tube defects.

(think broccoli, kale, bok choy, asparagus, cabbage, kiwis, avocados, apples, grapes, peas, beans…)

Aim to have variety everyday and go for different types of fruits and veggies rather than sticking to the same types all the time to ensure our body gets different types of nutrients.

Most of us don’t eat enough fruits and veggies a day. By making the habit of filling your plate with colours in every meal could easily help achieve that. Colourful foods are also more visually appealing and creates a more enjoyable experience when having your meal, releasing happiness hormones which is an added benefit!

Oh and by the way, I’m sure you know that eating more fruits and veggies help us "poop" better, encouraging healthier digestive system and better absorption of nutrients too!

What colours are you lacking in your diet? Let me know if the comments below.

Are you trying to conceive and looking to improve your wellness? Join my free group on facebook where I share my experiences, tips and ideas on my diet and healthy living to improve fertility.