5 Fertility-Boosting Foods That Could Help You Get Pregnant

Having trouble getting pregnant? What you're eating might just have an effect on your family planning. Try adding in few a these fertility-boosting foods to see if they do the trick!

Switch to Plant-Based Proteins

According findings from a study reported by Dickinson College, women who consume the highest amounts of animal protein were 39 percent more likely to have ovulatory infertility. The women who ate small amounts of plant-based protein, however, had a substantially lower risk of infertility. If you're trying to conceive, and you eat a lot of meat, consider cutting back or switching to plant proteins like legumes, beans and tofu for a while.

Eat Slower Carbohydrates

Although carbohydrates have gotten a bad rap is the past, it's important to have a balanced diet when you're in the midst of family planning. To improve your chances, take Harvard Medical School's advice about which carbs to eat. "Choosing slowly digested carbohydrates that are rich in fiber, like whole grains, vegetables, whole fruits, and beans...can improve fertility by controlling blood sugar and insulin levels."

More: 8 Steps to Take Before Trying to Conceive

Drink Whole Milk

When you drink your next glass of milk, the University of Rochester suggests you make it whole milk instead of low-fat or nonfat. According to the Nurse's Health Study, nonfat and low-fat milk, which have had the cream partially or fully removed, could have a negative effect on ovulation, but whole milk actually promotes conception.

Eat Healthy Fats

Your body needs fat in order to function properly, but the University of Rochester encourages women hoping to conceive to avoid all trans fats and stick with healthy, natural fats, like olive oil or coconut oil. They explain that there is a link between eating trans fats and ovulatory dysfunction. Even eating as little as 4 grams of trans fats per day seems to cause an increased risk of infertility, so make sure to read those labels before you snack.

Increase your Dark Leafy Greens

The University of Washington suggests that increasing your intake of folic acid and iron could mean a lower risk of infertility. Dark, leafy greens like spinach and kale offer you a powerful combo of folic acid and iron eating these along with a daily prenatal vitamin will give you the nutrients you need.

Looking for even more help to conceive? Try these top 10 tips to boost your chances of getting pregnant.