Research suggests that sperm quality, conception and miscarriage rates can all be affected by the foods we eat and the way we live. It takes around 3 months for the egg and sperm to mature. So for both partners the earlier you start to improve your diet the better. However it’s never too late to make positive changes and if you are successful in conceiving you will already be eating healthily to support pregnancy. There are a number of factors to consider:

1. Diet and nutrient status
2. Weight
3. Lifestyle
4. Environment and avoidance of toxins

Diet and Nutrient Status

We understand how stressful fertility treatment can be. So making changes to your diet can seem like another challenge. Our aim is to help you to find solutions that fit your lifestyle and the type of foods that you like to cook and eat. We have a large bank of easy to follow and tasty recipes. We also have suggestions for healthier convenience products for when you are pushed for time.

Weight

If you are either underweight or overweight this can affect your fertility. We can help you achieve the right weight at the right rate. Ideally your BMI should be between 20 and 25 in order to produce the appropriate levels of hormones to regulate menstruation and ovulation. In addition to being the right weight you also need to have the correct levels of body fat.

Lifestyle

There are obvious things you can do to improve your fertility such as stopping smoking and drinking alcohol, reducing caffeine and minimising the intake of unnecessary medication. However the right levels of exercise are also important. In addition too much stress and not enough sleep can impact your fertility. Whilst it is difficult to avoid stress completely you can eat healthily which may reduce the impact stress has on your fertility.

Environment and Toxins

What you are exposed to every day can significantly affect fertility. We can help you identify potential toxins that you may be coming into contact with at work, in the home or garden or when travelling. We are all subjected to an increasing number of free radicals, which can damage cells in our bodies, including sperm and eggs. The best way to protect yourself against this damage is to have a high antioxidant status. This is important for everyone but especially important for older couples who will have had greater exposure over time.

Our Service

You can have a consultation as a couple (1 ½ hours) or as an individual (1 hour). See fees page for prices. Follow up consultations are also available to support you through your fertility treatment and into pregnancy.

When you book an appointment for a nutritional advice consultation, you will each be asked tocomplete a food diary and a health questionnaire. You then return these to us at least 48 hours before your appointment as we like to ensure that we optimise the time we spend with you.

In the consultation we make recommendations on dietary changes and agree an action plan with you, which we summarise and send to you soon afterwards. If required we will suggest supplements, which are most appropriate to your needs. We also provide meal suggestions, recipes and shopping guides for healthier products.