Are you trying to conceive and looking for ways to boost your fertility?
You may have heard that Brazil nuts are a superfood that can help with implantation and enhance your chances of getting pregnant.
But when is the best time to eat them?
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of Brazil nuts for fertility and provide some tips on when and how to incorporate them into your diet.
Plus, we’ll discuss other foods that can support your reproductive health during the two-week wait.
So, grab a handful of Brazil nuts and let’s dive in!
When To Eat Brazil Nuts Ttc
Brazil nuts are a rich source of selenium, an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in thyroid function and overall reproductive health. While there is no conclusive scientific evidence to suggest that eating Brazil nuts alone can enhance your ability to conceive, they can certainly play a supporting role in a holistic pregnancy-supporting diet.
So, when is the best time to eat Brazil nuts when trying to conceive? According to experts, it’s best to consume 2-3 Brazil nuts per day, starting from the day of ovulation and continuing until 10 days post-ovulation. This is because implantation typically occurs about a week after ovulation, and the selenium in Brazil nuts can help prevent chromosomal damage in both egg and sperm.
However, it’s important not to overeat Brazil nuts in an attempt to boost your chances of conceiving. Excessive intake of selenium can lead to toxicity, which can cause hair loss and severe gastrointestinal and neurological complications. The UK reference nutrient intake (RNI) for selenium is 75 ug/day for men and 60 ug/day for women. Six to eight Brazil nuts a couple of times a week would be a great snack as they are rich in protein, essential fatty acids, and meet the requirements of selenium.
Why Brazil Nuts Are Beneficial For Fertility
Brazil nuts are a nutrient-dense food that contains high levels of selenium, a mineral that is essential for reproductive health. Selenium plays a vital role in sperm production and egg development, and it is also known to boost the immune system and reduce inflammation in the body.
Research has shown that a diet low in selenium could be a key cause of male infertility. Selenium helps prevent oxidation of the sperm cell, which increases the chance of having healthy sperm. It also prevents chromosome damage, which can cause both birth defects and miscarriages. The mineral also has antioxidant qualities that can improve sperm quality, volume, and motility in men.
In addition to its benefits for male fertility, selenium is also important for female reproductive health. It helps to thicken the uterine wall and increase blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, which may increase the chance of conceiving. Selenium also works as an antioxidant and can assist in creating a healthy environment for a developing egg by decreasing damaging free radicals in the body.
Brazil nuts are an excellent source of selenium, with just one or two nuts providing the recommended daily intake for adults. Consuming 2-3 Brazil nuts per day during the fertile window can help support reproductive health and increase the chances of conception. However, it’s important not to overdo it as excessive intake of selenium can lead to toxicity.
How Many Brazil Nuts To Eat Per Day
The recommended daily intake of Brazil nuts is 2-3 nuts per day. This amount provides the necessary amount of selenium without risking selenium toxicity. Each Brazil nut contains around 68 to 91 micrograms of selenium, which is significantly more than most other nuts. In fact, just one Brazil nut contains 175% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for selenium. However, it’s important to note that the amount of selenium in Brazil nuts can vary depending on the soil and water that the trees are grown in. Therefore, it’s important to limit your intake to avoid consuming too much selenium, which can lead to toxicity. The upper limit for selenium intake is 400 micrograms per day, so it’s best to stick to no more than 3 Brazil nuts per day. Additionally, it’s important to balance your intake of Brazil nuts with other sources of selenium in your diet, such as fish, chicken, eggs, and enriched pasta and bread. Incorporating Brazil nuts into your diet as a snack a couple of times a week can be a great way to ensure you are getting enough selenium without overdoing it.
The Best Time To Eat Brazil Nuts During Your Menstrual Cycle
The best time to start eating Brazil nuts when trying to conceive is from the day of ovulation until 10 days post-ovulation. This is because it takes about a week for a fertilized egg to burrow into the uterine lining, and selenium in Brazil nuts can help prevent chromosomal damage in both egg and sperm.
It’s important to note that the menstrual cycle is divided into two phases: the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The follicular phase starts on day one of your menstrual cycle and ends on the day of ovulation. The luteal phase begins after ovulation and lasts until the start of your next period.
During the follicular phase, it’s recommended to consume foods that support healthy ovulation, such as leafy greens, whole grains, and lean proteins. Brazil nuts can be added to your diet during this phase, but it’s not necessary to consume them daily.
During the luteal phase, it’s important to focus on foods that support implantation and overall reproductive health. This is when consuming 2-3 Brazil nuts per day can be particularly beneficial. Other foods that are recommended during this phase include adzuki beans, eggs, lamb, and pineapple.
Other Fertility-boosting Foods To Eat During The Two-week Wait
In addition to Brazil nuts, there are other fertility-boosting foods that you can incorporate into your diet during the two-week wait. Legumes, such as lentils, chickpeas, and beans, are great sources of zinc, which can help increase progesterone levels and reduce the risk of early miscarriage. You can include legumes in your diet by making lentil soup, black bean burgers, roasted chickpea salad or falafel.
Pineapple is another food that is often recommended for its potential to aid in implantation. The core of the pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties and act as a blood thinner. It’s recommended to eat one-fifth of a pineapple per day from days 5-10 post-ovulation or after embryo transfer if doing IVF.
Eggs are also a great addition to your diet during the two-week wait. Pasture-raised farm-fresh eggs are high in vitamin A, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, beta carotene, vitamin D, folic acid, iron, zinc, and choline. You can enjoy eggs in various forms such as boiled, scrambled or poached.
Lastly, lamb is a warm food that can help increase circulation in the body and strengthen the blood. It’s recommended to prepare it as a hearty stew with warm spices like cinnamon, ginger and cumin. By incorporating these fertility-boosting foods into your diet during the two-week wait, you can support your reproductive health and increase your chances of conceiving.
Precautions And Considerations When Consuming Brazil Nuts During TTC.
While Brazil nuts can be a healthy addition to your diet when trying to conceive, there are some precautions and considerations to keep in mind. First and foremost, it’s important to ensure that the Brazil nuts you consume are fresh and raw, not roasted or cooked. This is because roasting or cooking can reduce the selenium content in the nuts.
It’s also important to avoid overeating Brazil nuts, as excessive intake of selenium can lead to toxicity. This can be especially problematic if you are already taking pre-conception supplements that contain selenium. In general, it’s best to consume Brazil nuts in moderation, as part of a balanced and varied diet.
Finally, it’s worth noting that there is no conclusive scientific evidence to suggest that eating Brazil nuts alone can enhance your ability to conceive. While they can certainly play a supporting role in a holistic pregnancy-supporting diet, it’s important not to rely on any one food or nutrient as a magic bullet for fertility. Instead, focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, good sleep habits, stress management, and a nutrient-rich diet that includes a variety of whole foods.