Did you know there are a lot of things you can do to be proactive to make sure you will have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby even BEFORE you get pregnant?
What you eat, the chemicals you are exposed to, stress, even some ingredients in your prenatal vitamins can play a role.
Let me go through a few of the factors that can affect your health when you are trying to conceive.
FOOD- there is not such thing as “Switzerland” when it comes to food. Food sends either an inflammatory signal or an anti-inflammatory signal. Highly inflammatory foods to be avoided are: sugar, dairy and wheat. Wheat is highly inflammatory and is best kept out of your preconception diet. Best foods to eat are: organic produce in all colors of the rainbow, fermented foods and pastured meats.
Drink filtered water.
Make sure you minimize exposure to chemicals. For example, eliminate ALL plastic containers. Mayo Clinic recognizes Bisphenol A or BPA as an endocrine disruptor. BPA is an industrial chemical that has been used to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins since 1960’s. Polycarbonate plastics are often used in containers that store food and beverages, such as water bottles. Epoxy resins are used to coat the inside of metal products, such as food cans, bottle tops and water supply lines. Some dental sealants and composites also may contain BPA. Research has shown that BPA can seep into food and beverages from containers that are made with BPA. Exposure to it is a concern because of the possible effects of BPA on the brain and prostate glands of fetuses, infants and children. BPA can also affect children’s behavior. Additional research suggests a possible link between BPA and increased blood pressure. BPA has been banned in some European countries.
More to follow!
