Fertility-friendly Festive Plate: Expert Lists Foods To Prioritise And Limit

The month of December is all about celebrations. From the time of Christmas, till the time of New Year – the festive spirit just refuses to die down. It lasts till mid-January for some. During this time, our daily routine gets disrupted due to back-to-back get togethers, parties, holiday plans or invitations. The first thing which gets messed up is our diet. This hampers our health. And especially those who are trying to conceive, the disrupted diet weighs heavy on them. To keep your fertility health intact, you need to prioritise foods which are good for your eggs or sperms. This article will focus on this and more.

To get an expert view on this, we reached out to Dr Swati Mishra, Fertility Specialist at Birla Fertility & IVF, Kolkata. Keep reading.

How A Fertility-friendly Festive Plate Looks Like

“Festivals are a time of celebration, but our eating habits can subtly impact fertility, especially for couples who are trying to conceive. It is often observed that continuous consumption of excessive sugar and fried foods can affect ovulation and menstrual regularity, particularly in women who have pre-existing conditions like PCOS. Irregular eating can impact sperm health as well and can cause further issues in people having high blood sugar levels,” shares Dr Mishra.

Shedding light on what a fertility-friendly festive plate should be like, she says, “A fertility-friendly festive plate focuses on having a balanced approach for one’s body, rather than avoiding festive foods altogether.”

Foods To Prioritise During Festivals

On this note, Dr Mishra lists down the foods one should eat even during the festive season, to keep their fertility health in place:

• Choosing lentils, vegetables and whole grains over products made with refined flour helps maintain stable blood sugar levels. This matters because frequent sugar spikes can interfere with hormone signals that regulate ovulation in women and sperm production in men.
• Healthy fats are crucial. Nuts, seeds and ghee can help produce hormones and help keep one feeling full, reducing the desire to overeat.
• We also tend to overlook protein during the festive season. Incorporating eggs, dal, curd, paneer or lean meats into one’s meals can help slow down sugar absorption, boosting the health of the sperm and egg.
• Green vegetables, fruits and spices like turmeric.

Also Read: An Expert Guide To Your Fertility Diet For Smoggy Months

Foods To Limit During Festivals

Dr Mishra mentions that many people experience excessive inflammation, which can be seen increasing at times of high consumption. “If inflammation is persistent over a period of time, it can negatively impact one’s fertility.” On this note, the expert jots down foods one needs to limit during festivals for good fertility health:

• Foods to limit, not eliminate, include deep-fried snacks, sugar-heavy desserts and sweetened drinks. These can cause energy crashes, bloating and hormonal fluctuations when consumed frequently.
• The consumption of alcohol should be little to none during the festive season. Consuming alcohol can affect a man’s sperm quality and a woman’s cycle regularity.
• It is important to maintain a balance in food to preserve one’s fertility, while also leaving room for celebrations and tradition.

Tips To Make The Right Food Choices During Holiday Season

On this note, let’s take a look at some tips that can help you make the right choices that will support your fertility during the festive and holiday season:

• Plan Ahead – Planning your meal ahead can help you. Try not to skip breakfast, and always start your day with a balanced meal. This can jumpstart your metabolism, stabilize blood sugar and mood. Try to limit overeating later in the day. Pack some snacks if you are travelling. Mindful snacking can help stabilize blood sugar.
• Carry Your Own Meal – You can choose to bring food to a party that will support your fertile-friendly nutrition principles. Enjoy tasty food, but also keep in mind the health aspect, as well as your food allergies.
• Balanced Holiday Plate – If you're trying to fuel your body and keep blood sugar levels in check, you need to load up half your plate with vibrant fruits and veggies. ‘Eat the rainbow’ method can help match your important fertile-friendly nutrients in your day.
• Pick Your Protein – Festive foods often tend to be carb-heavy and sugary. This, you can include sources of protein on your plate to stabilise your blood sugar levels.
• Choose Carbs Wisely – Carbs are generally in abundance in a holiday spread. You don't need to avoid them entirely, but choosing fiber-rich options such as quinoa, barley, or lentils will help slow down the absorption of glucose into your blood.

Also Read: How Eating Salad Before Meal Can Keep Your Blood Sugar Levels In Check

The Final Word

A fertility-friendly festive plate focuses on having a balanced approach for one’s body, rather than avoiding festive foods altogether. It is important to make the right choices that will support your fertility, as well as make the most of the festive and holiday season.