Trying for a baby is an exciting yet deeply personal journey. I know how overwhelming it can feel with all the advice out there, but let me reassure you—small, intentional changes can make a big difference. For me, two simple shifts transformed everything, and they started with what I put on my plate.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), food is more than fuel—it’s medicine. Nourishing your body with the right foods creates a foundation for conception and long-term well-being.
The best part? These changes are often simple, enjoyable, and delicious. Let me guide you through the practical nutrition tips and lifestyle adjustments that helped me and can empower you to confidently embrace this chapter.
What to Eat to Get Pregnant Faster: Nutrient-Rich Foods for Fertility
What to eat to get pregnant faster is a common question for many on the fertility journey. Nutrition is critical, especially as you move through the bleeding phase. The focus should be on nourishing your blood and supporting the kidney and liver energy when trying for a baby.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the kidneys play a vital role in fertility. While this might initially sound exotic, it aligns closely with what we understand in Western medicine. Consider the adrenal glands, which sit atop the kidneys and produce androgens (hormones that support libido, bone and muscle health, and oestrogen production) and oestrogens (hormones that are key to reproductive health).
Additionally, the liver, which holds about a pint (13%) of the body’s blood supply at any given time, plays a crucial role in hormone regulation. So, while TCM may use metaphorical language, its concepts often overlap with modern medical understanding.
Embrace Offal!
Let’s talk about one of the most nutrient-packed foods you can add to your fertility diet: offal. TCM has a concept called “like for like.” If your body needs blood, you replenish it with foods that build it, and iron-rich food like offal, such as liver and kidneys, fits the bill beautifully.
I get it; offal isn’t always the first choice on the menu for many of us. Perhaps you’ve tried it in the past and didn’t like the texture or taste. But here’s the thing: with the right preparation, these foods can be absolutely delicious! A smooth, high-quality pâté can be a great place to start, offering all the benefits without the intensity of eating liver on its own.
If liver wasn’t your favourite as a child, give it another try, but this time, cooked your way! Often, it’s not the liver that’s the problem but how it was prepared. So, reframing how you think about these nutrient-dense foods might just surprise you, and incorporating them into your diet could be one of the simplest and most powerful steps toward nourishing your body for conception.
Learn from the Best
Learning from experts is always a good idea to help you get started. Here is Gordon Ramsay’s take on making any liver taste amazing in just over a minute.
Or, for those who prefer lamb’s kidneys, check out this MasterChef recipe by Monica Galetti.
Choose Quality and Variety to Boost Fertility
When it comes to offal, quality is everything. Therefore, choosing organic and high-welfare sources is non-negotiable—not just for taste but for your health. Livers and kidneys from cheaply farmed animals can store antibiotics and other unwanted substances used in industrial farming, which is the last thing you want while preparing your body for conception.
The good news? Even organic offal is surprisingly affordable, making it a nutrient-dense, budget-friendly option. If liver and kidneys still don’t appeal to you, that’s okay. A perfectly cooked medium-rare steak paired with cavolo nero is a fantastic alternative, being delicious, iron-rich, and satisfying.
Beyond offal, let’s look at other fertility-boosting foods that deserve a spot on your plate:
Pulses: Adzuki beans, black beans, flaxseeds, and beetroot are particularly beneficial
Dark, leafy greens: Packed with nutrients to support your cycle and overall health
Berries and red grapes: Delicious sources of antioxidants and vitamins
As a general rule, aim for meals rich in protein, healthy fats, and abundant greens. During this phase of your cycle, also consider reducing carbs and prioritising protein. If you do eat carbs, stick to whole grains or a small portion of basmati rice to keep your energy steady.
Remember, nourishing your body doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple and joyful as creating meals that feed your body and soul.
Optimize Fertility with Blood-Nourishing Foods
One key strategy to optimize fertility is to focus on blood-nourishing foods. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers detailed, season-specific, and cycle-specific guidance designed to support each organ and its role in fertility when trying for a baby. These foods are chosen for their nutritional value and ability to improve your body’s natural processes and reproductive health when conceiving a baby.
So, what to eat to get pregnant faster? Certain foods are believed to have unique qualities and benefits that make them particularly beneficial during the fertility journey. While we’ve already touched on some of these, there are additional options that can further nourish your blood and optimise your fertility.
For example, beef, poultry, and eggs are highly recommended. There’s nothing more Yin and Yang than an egg with a runny yolk, which is particularly beneficial in the first part of your cycle. How you cook the yolk affects the enzymes it contains, and keeping the yolk runny helps preserve those precious enzymes, making them more active and beneficial.
Top Blood-Nourishing Foods to Support Fertility
Nourishing your blood is one of the most effective ways to support fertility and overall health. Incorporating nutrient-dense foods into your diet can help replenish vital nutrients, improve circulation, and create an optimal environment for conception.
Here are some of the top blood-nourishing foods to consider:
Liver: Opt for organic liver from higher welfare sources. The liver is incredibly rich in iron and other essential nutrients that support blood health.
Adzuki beans: Aim for around 60 grams per day. These beans are packed with nutrients that are beneficial for blood nourishment. Try this delicious adzuki bean, chicken, and kale soup packed with goodness, leaving you well-fed, nourished, and invigorated.
Kidneys: Choose organic kidneys from high-welfare sources. They are rich in essential nutrients that support the kidneys and overall fertility.
Dark, leafy green vegetables: Improve your blood health with greens like spinach, kale, and chard, which contain iron, folate, and other vital nutrients.
Steak: Choose steak from organic, higher welfare origins, and cook it rare or medium-rare to retain its nutritional value. Steak is an excellent source of heme iron, which is more easily absorbed by the body.
Poultry: Opt for organic, higher-welfare poultry. It’s a lean protein source that supports overall health and fertility. Here’s a harissa roast chicken recipe you simply must try—I’m sure you’ll love it!
Egg yolk: Keep the yolk runny to preserve the enzymes. Eggs are a powerhouse of nutrients, including choline, essential for reproductive health.
Black beans: Add black beans to your diet. These are another excellent source of protein and iron, both crucial for blood health.
Flaxseed and sesame oil: Improve hormonal balance with oils rich in essential fatty acids.
Balancing Glycemic Index Foods for Hormonal Health
For foods that are higher on the Glycemic Index, it’s best to introduce them in moderation. These foods can provide energy, but balancing their intake is key to maintaining stable blood sugar levels, which is essential for hormonal balance:
Berry fruits: Blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, and raspberries are packed with antioxidants and vitamins. Enjoy them in moderation to support your overall health.
Red grapes: Grapes are rich in antioxidants like resveratrol, which can support reproductive health.
Beetroot: Beetroot is excellent for blood health and is high in folate, essential for pregnancy.
Dark, leafy greens: Food like cavolo nero is particularly rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron.
Foods to Avoid When Trying to Get Pregnant
Just as there are foods that can support your fertility, there are also certain substances and foods to avoid when trying to get pregnant:
Processed foods: Highly processed foods contain unhealthy fats, excessive sugar, and additives that can disrupt hormonal balance. Avoid foods like fast food, sugary snacks, and pre-packaged meals.
Excessive caffeine: While research on caffeine and fertility varies, excessive intake may negatively impact your chances of conception. However, moderate consumption is generally considered safe, so keep an eye on your intake.
Alcohol: Alcohol can interfere with hormonal balance and impair fertility. If you're trying to conceive, in my opinion, it's best to avoid alcohol altogether to create the healthiest environment for pregnancy.
Refined carbohydrates: Foods like white bread and sugary cereals can spike blood sugar levels and negatively impact hormonal balance. Therefore, whole grains are recommended.
Trans fats: Widely considered unhealthy, trans fats should be avoided. For healthier options, choose fats that come naturally from whole foods, such as avocados, nuts, seeds, and oils like olive or coconut.
That's it in a nutshell. This approach is simple yet incredibly powerful—it’s an absolute game-changer. When balancing irregular menstrual cycles and optimising fertility, the best place to start is by focusing on your period and supporting your body’s natural rhythms.
The wisdom here is clear: if you want to improve menstrual cycle regularity and optimise fertility, learning how to live in harmony with your cycle is essential rather than working against it. By supporting your body in what it’s naturally meant to do, you’re setting the stage for optimal health and fertility.
Fertility Recipes for Those Trying for a Baby
Before we wrap up, I want to highlight the importance of aligning your diet with the different phases of your menstrual cycle, especially if you're trying for a baby.
To make this easier, I’ve created a dedicated recipe section that offers specific recipes tailored to each phase of your cycle: The follicular phase, the fertile days, and the luteal phase. These recipes simplify determining which foods best support your body at each stage. They combine insights from Traditional Chinese Medicine and modern hormonal science.
But here’s something you might not have considered: the emotional and mental nourishment that comes with preparing and enjoying these meals. The journey can be emotionally taxing when you’re trying for a baby.
Engaging in the mindful preparation of these recipes can be a soothing ritual, helping you feel more connected to your body and more in control of your fertility journey. It’s not just about the nutrients; it’s about creating a supportive, nurturing environment for yourself.
Additionally, consider the role of your overall lifestyle in this process. While nutrition is a cornerstone, remember to balance it with adequate sleep, stress management, and gentle physical activity. All these factors work together synergistically to optimize your fertility.
I hope you find these resources and recipes helpful. Thank you so much for taking the time to be here. If you know someone else who could benefit from this information, please feel free to share this article with them.
Thanks for being here,
Irena x
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