If you are concerned about your weight, you may find it useful to speak to either your doctor or practice nurse for further advice. Current advice is that all women of child-bearing age should who may become pregnant should take a supplement that provides 400 mg per day of folic acid. This is in addition to a dietary intake of folic acid of around 200 mg per day. However, if you want to take a supplement, then choose a specially formulated pro-natal multivitamin and mineral supplement. These are more likely to provide nutrients in balanced amounts, not high doses that may be dangerous to your health.
Dads too Being super fit and healthy is important for men who are hoping to conceive.
There have been numerous research studies looking at pre-conceptual nutrition in men, and we know that low both diets low in zinc can reduce sperm counts, while excessive alcohol intakes can reduce zinc levels even further. Zinc may be found in foods such as meat, whole grain cereals, seafood, eggs and pulses. Other nutrients that have a role in fertility include selenium - and brazil nuts contain lots of this important mineral, along with meat, seafood, mushrooms and cereals. Don't expect results overnight - better quality sperm will result in about 3 months, i.e. the length of the sperm production cycle, so plan well in advance of the intended time of conception. Each day, simply choose foods from each of the major food groups, as outlined in The Basics .