Low Calorie Fertility Foods Suitable For Pregnancy Too

Low Calorie Fertility Foods Suitable Throughout Pregnancy

Whether you are trying to conceive and need to keep your weight down or you are pregnant and want to enjoy guilt-free snacking then this article is for you

All too often you naturally crave food that triggers your secondary senses: fat, sugar and salt.

You can crave these out of habit because on one level they can make you feel good by satisfying an urge, and on the other it is driven by the fact your body is missing important nutrients from your diet.
Either way, wouldn’t it be good to know what foods you can happily snack on that are low in calories and help to boost your body’s vitality and sustained energy?

Snacking on potato chips or chocolate?

If you are craving potato chips, crisps, chocolate, etc. then you are missing something that your body needs to function optimally.

Stress plays a major role in affecting how your body absorbs food, uses nutrients and needs replenishing.
When we are stressed it is natural for our dopamine levels to drop.  It is natural for your body and brain to crave a “quick fix.”

 

Sugary, fatty food literally ‘hits the spot’ and instantly makes you feel good so that is why it is common to crave chips, crisps, doughnuts etc.

You will get an instant “aaaah” moment, but then your energy levels will plummet and you will soon feel sluggish.  These snacks are very high in calorie and have virtually no nutritional benefits.

Instead, opt for home made sweet potato chips (see why in the table below) or get our fantastic recipe ebooks with hundreds of recipes for optimal living and energy (left) or recipes for fertility for £9.99.

Craving chocolate? 4 reasons why you do

Chocolate triggers the brain to release a huge amount of feel good hormones. Therefore it is no wonder you can literally crave the stuff because it triggers the brain to release:

1. Endorphins so your pulse speeds up and you feel ‘high’
2. Anandamide so you have a feeling of wellbeing
3. Contains stimulants theobromine and phenylethylamine which stimulate the same hormones as lovemaking and they can also raise serotonin to keep feelings of depression at bay
4. Oxytocin that induces a relaxed feeling, released by the brain after orgasmic sex

To fill the emotional buzz that chocolate delivers it can be helpful if you look at ways to minimise stress and find ways you can add more joy to your life.  (Read more ways you can boost positivity, here).

Why popcorn is bad for fertility and pregnancy

Most people consider popcorn as a healthy snack option because of its low calorific content and it can be cooked fat-free.

What is wrong with this way of thinking?

1. Fat is not the enemy, sugar is. (Yes there are good fats and bad but sugar prevents your body breaking down fat, sugar is highly addictive and depletes your body’s energy reserves after spiking it with an insulin rush)
2. Corn is one of the most genetically modified crops in the world (along with soy and cotton). GM foods inhibit fertility and mutate genes so it is never okay to eat, especially if you are pregnant. Eating organic corn means it is guaranteed to be GM free.
3. Your body cannot digest corn. If something is undigestible it puts strain on your digestive tract (making you feel more tired and drained of energy).

So what is a low calorie, guilt free snack?

When I lived in Japan I kept hearing the phrase “Zero Calorie!” This phenomenon is huge over there!  They have fantastic sea-weed coagulants (konyaku) that are filling but are literally so low in calories they are claimed as having zero calorific content because your body utilises more calories to burn off the food than it can absorb.

Below are some fantastic fruits and vegetables that are low calorie fertility foods suitable throughout pregnancy too:

Food Type	Calories cup/sheet	Nutritional Benefit
Asparagus	27	Fibre, Vitamins A, B6, C, E, K, copper, folate, iron, magnesium, protein This means – Speeds the metabolism of toxins including alcohol (essential if you are trying to conceive because alcohol reduces your rate of falling pregnant by 50%)
Beetroot	74	Fibre, iron, folate and potassium This means – A sweet treat that purifies the blood and is rich in anti-oxidants
Celery	16	Fibre, Vitamins A, C and K, folate This means – Essential for healthy bones, healthy pregnancy, is a natural form of salt – ideal for when you have salt cravings without the added sodium (or toxic anti-caking agent added to common table salts on the market)
Grapefruit	78	Fibre, Vitamins A and C, folic acid, licopene (red/pink varieties), potassium This means – Grapefruit helps facilitate healthy system function – cardiovascular, digestive and immune systems which aid your wellbeing Interesting Fact – Grapefruit, when included in your regular diet can reduce BMI by up to 6%
Mushrooms	15	Fibre, B Vitamins, Vitamin D, copper, niacin, potassium, riboflavin, selenium, thiamin This means – Essential nutrients for your body’s defence system, prevents anemia and helps to block absorption from toxins (toxins lower libido) and gives you bountiful energy Interesting fact – Mushrooms do not contribute toward thrush Get all your medicinal properties from an array of wild, organic mushrooms in powder form to add to drinks with our Shield SuperFood
Rocket	4	Fibre, Vitamins A, C, K, calcium, iron, folate, magnesium, potassium, zinc This means – Essential nutrients for your body to pass onto baby, prevents neural tube defects in newborns, creates strong healthy bones, strengthens body’s defence system, prevents anemia and helps to block absorption from toxins (toxins lower libido)
Seaweed “Nori”	7	Fibre, Vitamins A, B, C, high in iodine, calcium, magnesium, iron, protein, alpha linoleic acid, EPA This means – Seaweed is classified as a SuperFood. It improves metabolism, thyroid function, memory, creates a healthy immune system, prevents allergies, supports the digestive system and is one of the best nutrient dense sources on the planet
Sweet Potato	180	Fibre, Vitamins A, B, C, antioxidants, beta carotene, calcium, iron, potassium This means – Sweet potatoes not only stabilise blood sugar (i.e. sugar cravings) and elevate your mood but they also help to break down fat Interesting facts – Sweet potatoes help cervical fluid and follicle development, regulate hormone production and menstrual cycles, strengthen immunity, prevents inflammation in the body, alleviate symptoms of PCOS and endometriosis
Zucchini/ Courgette	20	Fibre, Vitamins A and C This means – Helps your body’s metabolism and the absorption of essential nutrients into your body.  Keeps your immune system healthy as well as heals cellular damage

How do these translate to healthy snacks?

Roasted asparagus, avocado, rocket and pine-nut salad

Sweet potato dip with celery

Blend 350g of boiled organic sweet potato with skins on to:

• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp coriander
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1-2 tbsp tahini
• Juice of 1 organic lemon
• Celtic Sea salt

Cut organic celery, dip and enjoy

Why eating whole food is best

Nature made whole foods complete foods – meaning your body can absorb all the goodness that the food has to offer.  Processed foods, on the other hand, put in added vitamins and minerals to foods to entice you to buy it for ‘better health benefits.’ However, let’s take “ADDED CALCIUM” as an example: If you are not consuming calcium with magnesium (which your body needs to absorb calcium) then the calcium will float around your body forming painful calcium deposits. Nature’s calcium-rich foods have naturally occurring magnesium, e.g. sesame seeds, green leafy vegetables, etc.

Nature’s whole food is balanced and bio-available (meaning it can be absorbed by the body because it is not synthetically made in a lab or factory).  When you eat balanced food your body gets more energy and it reduces cravings.

Sources

• http://searchingforspice.com/2014/06/28/roasted-carrot-dip/
• http://www.health.com/health/
• http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/foods-high-in-folate-vitamin-B9.php
• http://www.livestrong.com/article/334127-the-health-benefits-of-zucchini/
• http://www.natureword.com/properties-and-benefits-of-arugula/
• http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diet-and-nutrition/chocolate-guide.htm
• http://www.thebestofrawfood.com/seaweed-health-benefits.html

Related Topics Worth Reading:

About the author:

Fiona Boulton is a Fertility Specialist
(An expert in her field since 2007) and leader in Fertility Mind Mastery, Fertility Meditation, Fertility Yoga and Fertility Coaching –

helping people take back control of their fertility, faster.

Fiona is the founder of Awakening Fertility – Harley Street (Harley Street Fertility Clinic), London; Concept Fertility Putney; Chichester, West Sussex and Perth, Australia

• Huffington Post Fertility Writer
• Fertility Coach
• Fertility Support Group Co-ordinator for Harley Street Fertility Clinic and Infertility Network UK
• Nutrition Counsellor
• Public Speaker
• Author
• Blogger
• QiYoga® Founder
• Fertility Yoga Teacher Trainer (RYS 200)
• Fertile Lifestyle Motivator
• Fertility Support Group Facilitator
• Fertility Practitioner Training Co-ordinator

Through Fiona’s “transformation guaranteed” Fertile Lifestyle courses, Fiona helps navigate major transitions to detox your mind and body to help you effectively ‘think yourself fertile’; to change the map your mind has of your body and therefore change your physiology by clearing mental and emotional blockages to having your baby. Fiona’s work focuses on you taking back control by changing the internal and external environment of your cells so you can improve chances of fertility success.

Book your fertility consultation from the comfort of your home or come to the Harley Street Fertility Clinic for a transformative session with Awakening Fertility founder Fiona Boulton, here.

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