Improving diet for fertility: reading labels to shop healthy food

IMPROVING DIET FOR FERTILITY: READING LABELS TO SHOP HEALTHY FOOD

The key is to buy food in its most natural state. As a general rule, avoid foods that have had chemicals added (either to replace something natural, as with artificial sweeteners) or to prolong shelf-life.
Remember that you are aiming to avoid chemicals that could compromise your fertility. You also want to optimize your health by eating as naturally as possible, in order to increase your chances of getting pregnant.
The first step is to get into the habit of reading labels carefully.

Reading Labels
Although most of us lead busy lives, and tend to do our shopping as quickly as possible, it's worth investing some time in looking at labels on foods and drinks before you buy them. Once you are familiar with the best brands to buy, shopping for the healthiest foods becomes relatively easy.
Firstly, it is best to avoid ingredients which sound like something from a chemistry lesson, especially products containing E numbers. Some are fine to eat, as they are naturally derived, but the vast majority are not and have known side-effects. Without carrying a reference book with us all the time we cannot know which ones are which. Usually food manufacturers make it clear if the additive in question is a natural one because it is a good selling point. However, if in doubt, avoid it altogether.
Also check the label for artificial sweeteners (such as saccharin and aspartame) and, where possible, avoid them. They are chemicals too and the safety of many of them is in doubt.
Generally, the longer the ingredients list, the more suspicious you should be about the product.
Manufacturers argue that additives, preservatives and flavourings are used in such small quantities that they have no adverse effect. However, if you take into account the cumulative effect of these additives in all the different products you eat each day, the quantities soon mount up. Nobody knows what the combined effect of this chemical cocktail might be or how it could affect fertility and a developing baby.
These days it's more or less impossible for most people to make sure that every single thing they eat is chemical-free, especially if their lifestyle means they need to eat snacks or meals away from home. But, without getting unduly anxious about it, you need to eat as naturally and healthily as possible. For example, as you will undoubtedly need to buy convenience or packaged food from time to time, try to find the best brand you can by going for the shortest, most chemical-free ingredients list.

Healthy cooking tips
• With organic carrots and potatoes, you only need to scrub the skins. Do not peel them, as many of the nutrients are concentrated just under the skin.
• To avoid nutrient loss, lightly cook vegetables in a little water or steam them.
• Avoid frying where possible. Try grilling or baking instead.
• Choose cookware with care. Avoid all aluminum cookware, as this is a heavy toxic metal that can enter food through the cooking process. The same applies to aluminum foil and cases. Avoid any coated cookware, such as non-stick, which is thought to be carcinogenic. The best cookware materials are cast iron, enamel, glass and stainless steel.

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