COVID-19 has brought a lot of stress to our day-to-day life, particularly affecting young women who are in the peak of their reproductive cycle. Given the stress coupled with less physical movement due to restrictions, women are getting more frigid, which has led to irregularities in the ovulation cycle. Infertility has become a big issue among the women.
During COVID 19 pandemic, there has been a dramatic rise in PCOS/PCOD among women. This clearly indicates unhealthy food and lifestyle. It should be noted that junk and unhealthy foods have high content of trans fat and empty calories. To face these challenges one should have a healthy body, healthy practices to have a healthy reproductive system. It is the right food, which gives the right framework to a healthy body vis-à-vis the uterus, the vital organ of the woman’s body that is the base of formation of life itself.
Some of the foods, which can help to give a healthy reproductive system are:
Whole Grains
Brown rice, millets, barn bread, these supplies zinc, selenium, and Vitamin B spectrum. These are fertility boosting nutrients and helps in balancing the hormones a necessity for boosting fertility. Thus complex carbohydrates are good for the whole system rather than refined ones. Refined carbohydrates used in cakes, sweet savouries along with white sugar and white flour are bad, as it causes a sudden spike in blood sugar ending in hormonal imbalance. Avoidance of these is the best option.
Eggs
Eggs help in boosting the fertility level in women. It contains high levels of Omega 3 and choline. Omega 3 helps in the ovulation cycle and choline, which protect the foetal in the formative stage.
Berries
These are good if taken during the ovulation cycle and especially for those who are trying to conceive. These are rich in folate and Vitamin C and key ingredients for foetal development. Berries are rich in antioxidants and have high amounts of phytonutrients, which are anti-inflammatory. They play a major role for PCOS & PCOD health challenges and boost fertility. They also help in balancing the weight during pregnancy. The golden advice – these soft and crunchy super foods must be part of the regular diet for the expectant mothers. The best way to have it is to churn it with your daily dose of milk or with your daily round of fruit intake.
Curd
This is the best antiseptic during the 27th week of pregnancy or the three trimesters. Expectant mothers are prone to vaginal infection especially yeast infection due to hormonal changes and disruption of pH balance of the body. Avoid heavy discharges and especially when the discharges are like cottage cheese. Curd should be part of your daily diet, it is high in calcium helps the foetus to develop a good bone at the same time prevents vaginal & urine infections and irritable bowel syndrome.
Fish
The fatty ones contain Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, which not only help the expectant mother but also helps in developing healthy cell membranes of the foetus. Drying of skins, brittle nails, fatigue, cracked skin and hair loss are a common phenomenon during pregnancy, Omega 3 and Omega 6 helps in addressing these challenges. Quantity for consumption has to be consulted with your consulting physicians.
Do avoid caffeine, alcohols, smoking, packaged foods, and junk food specially treated meat as it contains chemicals, trans-fats and preservatives. Go the natural way and prefer grass fed & farm raised non-veg products. This will give a healthy reproductive system and cycle.
