Fueling Fertility: Why Food Matters More Than You Think
- Carmen Fourie
- Mar 13, 2025
- 7 min read
When it comes to pregnancy, we often focus on timing, stress, luck or medical options—but what if the secret to conception, a healthy pregnancy, and a thriving baby lies on your plate?

In our latest YouTube video, "Food for Fertility," I sit down with Jacqui, a nutrition coach, and Sam, a life coach, to unpack the game-changing power of fertility foods. From organ meats to oysters, eggs to nettle, we’re diving into the science-backed eats that can transform your preconception journey. Spoiler: the difference between a nutrient-rich diet and a no-effort approach isn’t just noticeable—it’s staggering.
The Stakes Are High: Fertility Foods vs. No Effort
Picture this: one couple prioritizes foods like liver, full-fat dairy, and seafood, while another sticks to fast food, soda, and processed snacks. The outcomes? Night and day. Research shows that a diet packed with fertility foods can boost conception odds by 20–60%, cut pregnancy complications by 10–25%, and slash birth defect risks by 50–70%. Meanwhile, a no-effort Western diet—low in nutrients, high in junk—raises infertility risk by 40–78%, doubles miscarriage odds, and increases developmental challenges for babies by 30–100%. That’s not a subtle gap; it’s a wake-up call.
Take conception alone: couples eating seafood twice a week conceive 61% faster (92% pregnant within a year) compared to those skipping it (79%), per a 2018 study. Women loading up on Vitamin B6-rich organ meats or choline-packed eggs see ovulatory infertility risks drop by 12–40%. Men chowing down on zinc-heavy oysters can boost sperm quality by 30–50%. Compare that to a burger-and-fries routine, where sperm counts plummet 40–50% and ovulation issues spike by 78%. Time to pregnancy drags 20–40% longer without these foods. Food isn’t just fuel—it’s a fertility superpower.
What’s on the Menu? Highlights from Our Video
In "Food for Fertility," we break it all down with practical, delicious ideas:
Organ Meats (Liver, Kidney, Heart): Loaded with Vitamin A, iron, and B6 to kickstart ovulation and sperm health.
Eggs: Choline, folate, and biotin in every bite—plus, we debunk the cholesterol myth.
Oysters: The zinc king for reproductive firepower.
Dairy (Milk, Butter, Cheese): Full-fat goodness that slashes infertility risk by 27%.
Seafood: The benefits of taurine.
Is fatty fish and a fish oil supplement a good idea? Do we really need more omega 3
Bone Broth & Gelatinous Meats: Amino acid magic for pregnancy stability.
Nettle: The mineral rich drink and how best to drink it.
Carbs for Women: Why going low carb might not be the best advice.
Coffee: Maybe you don't need to cut coffee when trying to conceive?
Desiccated organs: Are they a decent substitute for the fresh food?
And more!
We’re not just listing foods—we’re exploring why they work, from bioavailability (think retinol vs. beta-carotene) to their real impact on your body. Watch the video on Youtube to see Jacqui, Sam, and myself dig into the details with passion and practical tips.
Beyond Pregnancy: Healthy Babies Start Here
Fertility foods don’t stop at conception. They pave the way for a robust pregnancy and a healthy baby. Choline from eggs and folate from organ meats cut neural tube defect risks by 50–70%. Fish 2–3 times a week boosts baby’s cognitive scores by 10–15%. Dairy’s calcium drops low birth weight risk by 20–25%. On the flip side, a no-effort diet doubles defect risks and drags development down by 10–20%. These foods aren’t optional extras—they’re the foundation for life.
From Video to Transformation: Our Course, Coming Home to Yourself
Inspired by this conversation, we’ve poured our expertise into Coming Home to Yourself, a holistic course for women that goes beyond fertility foods to empower your entire preconception journey.
It’s a self-paced deep dive into four transformative modules:
Mindset (led by Sam): Rewire your thoughts to align with your fertility goals.
Cycle Awareness (led by Carmen): Understand your body’s rhythms for optimal conception timing.
Nutrition (led by Jacqui): Build a diet with fertility superstars like organ meats, eggs, and dairy—tailored to your needs, not dogma.
Lifestyle (led by all three of us): Integrate movement, mindfulness, and stress resilience for hormonal harmony.
This isn’t just about eating right—it’s about thriving. We blend foundational wellness, hormonal health, and practical tools to help you rediscover your inner power. Plus, you’ll join our supportive Facebook community and have the option to do a 1:1 session with any one of us!
Whether you’re navigating specific health challenges or simply want vibrant wellness, Coming Home to Yourself sets the stage for conception and beyond. Sign up now —because your fertility journey deserves a holistic boost.
Make the investment for yourself!
A New Beginning Starts with You
Imagine a future where your body feels strong, your hormones hum in harmony, and your dreams of a family bloom into reality—all fueled by the choices you make today. "Food for Fertility" isn’t just a video—it’s a spark to ignite your journey. Jacqui, Sam, and I are here to show you that fertility isn’t a roll of the dice; it’s a path you can pave with every nourishing bite. Watch it now and see the possibilities unfold. Then, step into Coming Home to Yourself—because you’re not just preparing for a baby, you’re reclaiming your power, your health, and your legacy. The table is set, the door is open, and your moment is here. Let’s make it extraordinary together.
Book recommendation: Real food for Fertility: Prepare your body for pregnancy with preconception nutrition and fertility awareness by Lily Nichols and Lisa Hendrickson-Jack

Disclaimer: See my Information & Disclaimer page
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This blog post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support our work in bringing you valuable content and resources. Rest assured, I only recommend products and services we genuinely believe in, rooted in our mission to empower your fertility journey. Thank you for your support!
Reference List
Chavarro, J. E., Rich-Edwards, J. W., Rosner, B. A., & Willett, W. C. (2007). Use of multivitamins, intake of B vitamins, and risk of ovulatory infertility. Fertility and Sterility, 89(3), 668–676. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.03.089
Cited for Vitamin B6 and dairy impacts on ovulatory infertility (12–40% risk reduction).
Gaskins, A. J., Colaci, D. S., Mendiola, J., Swan, S. H., & Chavarro, J. E. (2018). Dietary patterns and semen quality in young men. Human Reproduction, 33(10), 1872–1880. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dey236
Referenced for poor diet reducing sperm counts by 40–50%.
Gaskins, A. J., Afeiche, M., Wright, D. L., Toth, T. L., & Chavarro, J. E. (2018). Dietary folate and reproductive success among women undergoing assisted reproduction. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 108(4), 831–839. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqy139
Used for choline’s 15–25% boost to IVF implantation success.
Gaskins, A. J., Chiu, Y. H., Williams, P. L., Ford, J. B., Toth, T. L., Hauser, R., & Chavarro, J. E. (2018). Maternal whole grain intake and outcomes of in vitro fertilization. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 103(6), 2218–2227. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2017-02434
Cited for seafood speeding conception by 61% (92% vs. 79% within 12 cycles).
Hosseinzadeh, M., Mohammadi, S., & Ebrahimi, M. (2019). Effect of zinc supplementation on semen quality and fertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients, 11(8), 1790. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11081790
Supports zinc (e.g., from oysters) improving sperm motility/concentration by 30–50%.
Chavarro, J. E., Rich-Edwards, J. W., Rosner, B. A., & Willett, W. C. (2007). Diet and lifestyle in the prevention of ovulatory disorder infertility. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 110(5), 1050–1058. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.AOG.0000287293.25465.e1
Used for 78% higher ovulatory infertility risk with high processed-carb diets.
Vujkovic, M., de Vries, J. H., Lindemans, J., Macklon, N. S., van der Spek, P. J., Steegers, E. A., & Steegers-Theunissen, R. P. (2010). The preconception Mediterranean diet is associated with increased probability of achieving clinical pregnancy following IVF. Human Reproduction, 25(11), 2736–2742. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deq233
Cited for Mediterranean diet’s 40% higher IVF success and 20–30% faster conception.
Caulfield, L. E., Black, R. E., & Allen, L. H. (2014). Maternal undernutrition and risk of spontaneous abortion: A systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 100(5), 1318–1326. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.114.089326
Cited for trans fats increasing miscarriage risk by 30–50%.
Sayres, L., & Hughes, B. L. (2020). Iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy: Screening and supplementation revisited. Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 33(15), 2638–2643. https://doi.org/10.1080/14767058.2018.1550042
Used for nettle reducing anemia risk by 10–15% in pregnancy.
Cetin, I., Berti, C., & Calabrese, S. (2010). Role of micronutrients in the periconceptional period. Human Reproduction Update, 16(1), 80–95. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmp025
Cited for protein (e.g., gelatinous meats) reducing miscarriage risk by 15–20%.
Wallace, T. C., & Fulgoni, V. L. (2021). Usual choline intakes are associated with egg and protein food consumption in the United States. American Journal of Epidemiology, 190(8), 1552–1560. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwab048
Supports choline reducing neural tube defects by 50%.
Heslehurst, N., Vieira, R., Akhter, Z., Bailey, H., Slack, E., & Rankin, J. (2021). The association between maternal body mass index and child obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
Used for dairy reducing low birth weight risk by 20–25%.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). Folic acid: Recommendations. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/recommendations.html
Cited for folate reducing neural tube defects by 50–70%.
Sizer, F., & Whitney, E. (2020). Bioavailability of nutrients: Implications for dietary recommendations. Nutrients, 12(10), 3125. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12103125
Supports retinol being 12–24 times more bioavailable than beta-carotene.
Levine, H., Jørgensen, N., Martino-Andrade, A., Mendiola, J., Weksler-Derri, D., Mindlis, I., ... & Swan, S. H. (2017). Temporal trends in sperm count: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis. Human Reproduction Update, 23(6), 646–659. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmx022
Cited for poor diet increasing male infertility risk by 38%.
Kominiarek, M. A., & Rajan, P. (2016). Nutrition recommendations in pregnancy and lactation. Journal of Nutrition, 146(10), 2057S–2063S. https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.116.230336
Used for doubled anemia risk with poor diets.
Morales-Suárez-Varela, M., Kaerlev, L., Zhu, J. L., Llopis-González, A., Gimeno-Clemente, N., & Nohr, E. A. (2019). Dietary patterns and preterm delivery: A population-based cohort study. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 133(3), 553–562. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000003102
Cited for 25–30% higher preterm risk with poor diets.
McStay, C. L., Prescott, S. L., Bower, C., & Palmer, D. J. (2017). Maternal folic acid supplementation and risk of congenital heart defects in offspring: A meta-analysis. Pediatrics, 139(5), e20163289. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-3289
Supports poor diets lowering developmental scores by 10–20%.
Rasmussen, K. M., & Yaktine, A. L. (Eds.). (2018). Weight gain during pregnancy: Reexamining the guidelines. Journal of Perinatology, 38(8), 1015–1022. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-018-0108-5
Cited for poor nutrition increasing low birth weight by 30–40%.









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