By Sue Bedford (MSc Nutritional Therapy)
Sea vegetables are not only delicious but super nutritious and easy to add into your fertility diet, so why not try adding or sprinkling seaweed into and on soups or into stir fries or chilli dishes, or chop up strips of seaweed as a salad garnish. There are numerous snack options available, but make sure to choose one with a clean ingredient list.
Here are 4 reasons why sea vegetables are a great addition to your fertility diet
Sea vegetables are low in calories and a great source of protein – helping to prevent ‘spikes’ in blood sugar levels which are important when trying to conceive
Sea vegetables are a great source of iodine which is needed for the healthy functioning of the thyroid gland. This mineral is vital for a healthy conception because it is a building block for hormones and plays an important role in balancing hormones, metabolism, body temperature and much more.
Sea vegetables are packed full of key nutrients needed for fertility including zinc, iron, selenium, magnesium, antioxidant vitamins and folate.
Sea vegetables are a great source of fibre. Fibre is important in the elimination of toxins, prevention of constipation, gut health and balancing blood sugar levels- all of which are important re fertility particularly in those with endometriosis
Sea Vegetable Soup (makes 2 bowls)
Ingredients
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 carrots thinly sliced
50g mushrooms sliced (your choice)
85g wakame crushed
1 litre vegetable stock
30g leafy greens (of your choice)
1 Tbsp fresh ginger (crushed)
1 Tbsp miso
2 Tbsp coriander
How to make your soup:
Put the garlic, carrots, mushrooms, sea vegetables and stock into a pan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until the carrots are tender. Stir in the greens of your choice and add ginger. Simmer for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the miso. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle chopped fresh coriander over the top. Enjoy!
Please note: sea vegetables may not be suitable for those with high blood pressure as they contain sodium- always check with your G.P or Qualified Nutritional Therapist/Dietician if you are unsure.
Interesting reading:
Teas, J et al 2009 Could dietary seaweed reverse the metabolic syndrome? Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 18 (2) 145-157
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