Sue Bedford (MSc Nutritional Therapy)
Enjoy some sweet seasonal strawberries and enjoy the benefits that they provide to health and fertility.
Strawberries help to reduce inflammation in the body and have shown to reduce CRP (C-reactive protein which is a medical marker of inflammation) levels when a portion is consumed daily.
Strawberries also support fertility as they are rich in folate. Folate is vital preconception and beyond as it plays an important role in cell division in the body and is also linked to helping to reducing birth defects.
Did you know that 125g of strawberries provides 10 per cent of your daily folate needs along with a whole day’s amount of vitamin C?
Vitamin C boost’s the immune system and fights infection and also helps with iron absorption which is essential for both men and women when trying to conceive. Vitamin C is also important for sperm motility and vitality so why not both of you start your day off with porridge sprinkled with strawberries (plus your other favourite berries) or a strawberry smoothie and enjoy a gorgeous ‘Very Berry’ Summer salad as a side or main meal.
Top tips!
Try to buy organic strawberries wherever possible or grow some of your own! Many non-organic strawberries are heavily sprayed with pesticides so ensure that you wash them thoroughly before eating.
Make sure you eat strawberries within two days of buying them as the amount of vitamin C and polyphenols quickly decrease.
Very Berry summer salad (serves 2)
All berries are great for a fertility boost as they are packed full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Antioxidants are important disease fighting compounds – in addition to strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries pack in those vital nutrients. Why not make this healthy salad to enjoy and pack in some of your 7 a day?
Ingredients
4 oz fresh blackberries
4 oz fresh strawberries
½ bag of salad leaves/watercress of your choice
4 oz fresh raspberries
1 Pack of fresh mozzarella/halloumi or cheese of your choice (or cooked chicken or fresh fish)
1 avocado, sliced
½ red onion finely sliced
For the Dressing
1 lime, juiced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/8 teaspoon salt
Fresh ground pepper -to taste
How to make
Place the leaves/watercress into a salad bowl.
Add the strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cheese/chicken/fish, red onion and avocado slices.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.
Pour over salad and gently mix it all together.
Serve and enjoy!
The post Strawberry and berry fertility friendly salad appeared first on IVF Babble.
IVF BabbleRead More
