There are certain types of foods that help before and during pregnancy. These “fertility diets” are a big part of the conversation for couples planning to have a child. In that, there also exist many myths that mislead women to make poor or unnecessary choices. So, having a proper understanding of the common myths, if you’re planning to conceive, can help you keep on the right track.

Here are five common fertility diet myths:

Myth 1: Advice to avoid certain food while you are trying to get pregnant

Fact: There is no need to avoid certain foods during pregnancy unless you have a specific concern about them. For example, some women find that eating fish, especially oily fish like salmon, can make their nausea worse. Other women are sensitive to certain ingredients in food and may want to avoid them for this reason.

Myth 2: You should avoid caffeine during pregnancy

Fact: Caffeine is actually not known to cause insomnia or restless sleep in the majority of people who consume it regularly throughout pregnancy. (Limit it to 200 milligrams a day!) If you have an allergy or sensitivity to caffeine, ask your healthcare provider about options for reducing or eliminating caffeine from your diet.

Myth 3: You need a lot of protein in your diet

Fact: Protein is an important part of a healthy diet, but it’s not critical for fertility or pregnancy. In fact, too much protein can be harmful because it slows down digestion and may contribute to bloating and other digestive issues. So, you don’t necessarily have to increase your protein intake with hopes that will improve the chances of pregnancy.

Myth 4: You should avoid eggs during ovulation

Fact: Eggs are high in nutrients, including zinc and B vitamins that can be beneficial for women trying to become pregnant. Most people have no trouble getting pregnant while eating eggs every day, so there’s no reason not to have them as part of your fertility diet plan! Egg consumption doesn’t seem to affect implantation rate either.

Myth 5: You can get all the nutrients you need from your diet

The main source of nutrition for most adults is their diet and it’s very difficult to replace nutrients from food with supplements. However, supplements are useful for women before and during pregnancy. Fertility needs protein, calcium, and iron in addition to vitamins and minerals like folate, zinc, and magnesium. You also need fat for ovulation. So, often the doctors recommend taking supplements.

Final words

The fertility diet doesn’t have to be overly restrictive or full of prescription medications, which can make it difficult for some people to stick with.

So instead of focusing on one specific nutrient (or eating foods containing them), the fertility diet focuses more on overall nutrient balance and the nutrients that play key roles in ovulation, fertilization, and implantation. This means following an overall healthy eating plan with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean meats.