If you’re asking this question, you’ve probably already made the deep dive into the dark hollows of the internet, and you’ve found a confusing bucket of muck. There are so many posts with so many opinions yet not much clarity. Conceiving a baby is a personal subject, and I understand that you just want answers, so here they are.
Peanut butter is good for conceiving, containing 7 proteins and over 30 grams of essential vitamins and nutrients. Peanut butter is a fertility-fueling food and should be consumed during your conception journey, throughout your baby-building months, and breastfeeding.
There’s some conflicting information on the internet and old wives’ tales from family and friends. In this article, we’ll weed through some of the confusion.
Why There’s Confusion About Peanut Butter and Conception?
Peanut butter, some nuts, and many other foods contain oxalates, which can bind up calcium and make it unavailable to the body.
However, peanut butter is a nutritious, plant-forward food containing bone-healthy calcium and other essential nutrients, and it can be eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
If fertility is your concern, current research does conclude that men should consume no less than 1000 mg (3.53 oz) per day of calcium-rich foods because calcium is involved in the production of sperm. The research about women, calcium deficiencies, and fertility is inconclusive but indicates the importance of a balanced diet for conception.
Just the Facts About Diet, Peanut Butter and Conception
Your baby-building plan should focus on a balanced diet, first and foremost — all things in moderation. Peanut butter is an excellent addition to your balanced diet because it contains plenty of healthy fats, protein, and magnesium for a healthy heart, blood sugar management, and body weight.
Still, there are many options available in the nut-butter spread family of products, and it’s best to consider your particular health conditions and needs before selecting the best supplement to help balance your diet. It’s hard to rank the best because, in moderation, they’re ALL good for you. Remember to keep the added sugar as low as possible.
Here’s an article with reviews on nut-butters by Women’s Health Magazine
Hey Big Fella – Dropping Some Truth About Peanut Butter for You
While moderation is always the best advice, you might consider peanut butter or, better yet, a handful(s) of peanuts.
Peanuts are loaded with arginine, an amino acid converted into nitric oxide. Keep reading.
Nitric oxide is a compound that helps dilate blood vessels, improving blood flow and circulation. Ahh, now you get it.
Arginine also improves semen quality. Additionally, it enhances libido and testosterone levels. Everybody wins!
Foods To Eat for Best Chance of Conception
Get your body ready and robust for baby-building before you conceive by adding some superfoods to your everyday routine. Superfoods are high in good fats, vitamins, and nutrients your body needs to be healthy and reduce external issues that may make fertility more difficult.
| The Good Stuff | Him? Her? | How’s It Help? | What Should I Eat? |
| Folic Acid | Her | Assists in the baby’s neural tube development, which is responsible for brain and spine formation. Lack of folic acid can cause spina bifida. Add this to your diet prior to and throughout your pregnancy. | AsparagusSpinachCauliflowerBroccoliBok Choy |
| Zink | Her / Him | Her – Assists with regulating hormones and egg maturation.Him – Helps to improve sperm function, level, and overall quality. | Sesame SeedsLentilsLambBeefAsparagus |
| Omega 3 | Her | Assists in hormone balance, encourages cervical mucus and boosts blood flow to the uterus. | SpinachBroccoliAvocado Sunflower SeedsAlmonds |
| Vitamin C | Him | Full of antioxidants to help enhance both the ejaculate volume and quality of sperm. | PapayaPeppersStrawberriesPineapple |
Foods To Reduce, Modify or Eliminate From Your Diet
Moderation. Moderation. Moderation.
Honestly, all food can find a place in your diet. However, it’s the quantity and frequency of the less-good foods you eat that matter.
The foods on the following list aren’t great for anyone daily or multiple times a day. However, they can find an occasional place during the week while still maintaining a balanced diet.
- Soybeans and soy foods. The plant form of estrogen found in soybean may be enough to cause a hormone imbalance that may affect egg production and ovulation.
- Soda, high sugar fruit drinks, and candy. Oh, the good stuff… Excessive sugar can lead to a blood sugar shift, creating a problem with your levels of reproductive hormones, making it difficult to become pregnant.
- Coffee, tea, chocolate, and cola. Ugh, the really good stuff… Caffeine can reduce your chances of getting pregnant and increase your risk of miscarriage. Switch to decaffeinated and reduce the frequency you consume caffeine.
- Hotdogs and lunch meats. Nitrates and Nitrites found in processed meats are just not good for anyone — ever. However, caving into a late-night craving, here and there won’t hurt you and may keep those around you safe from a total wild-eyed breakdown — just do it in moderation.
Don’t fret. Make some minor adjustments to your diet to cut down sugar, reduce caffeine, and get rid of all processed meats (not good for anyone), and your diet will be more balanced, healthy, and ready for baby-making.
Final Thoughts
The baby-building journey can be complicated. For some, the journey is fraught with stress, littered with questions, and filled with the unknown.
Whether you eat peanut butter on the regular, sneak in a cup of coffee or two, plow down a candy bar, or eat your veggies, your body needs a balanced diet to be a healthy landing zone for your baby.
Too much stress, not enough sleep, excessive worry can slow down the process and make getting pregnant tougher.
Generally, the best advice is to eat well, sleep often, and enjoy the journey.
