Diet plays an important role in fertility. When you or your partner is ready to conceive, both of you can benefit from drinking green smoothies. Pumpkin seeds and sesame tahini offer high levels of zinc, a natural fertility boost for men and women. For women, leafy greens are a good source of iron and folate.
Papaya, blueberries, oranges, strawberries, and kiwi are high in vitamin C and other antioxidants, and that’s important for keeping your immune system strong. And maca powder is known to increase sex drive, so add that to your smoothies to help get things started!
Because you may suffer from morning sickness at the onset of pregnancy, you’ve actually got more opportunity to get added vitamins and minerals in your diet before you conceive. Choose your foods wisely and enjoy as much variety as you can now. After you’re pregnant, your appetite can change.
The following green smoothie recipes for fertility incorporate a lot of different superfoods, including acai powder, spirulina powder, kelp powder, wheatgrass powder, maca powder, and goji berries. These can all boost your nutrient intake and put your body on the fast track to a healthy pregnancy.
Take them during preconception, but after you know you’re pregnant, set the superfood powders aside and focus more on whole foods. Although no hard evidence indicates that any of the powders are actually dangerous to take during pregnancy, no research has confirmed that they’re safe, either. Many women report taking superfoods while pregnant with no adverse effects, but play it safe and avoid them.
Strawberry, Pumpkin Seed, and Royal Jelly
Preparation time: 3–4 minutes
Blending time: 2 minutes
Yield: 2 servings
1-1/2 cups halved strawberries, leaves and stems removed
1/3 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1 ripe banana, peeled
1 teaspoon royal jelly
1-1/2 cups water
2 cups baby spinach, loosely packed
Combine all the ingredients except the spinach in the blender and secure the lid.
Starting at low speed and gradually increasing toward high, blend the ingredients for 30 to 45 seconds or until the mixture contains no visible pieces of fruit.
Add the spinach and blend again at medium speed for 15 to 30 seconds, gradually increasing the speed to high. Blend on high speed for another 15 to 20 seconds or until the entire mixture is smooth.
Pour the smoothie into two glasses and enjoy!
Per serving: Calories 229 (From Fat 108); Fat 12g (Saturated 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 31mg; Carbohydrate 27g (Dietary Fiber 6g); Protein 9g.
Royal jelly is a natural secretion from the glands of worker bees, and it’s fed to the queen bee for her entire life. This nutrient-dense food helps to strengthen and prepare the queen bee’s ovaries to eventually lay millions of eggs in her lifetime. You can easily see why royal jelly is a food known for fertility, and perhaps even one of the most potent natural fertility boosters there is.
Try adding 1-1/2 cups of fresh blueberries instead of strawberries. Add 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract and/or a dash of ground cinnamon for a sweeter taste.
Full-Bodied Almond, Hemp, and Acai
Preparation time: 3–4 minutes
Blending time: 2 minutes
Yield: 2 servings
2 kiwis, peeled
1 cup blackberries
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons raw almond butter
2 tablespoons hemp powder
1 tablespoon acai powder
1-1/2 cups water
4 Swiss chard leaves
Combine all the ingredients except the Swiss chard in the blender and secure the lid.
Starting at low speed and gradually increasing toward high, blend the ingredients for 30 to 45 seconds or until the mixture is smooth.
Remove and discard the stems of the Swiss chard. Add the Swiss chard and blend again at medium speed for 30 seconds, gradually increasing the speed to high. Blend on high speed for another 15 to 20 seconds or until the entire mixture is smooth.
Pour the smoothie into two glasses and enjoy!
Per serving: Calories 219 (From Fat 99); Fat 11g (Saturated 1g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 48mg; Carbohydrate 26 (Dietary Fiber 10g); Protein 9g.
Use 2 cups of red or green grapes instead of kiwis. Add 1/4 teaspoon of ground turmeric for an added twist of flavor.
Pomegranate, Kelp, and Orange Infusion
Preparation time: 3–4 minutes
Blending time: 2 minutes
Yield: 2 servings
1 cup pomegranate seeds
1 orange, peeled and seeded
1 teaspoon kelp powder
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
1 tablespoon flaxseed oil
1-1/2 cups water
3 large kale leaves
Combine all the ingredients except the kale in the blender and secure the lid.
Starting at low speed and gradually increasing toward high, blend the ingredients for 30 to 45 seconds or until the mixture is smooth.
Remove and discard the stems of the kale. Add the kale and blend again at medium speed for 30 seconds, gradually increasing the speed to high. Blend on high speed for another 15 to 20 seconds or until the entire mixture is smooth.
Pour the smoothie into two glasses and enjoy!
Per serving: Calories 255 (From Fat 99); Fat 11g (Saturated 1g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 24mg; Carbohydrate 39g (Dietary Fiber 10g); Protein 6g.
If you don’t have fresh pomegranate seeds, use 2 tablespoons of pomegranate powder instead.
Use 1-1/2 cups of coconut water instead of plain water for added electrolytes.