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Conception

Special ttc diets

79 replies

Natty1806 · 02/11/2006 13:35

Hi

As AF is due yet again in a few days i have decided this month to try a really healthy approach to ttc starting with the food that i eat.

I am going to avoid caffine (tea, coffee, fizzy drinks, chocolate), booze, packet foods.

I cannot afford organic foods, how much of a difference do you think this will have?

I am going to try wholemeal foods (bread, pasta) lots of fruit and veg.

Is there anything else i need to know and does anyone know anyone who has fallen pregnant by changing there diet?

I am aiming to do this for 4 weeks and then as it will be December and Chritmas parties etc i think it will all go out the window then.

If anyone also wants to join in with me and help motivate me when the caffine and toxins are calling then please feel free.

sorry if i have rambled, one of those days.

Thanks for reading x

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Natty1806 · 02/11/2006 13:42

Forgot to say if anyone can give me any meal idea that would be great.

thanks

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ready4motherhood · 02/11/2006 14:59

I'll join you Natty... DH eats a lot (he's a sportsman not a bloater!!) and I while it is healthy stuff I tend to eat more than I need because of that... I'll blame him instead of me

Organic??: Have you got a local produce box scheme in once a week, I don't know where you are, but there is a niche in the market so there's bound to be someone near by. I don't want to harp on or anything but supermarket fruit and veg can be loaded with pesticides, which can't be good??!! It's all about getting stuff to last longer in storage etc. I don't always choose organic because it isn't always better, but small farms don't use anywhere near the amount of pesticides that large ones do, so I prefer that. When I have to buy f&v in a supermarket, 90% of the time I would go organic. It is more expensive, so understand why it's difficult.

Meals?? Pasta bakes are a fave in this house. Not too much pasta or cheese, just enough to be a pasta bake... Mainly roasted veggies and tomatoes.
Stirfries are good (although I am always hungry 2 hours later!!)
I do alot of chicken with rice/pasta variations. Spanish Chicken is really healthy.

Count me in!!

Thanks

ready4motherhood · 02/11/2006 15:00

Sorry, I realise that I may have made it sound like you absolutely shouldn't eat supermarket veg. That's not for me to say. sorry.

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Natty1806 · 02/11/2006 15:10

Hi, glad someone else is joining me, so should i buy fruit and veg from the market? Or go for a local box thing (think we had a leaflet through ages ago) live in the country side so shouldn't be too hard.

What about meat? Do you get yours from the Butchers rather than the supermarket?

Think we have health food shop in the town, will have a look in there on Saturday for some ideas etc. Oh and have jsut thought we do have a organic shop that sells a few items of veg but not many (and some funny shapes)

Thanks

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ready4motherhood · 02/11/2006 15:23

If you have a market near you, and don't mind asking the stall holder if it is local, or they might have signs for the local stuff. If you live in the countryside there will definitely be some suppliers of locally produced f&v. What about roadside stalls? or any farm shops... a quick look on the net will source plenty for you.

I buy organic or free range chicken from either the supermarket or the butchers, wherever I am nearest. I would never buy the value stuff, you know, a whole chicken for £4.99 etc because food just can't be that cheap if it has been reared in the right ways!

LOL - yeah the F&V I get delivered is sometimes funny shapes, but that is just it, it's grown naturally, and not pumped with god knows what to make it big and plump.

I try week on week to pay less for groceries, but I feel really strongly about ethical produce... does that make me sound like a flakey hippy?? My mum thinks I go too far... and maybe I do

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Natty1806 · 02/11/2006 15:33

No, i just wish i could afford to be like you. I am bad and buy value chicken how much should i be looking to spend? Do i ask butchers for organic meat?

i have never brought meat from the butchers before just packet stuff for the bbq's in the summer.

Off to look for farm shops.

Thanks

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Babymad2DS · 02/11/2006 15:49

lovely, I'm in!
I don't eat very good in the day, lunch times! I've always kept meals pretty balanced for my family, It's just when I'm on my own in the day.

I do a healthy breakfast for my children and myself.
I cook a healthy balance tea for my family, 9 times out of 10 with 2/3 veg.
Would love ideas for a health dinner/lunch for just me! But I cant aford to spend alot!
Need help staying away from cakes and chocolate.
Need motivating to drink lots more water and eating fruit.
also need motivating when it comes to swimming three time a week (but not when I'm on AF)

Natty this is a great idea!
Lets hope we get our BFP at the end of this!

Thanks

ready4motherhood · 02/11/2006 15:53

I understand about not affording it... so I would say just buy the best that you can afford. Organic chicken is ridiculously expensive, even I don't get that, unless the free range is sold out. When I say value I mean "blue stripe" IYKWIM?? The regular middle of the road stuff I wouldn't consider value.

I don't want to confuse the issue... I am not saying that it will affect your chances of TTC if you eat other than organic/free range. Plenty of women get pregnant eating NO fruit or veg. It's just a personal standpoint of chemicals/pesticides that we have no idea that they are doing to our bodies.

It is embarrasing going into the butchers, I hate it... when I asked if the chicken was organic he almost laughed... my southern accent doesn't help up North!! A way around it is to phone them and ask, that way they can't see you blush!! Most good butchers will sell free range as standard, but it is best to check and their prices are not too bad.

I really should get off my soapbox

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Natty1806 · 02/11/2006 16:11

Right trip to the butchers for me this Saturday then, i will just ask for what i what, 2 chicken breasts etc. Our butchers only do locally produced meat (looked on website) so that should be okay.

When i had accupunture the lady did say to avoid packet /processed foods as the plastic there are in contains oestrogen (sp?) which can have an effect on you,plus all the other toxins that are in the food.

Can't wait to start this so Sat, Welcome babymad

Ideas for breakfast - porriage (homemade?) or brankflakes, wholmeal toast
Lunch - salad sandwich on granary bread, home mad soup

Are these okay?

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Babymad2DS · 02/11/2006 16:31

I have porriage every morning, I always fancy hot lunch but end up snacking because i cant be bothered! Something quick and easy, any ideas!?

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ready4motherhood · 02/11/2006 16:42

I've got a great recipe for veg soup, that can be frozen in portions and reheated as necessary, I will dig it out for you. Great for a hot lunch Babymad!!

I didn't know that about packaged/processed foods and oestrogen!! Scary!!

As it is locally produced then it won't have many (if any) chemicals. Some farmers rear organically but cannot get organic status if their meat is "hung" at an abbattoir that has non organic meat as well. Always go for local! Let me know if it is much more expensive?

For breakfast I have cereal (worried now cos they are all obviously processed!!) usually oat crisp or shredded wheat... wholegrain stuff that is good for the heart apparently. And I have skimmed milk.

Lunch - when I am being good (ha ha not often enough) I will have a yoghurt, fruit, carrot sticks and lots of water. But a salad sandwich is v. healthy.

I will start Monday as we have friends visiting and will be going out for a meal on Sunday to the best gastro pub in the world... and I have to have Hotpot.

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Babymad2DS · 02/11/2006 16:51

ready4motherhood Veg soup sounds great, tin soup tasts to salty for me, could i have bread with it?

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wannaBe1974 · 02/11/2006 17:02

hiya natty long time

Personally I wouldn't buy value meat because generally it is pumped full of water to bulk it out. try frying a value chicken breast vs a non value chicken breast and see how much more the value one splutters etc - that's the water being released.

for breakfast I have bran flakes, you could have salad sandwich for lunch and then healthy dinner pasta/rice perhaps? and drink lots of water and exercise plenty because exercise increases blood flow and that is a good thing

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conkertree · 02/11/2006 17:15

Hi - mind if I join in? I totally agree with rfm about trying to eat locally produced foods where possible, and some of the farmers markets round us are great - although they are expensive. Trouble i'm finding just now is having the time to cook anything other than pasta and sauce (home made as often as possible). Get home from work about 6 (the nights I do come home before going out again) and am out most nights. Would love to find easily transportable food that isn't soup - do like it but gets a bit dull after a while. I never seem to be organised enough to get up early and cook tea to take with me.

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conkertree · 02/11/2006 17:18

other thing i meant to say was, it all depends if you are trying to lose weight, or just be as healthy as possible, cause a salad sandwich at lunch wouldn't keep me full enough to work all afternoon. I'd need some cheese, or an egg or something to go with it.

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ready4motherhood · 02/11/2006 17:34

Nothing wrong with bread in your diet... I would have a little bit of bread with soup.

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conkertree · 02/11/2006 17:38

people seem to go on about white bread not being all that good for you because of things they put in it that aren't in wholemeal bread - but does anyone know if organic white bread is better?

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MrsMcJnr · 02/11/2006 17:42

Natty - count me in. I have a book at home that has a whole list of things to avoid and why, I'll post it tomorrow.

I know that dairy is one of them and that you should only have red meat once a week. Also, don't know where I got this from but you should always eat organic chicken, beef and lamb apparently don't matter so much.

I haven't been following any of these things though.

I would like to join a box scheme too, must look into that.

Wherever I was reading this stuff also said that some non-organic veg and fruit are worse than others but helpfully, I cannot remember which!

I have porridge with raisins every weekday morning for breakfast too. I have not had a day off sick this year since I started that, don't know if that is down to the porridge but am certainly healthier this year.

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Natty1806 · 02/11/2006 18:08

Well there seems to be a lot of us now which is good.

I am still going to have bread but not white same with pasta going for brown (OH will hate that) oh well.

I would like to lose a few pounds but as my BMI etc is fine i am going to focus on the healthyness of it all rather than the calories, even though i will still be counting these.

Yes mrs- accupunturist told me to avoid dairy, bannanas and citrus fruits so they can make you mucussy in the womb area which is not good. But this goes against the advice of mners of drinking grapefruit juice to improve CM. confussed.

Wannabe - long time no see, how is it going?

...right off to write my shopping list. x

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conkertree · 02/11/2006 20:24

is anyone trying to eat particular foods to try and help determine the sex of the baby? I'm not but i've read bits about it - i would imagine its a bit of an old wives tale, but i'm happy to be told otherwise

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ready4motherhood · 02/11/2006 20:50

It's the bleach in the flour I think that makes people say white bread is bad for you... have to confess that I will stand firm cos I love it As for organic white being better... I would say that the wheat used will not have any chemicals added to make it last longer... so probably better, but likely to go mouldy quick.

Actually prefer brown rice though!!

I'm with you Natty, my BMI is fine, but I could do with losing a few lbs and putting all the right things into my body!

Does anybody know why dairy is not good?? I thought you should have it cos of the calcium?? In my book it says "try to eat several servings a day when pregnanct" it seems funny to be a no-no while ttc... what about the 2ww?

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twinklemegan · 02/11/2006 20:57

"does anyone know anyone who has fallen pregnant by changing there diet?" Yes, me! - gatecrashing I'm sorry! After 4 years of trying I bought Zita West's book "Fertility and Conception" and tried to implement some of her recommendations. In particular I succeeded in giving up caffeine. Don't know if it's just coincidence but within two months I was pregnant (little boy, born in July!) Hugs all round - good luck ladies!!

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conkertree · 02/11/2006 20:58

its very confusing cause some places say eat lots of yoghurt and drink milk, and other say avoid it - there seems to be more people these days with dairy allergies but i don't know if that is in any way linked

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ready4motherhood · 02/11/2006 20:58

Veg soup recipe... for some reason I cannot find it... so this is from memory, might need a tweak here and there. Apologies.
...
600ml veg stock (this is a guess, but you will be able to tell if it is too much)
1 Squash ( i guess you could use pumpkin)
2 carrots
2 celery sticks
1 onion
1 clove garlic (or more if you like)

Cut all veg into chunks.
Bring to the boil in stock and simmer until veg is tender.
Pour 1/2 of the soup into blender and blitz. (if you prefer no chunks, blitz it all)
Return to the pot, season with herbs of choice, and simmer gently until it is the consistency you prefer. Enjoy.

It can be frozen once cooled and reheated when required.

I have the feeling I have forgotten something (probably crucial)... I will make it next week and let you know. Unless someone else makes it first [eeeek]

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conkertree · 02/11/2006 21:01

also - i know people have talked about trying to get their DHs and DPs to eat more healthily and drink less - mine always says that as it takes 100 days to make sperm, and he gave up drinking for a wee bit around three months ago, its already made and he can eat and drink what he likes now - think he's joking, but not sure - and unless we got pg on the first month of trying, which seems unlikely, i dread to think what condition next months sperm will be in

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