As soon as you start trying to get pregnant you are bound to hear “sure-fire” ways to increase your odds. Anyone who has ever been pregnant or knows someone who has (so basically everyone) will tell you what they did or ate or drank or thought that worked for them. Most of the home remedies that you read or hear are baloney (bathing in apple vinegar anyone?!?), but some are actually supported by research.

Check out the following popular home remedies and foods that might just help you get pregnant.

Home Remedies for Getting Pregnant

Soak up the sun.

Research has shown that low levels of Vitamin D can cause infertility. Vitamin D is actually a hormone that your body makes, starting when your skin is exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. It is crucial for good health in general and for getting pregnant.

We don’t know the exact amount of sun exposure for optimum fertility because it depends on many factors, including skin pigmentation, sunscreen use, and at what latitude you live. (You can learn more in a very thorough blog on what we know and don’t know about Vitamin D and how best to get it: One Easy Thing to Do Right Now to Increase Your Chance of Getting Pregnant).

Some people take Vitamin D supplements to make sure they are getting enough. You should first have your blood levels of vitamin D tested and talk with your doctor about the benefits of supplementation.

Eat More Meat

Turns out that eating more protein is good for your fertility and can help you get pregnant. Research has shown that the optimum diet for conception is about 25 to 35% protein. This protein, however, does not have to come from meat. To learn more, check out this blog: Best Diet for IVF and Increasing Fertility

Eat Less Junk

Simple carbohydrates found in white flour, sugar, and processed foods are bad for us in general and can make it less likely that you will get pregnant. You want to have carbohydrates in general be less that about 40% of your diet for peak fertility, and most of these carbs should be complex, including vegetable, fruit, whole grains, and legumes (beans, lentils, peas, etc.)

Drink More Water

We don’t actually know that drinking more water can help you get pregnant, but we do know that women who drink more water are less likely to consume sodas. And there is good evidence that both the sugar and artificial sweeteners in soda should be avoided when trying to get pregnant.

Some Foods That Might Help You Get Pregnant (or at least can’t hurt)

Pomegranates. According to Dr. Andy Toledo, a reproductive endocrinologist with RMA in Atlanta, eating pomegranates or drinking pomegranate juice when trying to conceive or going through infertility treatment is likely not going to make or break your getting pregnant, but pomegranates are chock full of antioxidants and are good for us in so many ways, so why not give it a try.

Olive Oil. Much like pomegranates, olive oil is not a magic fertility elixir for getting pregnant, but it is generally accepted as part of a healthy diet, and we know a healthy well-balanced diet is good for those trying to get pregnant.

Avocados. Ditto to what was said about olive oil.

Words of Caution

Keep in mind that if you’ve been trying for 12 months (if you’re under 35) or 6 months (35+) and haven’t become pregnant, you need to see an infertility specialist. No food alone can cure the disease of infertility. Creating a Family has resources to help you find the right infertility clinic for you. Creating a Family Choosing a Fertility Clinic or Doctor: A Multimedia Guide For Those Considering Infertility Treatment

Other Creating a Family Resources You Will Enjoy

Source: Creating a Family Radio Show with Dr. Andy Toledo on How to Get Pregnant When It’s Not Happening Fast
Image credit: Jill Wellington