Because the reporter questioned it, I thought I would address it. Why is wheat and dairy prohibited on our diet when trying to conceive?
The arguments I have for taking either out of the diet are similar for both. Let’s start with wheat. There are a few reasons it’s off the list.
- It’s hard to digest. When trying to conceive, we want to ease the work of our digestion—which is the most labor-intensive function in the body—so as to have more energy available to nourish and heal other parts of the body, particularly our reproductive system.
- A high percentage of people have a sensitivity to wheat and don’t even know it. This can lead to a host of problems, such as bloating, inflammation, fatigue. It can also affect thyroid function, which is important for fertility. It also means your body is working even harder to digest this food, and again, we want to ease the work of our digestion when trying to conceive.
- Wheat can have a more acidic effect on the body when we need to maintain a more alkaline pH balance for health and fertility.
- Dairy unquestionably is hard to digest. (http://fertilekitchen.blogspot.com/search/label/dairy)
- Many adults are unable to process lactose, the sugar in milk, making it even harder on our bodies. Others still have a sensitivity to lactose.
- Finally, there are a number of studies that link dairy to fertility issues, and for me that’s enough. Why take a chance?
I also feel that if there is any chance a food item will cause an issue with fertility, just take it off the list, no questions. Why take any chances? Our time is so limited. Why not do all you can to optimize your fertility. Why not be able to say you did everything you could? That was important to me.
Here are some links:
http://shrinkingfibroids.blogspot.com/2008/05/why-avoid-wheat.html
http://www.endometriosiszone.org/content/congress_ASRM2003-mills.htm
