Are berries okay to eat when TTC and during pregnancy?
Berries are very nutritious and should be part of a healthy well-balanced diet before and during pregnancy. However, because some berries grow in or close to earth, you may want to make sure to wash them thoroughly before eating them.
Which berries are best when TTC trying to conceive get pregnant?
Blueberries and raspberries are loaded with natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients. These are both nutrients that help boost both female and male fertility. Thety are high in folate and vitamin C, which can help with fetal development down the road. In addition to their natural fertility-enhancing ability, berries are also a good source of fiber and can aid weight loss. Because women at a healthier weight (BMI 20-25) tend to have less trouble conceiving, and those who are obese (BMI over 30) have more trouble getting pregnant, you should have berries be part of your daily diet and aim for at least one cup a day.
Many berries such as cherries, blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries are among the richest known sources of antioxidants.Tart cherries, for example, are an anti-inflammatory powerhouse. New research suggests that tart cherries offer pain relief from gout and arthritis, reduce exercise-induced joint and muscle pain, lower cholesterol, and improve inflammatory markers. Drink a glass of tart cherry juice in the morning with breakfast or combine dried tart cherries with nuts for a snack.
Sore muscles after a workout don’t have to be a given. British researchers recently found that people who drank 1 ounce of concentrated cherry juice twice daily for 10 days bounced back faster from their workout (an intensive leg-resistance training session on day 8) than those who skipped the juice. Researchers think it’s because the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in tart cherries—and other dark red and purple fruit juices like grape, pomegranate, acai, blueberry and cranberry—act as natural NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin), reducing exercise-induced muscle damage.