Whether two people hope to conceive naturally or opt to receive help from a fertility provider, it is important that all involved maintain a healthy weight. The ovaries and fat cells regulate estrogen production in women, which affects ovulation. If a woman is overweight, she may be producing an excess amount of estrogen. Extra body weight is also correlated with a higher incidence of insulin resistance, which can further disrupt patterns of ovulation. If a woman is too underweight, she may not be producing enough estrogen.

Women who are too thin are also at a higher risk for preterm birth. There have been many “crash diets” and “miracle foods reported in the media with very little research to back them up. However, health and nutrition play a very vital role in fertility. The food and diet choices that you make can positively affect your fertility treatment in a number of ways. In addition to the direct impact of a nutritious diet on fertility, nutritious food choices are necessary to supply the building blocks necessary for fetal development.