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Eating for Fertility: Treat Yourself
Plus, the best mac and cheese recipe in the world.
Reniqua Allen-Lamphere
November 26, 2024
Can an extra serving impact my fertility?
It can sometimes feel hard to find joy when you’re dealing with your fertility, but I hope you can all take a moment to enjoy the holiday, celebrate the small wins, and give thanks for all the things that you do have. I am thankful that I did not give up during the darkest of days (and there were many) and have not one but two beautiful rainbow children, George and Charlie. But I’m also thankful I had a village and community around me for support.
During the holidays, especially Thanksgiving, we show support through food. But food can also impact your fertility. When I was gearing up for IVF, I was desperate to make it work. I knew I couldn’t control things like my age or my uterus, but it did feel like food was something that I could. I tried everything: keto, giving up alcohol, going gluten-free, vegan, the Mediterranean diet, you name it. In the end, I’m not sure if any of it worked, but also, whose to say it didn’t? However, although I wish I worried a little less about the food I ate, I wish I had someone to help me figure out what was best to eat and how I could do so while both indulging in the foods of my culture (mac and cheese is seriously one of the best things in the world).
I spoke to Katia Powell-Laurent, a doula and nutritionist at Hued Mamas Co, about the importance of food during Thanksgiving and for fertility for people from the African diaspora.
Katia: How does our culture around food impact our fertility?
Food is love. Food is stories. Food is family. It's more than just food. Thanksgiving is coming up. So, like, it's that favorite aunt or uncle, whoever makes the macaroni and cheese.
I had a friend that was like, “I love mac and cheese.” I was like, me too. How? And they make it on a stovetop. And I was like, I can't trust you. You lost me, macaroni and cheese, like real macaroni…in the oven!
Reniqua: That's so funny because I wanted to ask you specifically about the holidays. So mac and cheese, you know, my mom makes it. Can we eat the mac and cheese for the holiday if we're going through fertility stuff? How do we navigate that coming from Black culture?
Katia: Listen, it's okay. Thanksgiving is like a day, right? So these one-day events like Thanksgiving, do not deprive yourself of that. I mean, post-COVID, we're finally able to be in spaces with our community, and there's food. And as long as you're not going through a cycle, et cetera, have the wine, have the drink. Take the pressure off, and eat the food as long as you don't have any contraindications. Eat the ice cream, eat the mac and cheese, eat whatever it is that you've been waiting for, and it brings you joy. But know that it's a day. Don't take it home, [don’t] pack a plate, which can last you for days, because you know, we love to feed each other, right? But yeah, just eat the food.
Retta said it best, “treat yo self.”
While I like mac and cheese, there’s evidence that turkey, is the dish that is more helpful for fertility. Research shows that the iron and zinc in turkey can boost your fertility, and iron is helpful if you have heavy periods. But enough of the research. Despite that I’m on the other side of some of this fertility stuff, I’m going to take Katia’s advice. I’m going to take a moment to have a stress-free day.
From the Oshun Griot Kitchen 🍽️
We’ll feature more food types that can help boost fertility, but in the holiday spirit, if you’re looking for some comfort, here’s my mom's infamous mac and cheese recipe, which my Aunt Bee gave her.
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P.S. Feel free to share your favorite recipes in our comment section. 😁
Thank you.
Finally, I just wanted to thank all of you for your readership, input, and support for this community we’re trying to create. I deeply believe that fertility is a struggle that no one should have to go through alone or unsupported. I give thanks every day for my two amazing rainbow babies, and I’m so grateful that I can experience this very wild ride of motherhood. I want everyone that wants to have children to be able to do so and I am thankful that so many of you have let me into your world to experience your journey.
Next up: a holiday gift guide, dry January, and starting over in the new year.
If this newsletter vibes with you, please share it with your friends or someone you know who’s struggling with their fertility. And if you are interested in discussing our fertility app with my team or want something covered in the newsletter, please reach out.
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