How to Lose Weight While Trying to Conceive

Exercise for at least 30 minutes per day. The Today Show website cites part of a Nurses Health Study II, which studied the diet and exercise habits of 17,544 married women who were trying to become pregnant. The researchers found that the women who exercised for at least 30 minutes a day had the lowest incidence of ovulation-related fertility problems. Exercising for 30 minutes a day will also likely help in your weight loss goals.

Minimize trans fats. According to Newsweek, data from Nurses Health Study II reported that the higher the trans-fat intake among the study population, the higher the risk of ovulation-related infertility. The researchers reported that trans-fat consumption of as little as 4 grams per day, which is less than the average daily intake for Americans, significantly increased the risk of infertility. The researchers instead recommended monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats, which appear to improve fertility.

Focus on vegetable protein over animal protein. According to data from the Nurses Health Study II cited in Newsweek, eating more plant-derived protein and less animal protein may guard against infertility. The study found that the women with the highest intake of animal protein were 39 percent more likely to be infertile than those with the lowest intake. Conversely, women with the highest daily consumption of plant protein were significantly less likely to have ovulatory infertility than those with the lowest intake of plant protein.

Eat folate-rich foods. Folic acid is especially important for pregnancy, since it reduces the risk of your baby developing certain birth defects, such as spina bifida. Baby Center U.S. recommends that women who might become pregnant get 400 micrograms of folic acid per day. You can find this in the form of prenatal vitamins and by eating foods rich in folate. These foods include dark green vegetables like spinach and kale, whole grains, nuts and citrus fruits. These foods, most of which are low in calories and high in fiber, are frequent staples of weight loss diets as well. However, you should be mindful of your portions when eating nuts, as they are calorie-dense.

Go for "slow carbs." According to reports from the Nurses Health Study II in Newsweek, the consumption of "fast" or "simple" carbs like white bread, potatoes and sugary soft drinks increase the likelihood of ovulation-related infertility. Slow-digesting, or complex, carbohydrates that are high in fiber appear to improve fertility, the researchers report. Some examples of complex carbohydrates include whole grains, vegetables, whole fruits and beans.