Let’s make this year different than any before!

I’m suggesting we skip the lofty New Year’s resolution that often leaves us deprived and unhappy and trade it in for living an intentional and mindful year that prioritizes self-care.

While self-care has become quite the trendy term, it simply boils down to prioritizing one’s own physical and mental health. It requires turning inward to uncover the things that bring happiness and joy, and ensuring we do more of those things!

So this year, instead of creating a rigid list of foods or activities you’re swearing off, consider creating a list you can draw upon whenever you’d like to revitalize your commitment to self-love and self-care.

Replenish, Reduce, Repair, Rebalance

Replenish

Replenish nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. Most folks have not eaten a diet that is anywhere close to what our ancestors ate. Foods like liver, kidney, bone broths, and lots of leafy greens or tubers are chock full of nutrients our body needs. How can we expect our body to repair and renew itself each day when we are eating a bowl of cereal and McDonald’s burgers and fries? When you compare that to what our ancestors ate, we are slowly starving our bodies of what they need to function.

ADA Diet Guidelines for 2020

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has released is new guidelines for 2020. In section 5, titled Facilitating Behavior Change, under the heading Eating Patterns, Macronutrient Distribution, and Meal Planning they state the following:

Reducing overall carbohydrate intake for individuals with diabetes has demonstrated the most evidence for improving glycemia and may be applied in a variety of eating patterns that meet individual needs and preferences.

What does it mean then?

Eating a lower carb diet improves blood sugars better than any other diets they have looked at so far. And it can be done by people who are vegans, vegetarians, carnivores, etc.

Can you increase IVF and other ART success rates using nutrition?

Probably! There have been many research studies done on how nutrition and nutrients affect fertility overall, fertility treatments, egg health, sperm health, and reproductive success. While there is no one large study specifically about nutrition and ART (Assisted Reproductive Treatment) success, there are many studies about various aspects of fertility, ART, and nutrition. You will find I have referenced several of them throughout the article.