Foods to avoid if you're trying to conceive

Some foods are not suitable during pregnancy that is something almost every woman is aware of. Raw meats and unpasteurized cheeses are among them, due to the risk they may contain certain bacteria. But did you know that there are also foods that you are better off avoiding when you are trying to conceive? Just like foods that boost your fertility and that might increase your chances of getting pregnant sooner, there are also foods that could decrease your fertility. And then there's always the chance that you are pregnant, so the foods that you should avoid in pregnancy might be safer to leave alone when you are trying for a baby, too. Which foods are we talking about, and why? For the sake of having a complete list, we will also mention things that are not actually foods, but drinks and similar items.

At the top of the list of non-food items that you should avoid while you are trying to conceive a baby are cigarettes and alcohol. These both impact your ability to get pregnant, and could pose a risk to your embryo in the early stages of pregnancy. Then there is caffeine. Some studies link excessive caffeine consumption to a higher chance of miscarriage during the first trimester. We are talking about huge amounts here, as in, more than eight cups of coffee a day. But drinking large amounts of coffee can also decrease your chances of conceiving women who drink three or more cups of coffee a day are up to 27 times less likely to get pregnant according to some sources. Raw meat, or undercooked meat, can contain listeria bacteria. Raw eggs should be avoided due to the danger they might contain salmonella, and the same goes for soft cheeses that have not been pasteurized, like brie and blue cheeses.