Why you need to eat enough calories if you’re trying to conceive
WHY YOU NEED TO EAT ENOUGH CALORIES IF YOU’RE TRYING TO CONCEIVE
Most women that come to work with me have irregular periods and hormonal imbalances.
One thing that they’re often overlooking: They’re not getting enough calories - consistently.
What do calories have to do with hormones?
If we don’t get enough calories, this affects our hormones > which affects our periods > which affects our ability to get pregnant.
It also signals to the body that there aren't enough resources to support one person let alone two.
Our brain has a gland called the pituitary gland, which is responsible for releasing hormones that regulate our menstrual cycle, thyroid function, stress response, and more.
The pituitary gland is SUPER sensitive to fluctuations in calories, especially decreases in calories. (Martin et al)
This means that if we don’t eat enough calories, especially day in and day out, we can be creating some major imbalances in our hormones, including:
Low Progesterone. Progesterone opposes estrogen. It’s pro-fertility, pro-thyroid, and anti-anxiety.
*We might experience low progesterone symptoms, including:
↬PMS
↬Irregular cycles
↬PCOS
↬Low libido
↬Hot flashes
↬Vaginal dryness
↬Acne
↬Mood swings
↬Weight gain
↬And more
We need Progesterone to get pregnant just like we need many other hormones the pituitary gland is responsible for.
It may seem simple, but getting enough calories can make a huge difference when we’re trying to balance our hormones, regulate our cycles, and get pregnant. Enough calories signals safety, which is what our body needs if we're trying to conceive.
❔Everyone is different, so finding the exact number takes some experimentation. Do you have tips to share on how to make sure you’re getting enough calories each day? Share them below!
For more information about how many calories to eat to support your fertility, stay tuned for version 2.0 of my signature eCourse, Conscious Conception, relaunching this spring/summer. Get on the waitlist here.
___
Not medical advice.
References:
Martin, B. Golden, E. Carlson, O.D. Egan, J.M. Mattson, M.P. Maudsley, S. (2008). Caloric restriction: Impact upon pituitary function and reproduction. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2634963/.
TTC? Get empowered with Conscious Conception, the ultimate fertility blueprint created to help you optimize your fertility and enter pregnancy empowered.
Stay in touch.
Sign up for my newsletter to get access to exclusive content and resources all about fertility and beyond.
We will never misuse your information.
