Balancing Blood Sugar with Protein to Support Fertility

For many people, boosting fertility is all about leading a healthy lifestyle. And a big part of that healthy lifestyle is nutrition. If you’ve done even cursory research into improving your chances of conception, you’ve likely stumbled into the role nutrition plays in fertility and you’ve almost certainly been warned to steer clear of sugar. But… why? It all comes down to blood sugar, baby, and it’s not as simple as cutting out the candy and cookies. We’re covering everything you need to know about the effects of sugar on the body, why it’s problematic during conception and pregnancy, and why balancing blood sugar with protein can help boost fertility. Whew!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Carbohydrates have a direct effect on blood sugar levels, and the type of carb will affect how quickly and how high those levels rise.
  • Diets high in refined carbs and sugar can create insulin resistance and have a negative effect on fertility for both men and women.
  • Regulating blood sugar is one way to support fertility, and prioritizing balanced meals that include protein and fiber is a great start.

Nutrition can be difficult to manage, especially if you’ve been living on a diet of processed foods. But while you may need to depend on sheer willpower in the beginning, those cravings really will begin to subside when you’re getting adequate amounts of nourishing foods that deliver sustained energy. Pro tip? Start with protein in the morning. Not only will you make all your hard working muscles happy, you’ll start off your day with stable blood sugar – and when you’re looking for a fertility boost, that’s exactly what you want.

This is Your Body on Sugar

Have you ever seen a kid race around after downing a candy bar or a bowl of ice cream, becoming increasingly frantic and out of control until finally collapsing in (often teary) exhaustion? You’re watching a blood sugar spike in action, and it’s not pretty.

Every carbohydrate you eat breaks down in the digestive tract into simple sugars, which are then absorbed into the bloodstream and thus increasing blood sugar levels. How quickly that level rises, and how high, depends on whether you’ve eaten simple or complex carbohydrates. Simple carbs, found in baked goods, fruit juices, refined flour, candy, and table sugar, break down quickly because they’re simple molecules made with large amounts of glucose. That means a big glucose dump in the bloodstream, creating a big, rapid rise in blood sugar levels.

Complex carbs are, as the name indicates, more complex structures with fewer glucose molecules. These are the carbs found in veggies, low-sugar fruits, whole grains, and legumes. They also contain fiber, which has a dampening effect on the breakdown and absorption of glucose into the blood. While complex carbs do have a mild increase in blood sugar, it’s much slower.

Here’s the thing – it’s not great for the body to have a bunch of glucose cruising through the bloodstream. Actually, sugar is downright damaging to the organs and tissues, which is where insulin comes into play. To move glucose into muscle cells, where it can be used for energy, the pancreas releases insulin to help maintain stable blood sugar levels. The more simple carbs we eat, the higher our blood sugar, and the harder the pancreas works to release insulin. It creates a pretty nasty little cycle where we chow down a bagel and a cup of coffee, and after a little burst of energy, you realize you’re irritable, tired, and desperately craving another sugar fix.

What’s more, this kind of simple carb-heavy diet means our cells can become insulin resistant, which means we’re no longer capable of effectively regulating blood sugar. It’s a direct path to prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Now, what do sugar and insulin have to do with fertility and reproductive health? We’re so glad you asked!

This is Your Fertility on Sugar

Let’s get straight to the facts. Women with diets high in sugar and refined or simple carbohydrates have a much higher risk of ovulatory infertility. Those undergoing fertility treatment have lower pregnancy rates. And because insufficient blood sugar regulation can ramp up cortisol, mess with adrenals, interfere with sex hormones, and negatively affect thyroid function, it means chances of conception drop.

If you’re familiar with PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, you may already know that insulin resistance is a key player. When the ovaries are routinely exposed to high levels of insulin in the bloodstream, they begin producing higher levels of male hormones. That interferes with ovulation, creating irregular cycles and infertility.

Oh, and men aren’t immune, either. Diets high in sugar and simple carbs can affect sperm concentration and motility, while also lowering testosterone levels. For couples hoping to conceive, experts recommend dialing in nutrition, among other healthy lifestyle habits, and in an effort to stabilize blood sugar and optimize fertility. But let’s get specific, shall we?

Regulating Blood Sugar with Protein

Clearly, you should both be prioritizing complex carbohydrates over the simple kind. But your focus should also be on protein. The big benefit of protein, especially in the morning, is its impact on blood sugar. Balanced meals that include protein, fiber, and healthy fats, along with complex carbs, slow that carb breakdown of and help stabilize blood sugar all the livelong day. Reach for organic, pasture-raised meats, eggs, wild-caught fish, nuts, seeds, whole and unprocessed carbs in their natural form (i.e. vegetables and whole grains like oats, quinoa, buckwheat), and olive oil.

Make a conscious effort to avoid processed vegetable oils, trans fats, added sugars (honey, maple syrup, agave), sodas and sweetened beverages, and pretty much anything made with flour – which is a long list. Doing so will help ensure your blood sugar stays stable throughout the day. Not only will that help support your fertility, you’ll notice that you have more energy.

Try This

No time, energy, or inclination to prepare a balanced breakfast? Mix up a nutritious smoothie and whizz in a scoop of high-quality collagen. This animal-sourced protein has all the amino acids your body needs, and because it's mostly taste-less, it's a smart addition to just about anything (think juices, coffee, oatmeal, and even soup).

Add a scoop to our fertility smoothie recipe, blend, and enjoy!

The Takeaway

The health of both parents plays a big role in the success of a future conception, pregnancy, and healthy little baby. If you’re thinking of becoming a parent, this preconception window is a prime time to clean up your act and support your fertility. So be clear about the role your diet plays, start taking a high-quality prenatal vitamin now, and skip the nutrient-void cereals in favor of a protein-rich breakfast. You’d be surprised what a difference it makes.

Additional Resources

Most births occur between June and early November. Count back nine months, and you’ll see that places most conceptions in the fall and winter. So what’s the deal? Is it the cold weather, all the festivities, or something else driving us between the sheets? That ugly sweater is pretty cute, but you can chalk this up to reproductive seasonality. Here’s what that means, why it matters, and what to do to use it to your advantage.

Read More

Many men overlook how crucial sperm health is until it's too late. Red flag statements can signal poor sperm quality. Whether trying to conceive or maintaining health, recognizing these signs early can impact your fertility and well-being.

Read More

Fall is not just a time for pumpkin spice lattes and cooler weather; it’s also an opportunity to optimize fertility, particularly for men. Cooler temperatures naturally benefit sperm health, while Beli for Men provides the essential nutrients needed to take those benefits even further. 

Read More

Egg quantity and quality are critical aspect of our reproductive well-being. By understanding the ideal number of eggs at various ages, why egg quality and quantity matter, and how to nurture and improve egg health, we can make informed decisions about our fertility and overall health.

Read More

Miscarriage is a complex issue, and while sperm health is just one factor, it's a crucial one. By understanding the statistics and research surrounding miscarriage and sperm health, couples can take proactive steps to improve fertility outcomes. Beli Vitality for Men offers a comprehensive fertility supplement solution, supported by industry research and designed to improve sperm health. By combining Beli Vitality with healthy lifestyle choices, couples can optimize their fertility journey and increase their chances of a successful pregnancy.

Read More

While it’s true that popular hair loss meds work minor miracles on that receding hairline and back-of-the-head bald patch, it’s also true that it can come with side effects—some of them sexual. So, what does that mean in terms of male fertility? Here’s what couples should understand about the effects of popular hair-loss medications on sperm health.

Read More

The long, lazy days of summer aren’t just prime vacation days. Summer could actually be an especially fertile season, which may be of interest to couples who are interested in starting a family. If you’re angling for parenthood this summer, here’s what to know about the season of fertility.

Read More

The summer heat really can have a temporary effect on male fertility, so doing what you can to keep cool, especially if the goal is becoming a dad, is really important. Here are tips to keep you and the boys cool this summer.

Read More

If you’re no stranger to the telltale signs of seasonal allergies—sneezing, itching, nasal congestion, irritated eyes, the works—you’re likely familiar with antihistamines. When you’re actively trying to conceive, there’s more to understand about histamines, seasonal allergies and how it affects your fertility.

Read More

When the plan is a baby, but you’re having a hard time conceiving, it’s normal to start wondering why. While there can be a number of issues in play, one tends to be overlooked: sleep quality. Specifically, men who have the sleep disorder sleep apnea could be at greater risk of fertility issues. Now, new research is drawing a more definitive link between sleep apnea and male fertility. Let’s review.

Read More

Fact: You can’t look at a guy—or eyeball his semen sample, for that matter—and determine his fertility. It just doesn’t work that way. The only way to truly assess sperm health is with a semen analysis. But there are a few lifestyle choices and truths that may indicate whether a man’s sperm is healthy and happy. 

Read More

While PCOS can be a challenging condition to manage, natural supplements like inositol that are included in Beli Preconception Boost offer a beacon of hope. Inositol's ability to improve insulin sensitivity, hormone balance, and ovulatory function makes it a valuable tool in the PCOS management toolkit. 

Read More

The concern that hormonal contraception affects future fertility is making the rounds on social media again. But research continues to show that all that worry is for naught. While birth control doesn’t cause long-term fertility issues, it can mask them by creating an artificial cycle—something that’s important to understand.

Read More

While it’s lumped into the “bodily fluid” category, semen is a complex cocktail of compounds designed to support fertility. Like sperm quality, semen health can be influenced by lifestyle factors—an important realization for couples trying to conceive. From color to consistency, here’s what healthy semen looks like.

Read More

There’s a lot of chatter when it comes to male masturbation and what it says about a man’s fertility or whether it’s an issue when a couple is actively trying to conceive. And in the interest of clearing up the confusion, we’re taking a facts-based approach to the topic of men, masturbation and fertility.

Read More

For many of us, our twenties and even thirties are a time when the focus is on pregnancy prevention. And that’s okay! But even when the idea of motherhood is miles away there is tremendous value in understanding your fertility health and what you can do to support it during these young, carefree days.

Read More

Once a month, PMS symptoms make their unpleasant presence known. And while knowing what’s happening won’t make PMS magically disappear, it can help you manage symptoms by balancing hormones and supporting your reproductive health. Let’s review.

Read More

Raise your hand if you already know that you have a biological clock. From age 35 and beyond, there is a natural decline in testosterone and sperm quality. Just as people lose muscle strength, flexibility and endurance with age, sperm also tend to lose their "fitness" over the life cycle. But what does that mean—and does it really matter?

Read More

It’s an easy assumption, but you’re much better off thinking that every prenatal vitamin is wildly different in terms of composition, nutrient quality and, importantly, nutrient amount. Not only is that actually true, it puts you in the smart consumer mindset of understanding what matters in a prenatal vitamin—and why.

Read More

If you have endometriosis, you can already recite its lengthy list of pretty terrible symptoms. And the standard options for managing those symptoms — medications, hormone therapy, hormonal birth control, estrogen blockers, surgery —  aren’t always great. But there is evidence that a so-called “endometriosis diet” can help.

Read More

Men really do benefit from specialized nutrition in the form of a prenatal vitamin that’s formulated to support sperm health. Here’s what that looks like, and how specific nutrients can impact a man’s fertility health before fatherhood.

Read More

Shilajit is finally getting the credit it’s due, and we’re proud to point out that our proprietary formula was the very first to include this powerful Ayurvedic compound. Here’s why shilajit is rapidly becoming the darling of the male fertility world–and what you’re missing if you’re skipping it.

Read More

Ever wondered why men produce so much darn sperm, especially if only one of them will ultimately fertilize the egg? There are millions of sperm in normal ejaculate because it increases the likelihood that one will reach the egg and seal the deal. It begs the question, what exactly happens on the journey to the egg?

Read More

Optimal nutrition plays a pivotal role in enhancing fertility and supporting a healthy pregnancy. A diet rich in essential nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fats, lays the foundation for reproductive health.

Read More

Is there anything unsexier than scheduled, pressure-ridden, trying-like-hell-to-conceive sex? But good news. We’ve found handy workarounds and tricks of the trade, so forget the basal temperature chart for a second and read on for four ways to keep things hot when you’re TTC.

Read More

If you’re noticing any of these signs, the good news is that it’s simple to make changes. Switching to a high-quality prenatal like Beli's Prenatal—one formulated with chelated minerals, methylated B vitamins, 400 mg of choline, and vegan vitamin D3—can make a world of difference. 

Read More

Choline is an overlooked essential nutrient in many prenatal vitamin formulas, and it's a major oversight. Here at Beli, we've been sounding the alarm for years and it's gratifying to see that the market is beginning to catch up. That's thanks in part to articles like "The 7 Best Choline Supplements for Pregnancy, According to a Prenatal Dietitian" from Parents. Spoiler: Beli for Women made the list.

Read More

Optimal nutrition plays a pivotal role in enhancing fertility and supporting a healthy pregnancy. A diet rich in essential nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fats, lays the foundation for reproductive health.

Read More
×

Change Shipping Country

Cancel