Nutrition

A woman's life is a journey full of changes and unique moments, where nutrition plays a delicate but extraordinarily significant role, influencing well-being and vitality at every stage.

During adolescence, correct nutrition plays a crucial role, helping to shape the foundations for lasting health. The need for iron, essential with the advent of the first menstruation, and calcium, for the peak of bone mass around the age of 18, underlines the importance of a balanced diet. 

And above all, very importantly, the eating habits acquired in this phase will influence the rest of life. 

In the fertile period, nutrition becomes a determining factor for fertility. The quality of oocytes and spermatozoa is positively modulated by a well-balanced diet, thus influencing the ability to conceive and support embryonic development. Careful food choices, enriched with key nutrients, contributes not only to embryonic implantation but also supports intestinal and liver health, aspects that are often underestimated but crucial.

But we are not just talking about trying to become pregnant. In this phase, a balanced and targeted diet is essential to maintain an optimal hormonal balance, positively influencing the menstrual cycle, the regularity of ovulation and helping to reduce menstrual pain, all factors that affect a woman's quality of life.

During pregnancy, nutrition becomes a faithful companion for the health of mother and baby. From the second trimester, the increase in caloric needs is evident, driven by fetal growth and the needs of the maternal body. The choice of nutrients such as low glycemic index carbohydrates, high quality proteins, essential fatty acids, specific vitamins and minerals plays a central role in ensuring a healthy pregnancy and preventing any complications.

In the menopause phase, characterized by hormonal changes and redistribution of body fat, nutrition can mitigate some symptoms and support cardiovascular health. Favoring low glycemic index carbohydrates, lean protein sources and healthy fats, along with attention to specific vitamins and minerals, helps maintain an optimal weight and manage the challenges of this stage of life. 

At every step of this journey through the various stages of a woman's life, awareness of the importance of nutrition is therefore the key to promoting health.

specialists

Dott.ssa La Malfa Amelia

Dr. La Malfa Amelia

Nutrition
Dott.ssa Bertolozzi Alessia

Dr. Bertolozzi Alessia

Nutrition

Frequently asked questions

FAQ

Is there a specific fertility diet?

Yes, a fertility diet exists, but it is not a one-size-fits-all protocol for all women. It's not about choosing individual foods believed to be miraculous for fertility. Rather, what is important is the personalized approach of the professional, who evaluates the person as a whole. The fertility diet focuses on:

  • Improved ovarian quality.
  • Regularization of the hormonal rhythm, positively influencing ovulation rates.
  • Adequate nourishment at the endometrial level.

Who benefits from nutritional counseling?

People facing challenges related to overweight, obesity or hormonal disorders that impact fertility can benefit greatly from nutritional counseling. An adequate and personalized diet can improve the quality of eggs and sperm, increase implantation rates and reduce risks during pregnancy.

Is the fertility diet just for women?

No, the fertility diet isn't just for women. It is important to remember that men represent half of the “coin” in the conception process. Factors such as pollution, poor nutrition, advanced age and stress can significantly reduce sperm quality. Oxidative stress, in particular, is the cause of approximately half of cases of male infertility, as it damages the DNA of spermatozoa and alters their morphology, compromising their ability to fertilize the egg. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including following a balanced diet such as the Mediterranean one, is essential for reducing oxidative stress and improving male fertility.

How does nutrition affect fertility in women with endometriosis and PCOS?

In women with endometriosis, an anti-inflammatory diet, often low in carbohydrates, can greatly increase the chances of conceiving, either naturally or through Medically Assisted Reproduction (PMA). This diet, by reducing inflammation and pain, improves the quality of life and fertility. For women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a low glycemic impact diet helps rebalance hormones, improving ovulation rhythms and the chances of conception.

Is the fertility diet only important when trying to get pregnant?

No, the fertility diet plays a crucial role not only when trying to get pregnant. In addition to improving the chances of conception, a balanced and targeted diet is essential to maintain an optimal hormonal balance, positively influencing the menstrual cycle, the regularity of ovulation and helping to reduce menstrual pain. It is essential to remember that reproductive health is the “fifth vital sign,” as important as blood pressure or breathing for overall health.

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