Dad’s Diet Important for Fertility says Dave Grotto, RDN

We used to think that Dad’s role in pregnancy was simple—his contribution of the X chromosome—and that his diet and lifestyle habits had little or nothing to do with the time it took to get pregnant, or in having a healthy baby. Research now shows that nothing could be further from the truth! Dad’s diet is super important and just making some simple changes can make a difference! Below is a short guest post from Dave Grotto, my favorite “guyatitian.”

 A Note to Dad “Wanna-Be’s” from Dave Grotto RDN, LDN 

Not only does it take “two to tango” but it most certainly takes two to make a baby. And not in the obvious ways that may first come to mind, but rather in the equal responsibility that guys have in the whole baby-making process–namely, keeping themselves healthy and supporting their loved one.If it's good for the heart, it's good for every other part...@DavidGrotto #FertilityProject #TTC #malefertility Click To Tweet

My favorite saying is “if it’s good for the heart, it’s good for every other part.” Though the #1 killer of both women and men is heart disease, many of those same lifestyle choices that lead to heart disease can gum up the plumbing in the rest of the body. For women we know that heart disease, infertility and PCOS are strongly associated with increased collection of belly fat. Same holds true with metabolic syndrome and diabetes and also erectile disorder in men. Sperm quality, quantity and prostate health are also impacted by poor diet and lifestyle factors that lead to increased belly fat.

Guys always want more sex but tend to do dumb things like smoking cigarettes, which cause vasoconstriction in the arteries. Translated? It’s like taking a four-lane highway and closing down three of the lanes but you still have the same amount of traffic going through. Not only is that a problem for the heart but also when you are expected to “rise” to the occasion… Wink, Wink…

Same holds true with alcoholic beverages. A drink or two every now and then to set the mood and help you relax is fine but excessive drinking most certainly can impact performance anywhere from erectile disorder, premature ejaculation and worse yet, passing out at the moment of truth! Excess alcohol negatively affects the quality and quantity of sperm produced. I also always share with guys: if they want to “get more” they better “weigh less” (if overweight). Besides, who wants a big belly to stand between a man and his woman… of course, unless it’s a woman’s pregnant belly!

Dave is a registered dietitian, dad and author of The Best Things You Can Eat and 101 Optimal Life Foods. davidgrotto.wordpress.com/