Infertility Support Group

I would also like to know the answer to this. I’ve been drinking caffeine. I stopped using artificial sweeteners after my trip to Italy 3 months ago (except for the occasional Diet Coke). Their eating habits really made me think about the way Americans eat. There was no artificial sweeteners on the tables. They ate foods that we would normally think of as being “bad” (cream, real butter, bread, etc.) but there was minimal processed or junk food and they seemed to be in much better shape. Plus, I don’t think they associate food with guilt the way we do. I’m trying to eat more naturally. I don’t know if it will help with fertility, but it can’t hurt!

I was told by my RE to limit caffeine intake to 12 oz a day. With respect to artificial sweeteners I am told that there have been studies that show you should cut them out of your diet and it will increase fertility. I just finished a mind/body program for infertility and my leader said that you should follow a natural diet (mediterranean diet) to increase your chances.

To add to the discussion...
Their are several studies that have linked miscarriage & caffeine. I have got it down to only 2 cups of 1/4 caffeinated coffee. Ok and an occasional iced tea when out to lunch. My next challenge is the sodas. I cut out the caffeinated variety but the root beer, ginger ale, sprite … One vice at a time I guess!
I agree that anything we can do to be ‘healthier,’ even if it doesn’t change the fertility issues, can be a benefit to our overall health! More exercise, less sugar, no caffeine, fewer processed foods, less stress, … Gee, I should be like amazingly healthy by now!

To add to the discussion...
Their are several studies that have linked miscarriage & caffeine. I have got it down to only 2 cups of 1/4 caffeinated coffee. Ok and an occasional iced tea when out to lunch. My next challenge is the sodas. I cut out the caffeinated variety but the root beer, ginger ale, sprite … One vice at a time I guess!
I agree that anything we can do to be ‘healthier,’ even if it doesn’t change the fertility issues, can be a benefit to our overall health! More exercise, less sugar, no caffeine, fewer processed foods, less stress, … Gee, I should be like amazingly healthy by now!

I cut caffeine completely out of my diet once I started down the IUI route, I decided it just wasn't worth it for me. My doctor did say I could have one cup of coffee a day if I needed it.

I am not sure on the artificial sweetner piece, but I imagine if you can go without it you should. I have limited myself to 2 caffeine free diet drinks a day.. I should probably go down to none.

Good luck!

Hi-
Great comments so far. My doctor talked to me about diet soda (artificial sweetners)raising people's blood sugar. Can be 5 times as much as rel sugar, which no one wants, little less those of us trying to concieve.
I stopped all soda 6 months ago. I was a Diet Pepsi lover. I craved it for 2 + months. Now, I do miss it, but have gotten used to not having it. Can't say I have felt any differently physically, but I fiure it is helping me stay healthier. Best of luck to you.

I asked my doctor if caffeine and alcohol were ok while I'm on stims. He said to limit my caffeine, but that it wouldn't hurt to have 1 caffeinated drink a day and that if I wanted to have a glass of wine that would be fine too. He said “If it were a problem, we wouldn’t have any Europeans”...made me laugh.