nutrition Archives - Natural Family Planning | Fertility Awareness

Cooling Foods that Supplement Hormone Balance

This fall the heat has lingered in many places. So we have a second summer with backyard barbecues, and outdoor fun. Hotter temps can also bring dehydration, inflammation, fatigue, and blood sugar fluctuations. Thankfully, summer offers plenty of refreshing foods that naturally support hydration and reproductive wellness. Proper hydration boosts cervical mucus production, energy levels,…

Family-Friendly Nutrition: A Guide to Feeding Kids Well

Raise your hand if you struggle with mealtime and figuring out how to feed your kids well. I see you! The goal here is to take some of the guesswork and stress out of feeding your kids with some simple guidelines, helpful tips, and age-appropriate portion sizes. Let’s focus on the good over the perfect.…

What’s Trending in Food and Fertility?

In recent years, there has been a rising interest in fertility nutrition. Increased research in the field has linked diet quality – for both men and women – with healthy fertility. Fertility-focused recipes and “functional foods” have been in higher demand. Let’s explore both the evidence-based dietary guidance for fertility and popular food trends people…

Blessed and Belonging: The Family Meal

In today’s fast-paced world, the tradition of sharing the family meal is frequently overlooked. However, for Catholics, coming together at the table goes beyond nourishment – it mirrors God’s design for family life, community, and the Eucharist. Because the Church teaches that the family is the “domestic Church,” the family meal then becomes a continuation…

Postpartum Care for Mom

Life changes profoundly during postpartum after the new baby arrives! The entire family dynamic is reshuffled. If it is the first child, the husband and wife become parents. A single child becomes a big brother or sister. The current baby becomes an older sibling. Schedules change; sleep patterns are disrupted; visitors come and go. The…

Seasons of Togetherness

“Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart…” [Acts 2:46] I wanted to open with this verse from the Acts of the Apostles because it illustrates how the first apostles, as a family of…

From Farm Stand to Your Family Table

Picture a bustling farmer’s market on a sunny summer afternoon – stands full of seasonal produce, conversations with farmers, and people strolling through the street carrying totes with ingredients for that upcoming week’s meals. All thanks to your local farm. There are many reasons to frequent the farmer’s market in your town. In addition to fruits…

Pirates, Cod Liver Oil and Chewables

Typically, my wife Jen is in charge of our family’s nutritional health. Technically, I can produce or procure food and keep children alive when she is unavailable but grilling and DoorDash isn’t a sustainable lifestyle. I balance this with consistency in vitamin consumption and management. My personal strategy began when I discovered that the Recommended…

Healthy Nutrition and Fertility for Men

It’s common to think of fertility as primarily a woman’s issue, but men have a key role in the overall reproductive health of a couple. There are many factors that contribute to male reproductive health, including environment, nutrition, and physical activity. We’ll largely focus on the nutrition component in this article. Fueling our bodies with…

A Legacy of Fertility, Cycles and Nutrition

For Rosemary Shannon Imrick experiencing childhood on a homestead outside of Fort Wayne, Indiana was idyllic. She and her eight siblings were loyal friends. From gardening to scientific research, her mom and dad empowered them to follow their interests. They taught them they could do whatever they put their minds to. Through regular work and…