Controversial Things I Did That Completely Changed the Game for My Fertility

In 2024 when I felt I was doing everything right but was still struggling to conceive, I decided to reassess my diet and lifestyle and made a few adjustments. These were simple tweaks and changes for me although they may seem controversial. Ultimately it was about meeting myself where I was at in life as a 41 year old busy mum. What I had been doing the first time around when trying to conceive in my late 30’s no longer served me because life looked very different now and I was struggling with secondary infertility. 

What ultimately changed everything wasn’t one single supplement, rigid protocol, or Instagram trend. It was slowing down, listening deeply to my body, and being willing to question narratives that never quite sat right for me.

Below are some of the most controversial shifts I made - the ones that raised eyebrows, invited opinions, and ultimately helped me feel more regulated, nourished, and hormonally supported than I had in years.

🍷 I Quit Alcohol - Completely

I didn’t just “cut back” or drink “occasionally.” I stopped altogether.

And honestly? The impact surprised me.

✅ My sleep improved

✅ My anxiety softened

✅ My energy stabilised

✅ My workouts felt better

✅ My recovery improved

✅ My hormones felt calmer.

But perhaps the biggest shift was internal - I got to know myself without alcohol. That alone was deeply regulating for my nervous system. 

🥩 I Ate More Red Meat

This one really challenged the messaging I had absorbed where the Mediterranean diet limits red meat to less than two portions per week.

Instead of limiting red meat, I leaned into it,  intentionally and thoughtfully, to support my fertility.

Red meat became a reliable source of:

• Iron

• Zinc

• Vitamin B6 & B12

• Choline

• Complete amino acids

Nutrients my body had clearly been asking for.

🍞 I Reduced Refined Carbohydrates (Without Going Low‑Carb)

I didn’t eliminate carbs completely - I considered which ones I was eating.

I reduced foods like:

• Bread

• Flour

• Pasta

• Non‑GF refined grains

And prioritised whole‑food carbohydrates instead:

• Quinoa

• Brown rice

• Pulses

• Root vegetables like sweet potato or potato

This helped stabilise my blood sugar, reduce inflammation, lower my HbA1c, and support steadier energy - without restriction.

🍗 I Increased Animal‑Based Nutrition

I leaned into deeply nourishing foods that my body responded beautifully to:

• Bone broth

• Beef protein

• Liver

• Egg yolks

• Butter & cheese

• Lactose‑free dairy (for me as I am Lactose intolerant)

• Less‑lean cuts of meat

This wasn’t about extremes, it was about nutrient density.

🙌 I Reduced My Toxic Load (Realistically)

I stopped aiming for perfection and focused on what was actually doable.

I reduced exposure to pesticides and plastics where I could, and prioritised organic foods - especially at home.

Yes, organic can be expensive. For me, food became a conscious investment, I chose to spend less on things like clothes, makeup, and beauty treatments, and more on nourishment.

My favourite places to buy organic include Waitrose, Ocado and for a special treat Daylesford.

🏋️‍♂️ I Lost Weight & Body Fat - Gently

My body fat percentage was higher than I realised when I started weight training in January 2025.

I addressed this slowly and sustainably, without punishment or restriction, and without giving up the occasional sweet treat or my daily chocolate.

As my metabolic health improved, so did my hormonal response.

☕️ I Cut Back on Caffeine (A Lot)

This one was such a big change for me! Back in 2021/2022 I would usually have two coffees a day and now it's probably two per week. Instead, I have an occasional matcha latte or cacao and usually with 10g of collagen for extra protein.

The result?

• Calmer stress hormones

• Better sleep

• More consistent energy

My nervous system finally got a breather.

❌ I Avoided Folic Acid

Instead of blindly supplementing, I tested my methylation and this was so insightful!

I learned that my body didn’t utilise synthetic folic acid well, so I chose active forms of folate (5‑MTHF) that my body could actually use. 

This shift alone changed how I approached supplementation altogether.

🫶 I Let Go of Self‑Blame

This may have been the most important shift of all. By the end of 2024 I really started to believe that there was a deep rooted reason outside of my control that I was struggling to conceive - stress, negative energy or my busy life as a mum and business owner. But all it did was lead to self-blame, that it was my fault this was happening to us. 

I stopped believing this narrative and instead, I focused on joy, expansion, fun, and living again.

I stopped shrinking my life in the name of “healing.”

🌟 The Takeaway

What changed everything wasn’t one magic fix.

It was listening to my body, questioning old habits or assumptions, and testing instead of guessing.

And choosing a life - and a way of eating - that felt nourishing, supportive, and right for me in 2025.

Not restrictive, fear‑based, or performative, just deeply aligned with what I now needed.