Summer celebrations and cookouts go hand and hand. Unfortunately, cookouts often include not-so-healthy foods.

When you are trying to conceive, maintaining healthy choices, while still enjoying an occasional treat, can make a difference in your fertility health. Eating foods that are rich in antioxidants (like fruits, veggies, and beans) while limiting alcohol and processed meats can have a real impact on your health and fertility journey.

Since enjoying time with family and friends can be huge in releasing the stress of fertility treatment, try these quick and easy fertility friendly recipes for major taste, while maintaining your health goals. Whether you’re hosting yourself or bringing a dish to a get-together, you know you will be eating well.

Main Dishes

Mushroom Turkey Burger
If barbeques mean burgers to you, this is a delicious swap. Not only are mushrooms great for fertility, but for your overall health in general, too! And this is a DAMN good burger!

BBQ Grilled Chicken Breasts
Enjoy the lighter side of barbecue. These tender, delicious grilled chicken breasts pack a lot of flavor. The secret is in the dry rub of spices. They can be eaten hot off the grill, or cooked ahead of time and enjoyed cold with a salad.

Plant-Based Caribbean Power Bowl
If you love Carribean food (and also love Chipotle), you’re going to absolutely love this. This plant-based main dish has flavors of jerk, cilantro, and lime. Plus it’s packed full of nutrients and protein to leave you satiated.

Sides

Let’s face it. The tastiest part of any celebration is the wonderful assortment of side dishes. But those innocent looking sides and salads can be packed with a whole lot of unhealthy ingredients. Here are a few options to swap out for your regular barbecue fare.

Greek Pasta Salad
Whole wheat pasta adds fiber, extra vitamins and minerals. Lots of fresh vegetables add even more fiber, vitamins and minerals. And a vibrant, homemade dressing adds brightness and loads of flavor without a bunch of additives, preservatives or other crazy, hard-to-pronounce ingredients.

Healthy Coleslaw
Eat the rainbow with this beautiful, vibrant coleslaw. It’s so easy and delicious, you won’t go back to store bought ever again.

Guacamole
Avocados are a wonderful fertility friendly food. They are nutrient dense with folic acid and are a good option for healthy unsaturated fat. Serve this easy-to-make dip with sliced veggies or as a delicious spread on your protein of choice.

Dessert

Red White and Blue Pops
These red white and blue popsicles are made with yogurt and fruit. A refreshing balance of protein and antioxidants on a stick! They’re the perfect summertime treat and are oh so easy to make!

Watermelon
Most cookouts feature watermelon on the dessert table for good reason. They’re delicious just as they are. Just slice into bite sized pieces and chill for a refreshing dessert. Watermelon is full of water and fiber, which means it’s hydrating and filling. But did you know watermelons are fertility friendly too? Watermelon is rich in an amino acid called L-citrulline. Like Viagra, L-citrulline increases blood flow to the sexual organs – but without any negative side effects. You’re welcome 😉

Beverages

Water is the BEST beverage for your health, whether you’re trying to conceive or not. Water is vital for healthy organ function and staying hydrated is important during the fertility process. If you’re looking for something with a little more zest try an all-natural flavor enhancer. Lemons or limes are the usual flavor of choice. But summer berries like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are great options too. If you eat the water soaked fruit when your beverage is finished, that’s an antioxidant plus!

In the mood for a little treat? Try one of these light cocktails:

Spicy Skinny Margarita
This skinny margarita recipe comes in at under 100 calories and is perfect to enjoy on a hot summer day.

Strawberry Basil Kombucha Cocktail
This drink is refreshing, easy-to-make and packed full of probiotics, too!

Need more tips? Check out How to Enjoy Summer Cookout Food While Staying Healthy

Contact Us

At GENESIS, we believe in arming our patients with the best information as they work toward their pregnancy goals. We hope these fertility friendly recipes help you enjoy your summer celebrations.