Episode 164
Infertility & IVF: What Else Can I Be Doing? (feat. Ami Chokshi)
The Salad With a Side of Fries podcast is hosted by Jenn Trepeck, discussing wellness and weight loss for real life, clearing up the myths, misinformation, bad science & marketing surrounding our nutrition knowledge and the food industry. Let’s dive into wellness and weight loss for real life, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store.
In today’s episode, we are joined by Integrative Fertility Coach, Ami Chokshi. Ami talks to us about the role that our health and lifestyle choices play in egg and sperm quality. She gives great tips about what to look for in our health and how to create optimal reproductive health. Ami breaks down what we can do in our daily lives with nutrition and sleep habits, as well as reducing stress, inflammation and more to increase our chances of successful implantation. Tune in today to learn more about changing your lifestyle to improve reproductive health.
IN THIS EPISODE:
● [5:50] Ami takes us through her history of wanting children and learning about health.
● [10:41] Ami explains egg quantity and egg quality.
● [11:48] What can women do to improve their egg quality?
● [13:17] Are there specific foods to improve egg quality?
● [14:39] What are some hormones we should pay attention to, and what things can women do to help balance those hormones?
● [17:00] What role do environmental toxins and exogenous estrogen play in hormone balance?
● [18:35] Where can we start to clean up the toxins in our environment?
● [22:09] What goes into the sperm side of the equation?
● [25:47] What can we do to improve the chances of successful implantation?
● [27:17] What markers of inflammation should someone look for, and what can they do to fix it?
● [29:31] How do we know what resources to trust regarding infertility (especially on Dr. Google)?
● [30:31] What are the best things we can do for our reproductive health?
● [33:22] How do you build a web of support during this challenging time?
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
● Managing stress impacts your sleep, digestion, and overall health, which affects your sex hormones. Insulin and cortisol have a significant impact on our sex hormones. Incorporate fiber, protein, and fat in every meal.
● Anywhere you are feeling pain, it is likely inflammation. Focus on blood sugar balance, nutrient density, quality sleep, and stress management to reduce inflammation in the body.
● It is not a moral or human failing to have challenges around fertility. You are not alone in this, and it's not your fault.
QUOTES:
“I believe fertility is a function of your overall health and when you get your overall health in order, your fertility follows.” - Ami Chokshi
“Essentially it's not one meal for me, and another meal for him. It’s everybody choosing the same things, everybody working on eliminating those toxins, everybody managing stress, you know, doing all of those pieces.” - Jenn Trepeck
“So that you have better chances of successful implantation, managing your stress is a big one, and this time a lot of women are dealing with a lot of stress, fear, uncertainty, and it's hard to not spiral into the what-ifs. So during this time, what I really recommend is, of course, all of the food-related things, but doing one thing a day that brings you joy so that you're putting some time and effort into yourself.” - Ami Chokshi
RESOURCES:
Become A Member of Salad with a Side of Fries
A Salad With a Side of Fries Instagram
GUEST RESOURCES:
Optimize Your Fertility Instagram
Optimize Your Fertility Facebook
GUEST BIO:
Ami Chokshi is an Integrative Fertility Coach. She specializes in helping her clients create a lifestyle that optimizes their health and fertility as well as guide them through the IVF process. She supports her clients to improve egg and sperm health, balance key hormones, lower inflammatory markers, build resilience and a productive mindset, and reduce the anxiety and stress around infertility and fertility treatments.
Ami’s work stems from her 3-year personal experience with infertility at the same clinic where she currently works. She is a Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach and a Functional Nutrition Coach. She lives in CT with her husband, son, and two dogs.
