Does a Mom's Pre-Conception Diet Determine Baby Gender?

Many parents try all that they can to increase their chances of having either a boy or a girl. Two recent studies have shown that there may be a link between baby gender and the diet that is followed prior to conception. Here's what women who are trying to conceive either a boy or a girl should know about the role that diet may play in gender selection.

Daily Calorie Intake and Baby Gender

Research has shown that women who follow a diet that is higher in calories are more likely to have boys, according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. The study, which was done by researchers at the University of Missouri, also found that women who consumed higher levels of fat were more likely to conceive boys.

Women who skipped breakfast were more likely to have girls, whereas women who consumed a bowl of cereal for breakfast every morning were more likely to have boys. This likely has to do with blood sugar levels. According to the BlueCross BlueShield Association, male embryos are less likely to thrive in lab cultures with low sugar levels. Eating breakfast raises glucose levels, making it easier for male embryos to survive.

Nutrients Linked to Male and Female Babies

One study found that women who consumed more bananas were more likely to give birth to boys, according to the BlueCross BlueShield Association. The potassium in bananas is responsible for these findings, so other potassium-rich foods, such as potatoes, have also been linked to the conception of a male baby. Sodium-rich foods are also thought to increase a woman's chances of having a baby boy, but no evidence supports this theory.

Another study found that women who consumed foods that were rich in calcium and magnesium had an 81% chance of conceiving a girl, according to Reproductive BioMedicine Online. The women who participated in this study did not eat potassium or sodium since both are thought to be linked to conceiving boys. However, it is important to note that the women who participated in this study were also instructed to have sexual intercourse prior to ovulation, as this is thought to increase the chances of having a girl. The combination of diet and timing of intercourse is believed to be responsible for the high instances of girls that were conceived during this study.

While these studies have shown a correlation between diet during conception and baby gender, more research is needed for the link to be confirmed. These studies are also highly controversial, as some do not believe that a woman's diet during conception matters because the man's sperm determines the second X or Y chromosome. However, it is thought that certain nutrients make it easier for female or male embryos to develop. Before making significant changes to your diet, be sure to talk to your doctor.

Sources:
BlueCross BlueShield Association
International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Reproductive BioMedicine Online