X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping

Eat THIS fruit if you want to conceive a baby boy!

4 min read
Eat THIS fruit if you want to conceive a baby boy!Eat THIS fruit if you want to conceive a baby boy!

The shape of this fruit might be a giveaway, but it's full of a particular nutrient that can influence the gender of your baby. Intrigued?

We've all heard of old wive's tales related to eating certain foods in order to influence the gender of your baby.

Now, science has proved that there just might be some truth in these stories.

The study

Scientists at the UK's Exeter and Oxford universities based their research on the eating habits of 740 first-time pregnant British mums.

Data related to these women's nutritional intake was collected for the following key periods: preconception, early pregnancy and late pregnancy.

The study was published in The Royal Society. 

Reportedly, the findings seem to confirm certain traditional beliefs related to diet and gender, while disproving others.

Fiona Mathews, who is lead researcher on the study, had this to say: "We were able to confirm the old wives' tale that eating bananas and so having a high potassium intake was associated with having a boy, as was a high sodium intake".

"For the first time, we've shown there is a clear association between a mother's diet and the gender of her infant," she elaborated. "The mother seems to be able to influence the survival of either the sperm or the fertilised egg in its very early stages, probably before it has even implanted in the womb."

High energy intake = high energy little people?

It's not just bananas that assist with the conception of little boys. Researchers of this study also found that 56% of the women in the study sample with the highest energy intake around the period of conception, had boys.

In other words, "a higher calorie intake prior to conception can increase the chances of having a son from ten to 11 boys in every 20 births."

This was in comparison to just 45% of women with the lowest energy intake.

To break it down further:

  • Average calorie intake for mums of sons: 2,413
  • Average calorie intake for mums of daughters: 2,283

Other than the potassium found heavily in bananas, women who had sons also had consumed a higher quantity and larger range of nutrients, such as vitamins C, E and B12, as well as calcium around the time of conception.

Another addition to the diets of mums of boys when they were trying to get pregnant were breakfast cereals (hint: if you want a baby boy, add chopped bananas to your morning cereal!).

In contrast, women with more restricted diets were likely to have daughters.

Mathews told New Scientist magazine that the study identified this simple dietary 'trick' that could influence the chances of a having a little boy:

"If you want a boy, eat a healthy diet with a high calorie intake, including breakfast."

Sensible eating in pregnancy

Ladies, do keep in mind that all health professionals - including the scientists who led this study - do not recommend that you drastically change your diet with the hope of influencing the gender of your baby. For example, eating too much sodium or drastically changing the levels of other important nutrients could be detrimental to your health.

As Mathews says, "If you're looking for a boy, then eating breakfast cereal every day and within safe limits, having a reasonable intake of sodium, potassium and calcium, plus a good intake of protein looks like a sensible option. It's the converse of that if you're hoping for a girl, but again, only within safe limits."

Republished with permission from: theAsianParent Singapore

Be sure to check out theAsianparent Community for more insightful stories, questions, and answers from parents and experts alike. If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!

Partner Stories
Drinking Milk During Pregnancy: Is It Really Necessary?
Drinking Milk During Pregnancy: Is It Really Necessary?
Meals and Snacks Perfect for the Third Trimester
Meals and Snacks Perfect for the Third Trimester
Mommy Meals: A Comprehensive Meal Plan for a Healthy Pregnancy
Mommy Meals: A Comprehensive Meal Plan for a Healthy Pregnancy
Weird pregnancy cravings that you must know
Weird pregnancy cravings that you must know

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

ddc-calendar
Get ready for the baby’s arrival by adding your due date.
OR
Calculate your due date
img
Written by

Nalika Unantenne

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Trying to Conceive
  • /
  • Eat THIS fruit if you want to conceive a baby boy!
Share:
  • All about the placenta and its important role in pregnancy

    All about the placenta and its important role in pregnancy

  • Embryo vs fetus vs baby: What's the difference and at which stage is your pregnancy in?

    Embryo vs fetus vs baby: What's the difference and at which stage is your pregnancy in?

  • Placental abruption: Causes, symptoms and its effect on your baby if untreated

    Placental abruption: Causes, symptoms and its effect on your baby if untreated

app info
get app banner
  • All about the placenta and its important role in pregnancy

    All about the placenta and its important role in pregnancy

  • Embryo vs fetus vs baby: What's the difference and at which stage is your pregnancy in?

    Embryo vs fetus vs baby: What's the difference and at which stage is your pregnancy in?

  • Placental abruption: Causes, symptoms and its effect on your baby if untreated

    Placental abruption: Causes, symptoms and its effect on your baby if untreated

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2022. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    theAsianparent heart icon
    Nais naming magpadala ng notification sa'yo tungkol sa latest news at update sa pagbubuntis.