Fertility Foods? William and Kate's Honeymoon Food Requests

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Kate and William's strange food choices during their honeymoon has led to even more baby-making speculation.

The Scoop

They ate what? As US Magazine reports, William and Kate (aka the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) could have ordered just about anything to eat and drink during their super-deluxe Seychelles honeymoon—so why did they have their private villa stocked with the rather odd combination of cream cheese and Brussels sprouts?

If all those "we can't wait to have a baby" rumors we've been hearing are true, this menu choice could be more than a case of quirky taste buds. For couples trying to conceive, Brussels sprouts are a great dietary source for folic acid, the fertility-boosting nutrient that assists with healthy sperm production in men and egg maturation in women (folic acid remains important during pregnancy as a way to reduce certain birth defects). Brussels sprouts, like broccoli, cabbage, and other cruciferous vegetable, also contain indole-3 carbinol (I3C), a natural compound that some natural health experts believe helps to balance the body's estrogen levels and gives fertility a lift, especially when women struggle with fibroids, endometriosis, and other conditions related to too much estrogen.

As for the cream cheese, the creamier the better for a couple trying to conceive. As a study of over 18,000 women found consumption of low-fat and skim-milk products, including cheese, resulted in decreased fertility in women, while consumption of full-fat dairy products increased fertility. As researchers explain, when milk is skimmed, estrogens are removed along with the fat, leaving behind only male hormones. Eating dairy products made from skim or reduced-fat milk (and getting too many unbalanced androgens) could disrupt female fertility.

Your Fertility

What else should you be eating? A balanced diet is key, but it can't hurt—and may even help—to sample some healthy foods known for their fertility-boosting powers. Why not start with shellfish? Just one tiny oyster is an incredibly rich source for zinc, a nutrient that aids in testosterone production in men and helps maintain healthy cell division in the earliest stages of pregnancy. Or check out chicken—the low-protein source is also a good source for B3, another vitamin that assists in sex hormone production. Going nuts trying to have a baby? Then eat nuts. Brazil nuts and almonds, in particular, contain nutrients that may help you crunch your way to conception.

As for Kate and William, we don't know what they are having for dinner tonight, but we're sure there will be much more news about what's on the menu for everyone's favorite royal couple.