International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Women who are trying to conceive should try and eat a "rainbow" of foods and avoid processed fats, it has been suggested.

Yvonne Bishop-Weston, nutritionist for UK-based First Response and Foods for Life, said women should steer clear of foods with lots of empty calories and few useful nutrients.

In addition, she noted that foods containing large amounts of hydrogenated fat can hinder a body's ability to process "essential fats".

Those found in oily fish and omega-3 eggs are more likely to help the body prepare for conception, Ms Bishop-Weston suggested.

She also advised eating a wide range of fruit and vegetables, noting that "each different colour of fruit and veg carries a different nutrient".

"Rather than calculating if you have had all your fertility nutrients, simply choose a range of purples, reds, oranges, yellows and greens," she added

"The chances of conception seem to dramatically increase when alcohol and coffee are avoided so keep these to a minimum or even better try the alternatives."

In the UK, the total fertility rate has risen in each of the last seven years, reaching average of 1.97 children per woman in 2008, compared to 1.63 in 2001.

Posted by Alexandra George