The following guidelines are based on the Nourishing Traditions books, as well as the findings of Dr. Weston A. Price. Use discretion and do your own research to determine if these guidelines are for you. 

So, you’re thinking of having a baby but aren’t quite ready yet? Or maybe you’ve been trying to conceive for some time now, and are looking for some help. Regardless, this diet is both life-changing and life-giving. 

As Nourishing Traditions reminds us: “What a child becomes is determined not only by what he eats after birth, but even more importantly, by what his parents ate before conception and during pregnancy.”

Start today. Eat with purpose. Nourish the future.

This is one of a pregnancy series we are doing, so stick around in the upcoming weeks to learn about pregnancy diet, nourishing momma to nourish baby, and how to nourish your growing child. I will also be sharing my own testimony of having brought a baby into the world with these very guidelines, and the results that came from that.

The Perfect Preconception Diet: A Nourishing Traditions Approach

Preparing for pregnancy isn’t just about taking a prenatal vitamin and crossing your fingers. According to the teachings of the Weston A. Price Foundation and the Nourishing Traditions book by Sally Fallon Morell, building a healthy baby begins months before conception—with deeply nourishing, traditional foods that prepare both mother and father for the sacred task of creating life.

In cultures studied by Dr. Weston A. Price, special attention was given to the preconception diet of both parents, often including what he called “sacred foods”—rich in fat-soluble vitamins and minerals that support fertility, strong development, and lifelong health.

Here’s how to nourish your body for optimal fertility and a healthy, vibrant pregnancy:

1. Start with Nutrient Density in Mind

Your goal is to saturate your body with vitamins A, D, K2, B12, and vital minerals like zinc, magnesium, and iodine—all in their most bioavailable, food-based forms.

These nutrients build:

• Hormonal health and ovulation
  
• Strong, healthy eggs and sperm
  
• A nutrient reserve for fetal development
  
• Resilience against morning sickness and fatigue
  

2. Include These Traditional “Sacred” Foods Daily

These are not trendy health foods—these are ancient, time-honored staples:

 Grass-Fed Liver

• Nature’s multivitamin, rich in vitamins A, B12, folate, and iron.
  
• Eat 2–3 times per week, sautéed, in pâté, or hidden in ground meat.
  

 Raw, Grass-Fed Butter

• Loaded with vitamins A, D, E, and K2—vital for reproductive health.
  
• Spread generously on sourdough or melt over vegetables.
  

 Cod Liver Oil

• A concentrated source of vitamins A and D in natural balance.
  
• Fermented cod liver oil is often recommended by WAPF.
  

 Pasture-Raised Eggs

• Full of choline, healthy fats, fat-soluble vitamins, and cholesterol, which is vital to a developing boy’s testosterone levels.
  
• Eat the whole egg—yolk especially—and aim for 2+ per day.
  

Seafood (Especially Shellfish and Fish Eggs)

• Rich in iodine, zinc, DHA, and selenium—essential for fertility and brain development.
  
• Choose wild-caught, low-mercury options like sardines, wild salmon, oysters.
  

Homemade Bone Broth

• Nourishes the gut, supports joint health, provides collagen, and provides minerals in easily absorbable form.
  
• Sip daily or use in soups, stews, and grains.
  

Raw Milk and Fermented Dairy

• Offers calcium, beneficial enzymes, and fat-soluble vitamins.
  
• Fermented options (yogurt, kefir) are easier to digest and support gut health.
  

3. Avoid Modern Industrial Foods

Just as important as what you eat is what you don’t eat.

Avoid:

• Refined sugar – disrupts blood sugar and depletes minerals.
  
• Vegetable oils – highly inflammatory and oxidative.
  
• Low-fat foods – lack fat-soluble vitamins crucial for fertility.
  
• Soy products – contain phytoestrogens that can disrupt hormone balance.
  
• Processed grains – stripped of nutrients and hard on digestion.
  

4. Support Gut Health

The gut is where nutrient absorption begins—and your future baby’s immune system is influenced by yours.

Focus on:

• Raw fermented foods (sauerkraut, beet kvass, kimchi)
  
• Fermented dairy (kefir, raw yogurt)
  
• Gelatin-rich broths to heal and seal the gut lining
  

5. Mineral-Rich Hydration

Drink:

• Filtered or spring water with trace minerals or a pinch of sea salt
  
• Herbal teas like red raspberry leaf and nettle for reproductive health
  

Avoid:

• Tap water (may contain chlorine, fluoride, and endocrine disruptors)
  
• Sugary drinks and caffeine overload
  

6. Don’t Forget the Father

WAPF emphasizes that the father’s diet matters just as much. His nutrient stores will influence sperm quality and genetic expression. Encourage the same diet rich in fat-soluble vitamins, organ meats, seafood, and traditional fats.

7. Give It Time—Ideally 6 to 12 Months

Preconception preparation isn’t a quick fix. Think of it as rebuilding your body’s nutrient stores before giving them away to grow a baby. A minimum of 3 months is ideal, but 6–12 months is even better, especially if there are health issues to address.

Remember to be patient with yourself and your body, These things take time.

Final Thoughts

In a world of prenatal pills and fast fixes, returning to the wisdom of traditional diets may feel radical—but it’s deeply empowering. By honoring your body with whole, ancestral foods, you’re creating the most fertile soil possible for new life to grow.

As a reminder, always do your own research and find what best works for you and your health journey. 

Next week we will be discussing your diet during pregnancy, so stay tuned! 

Check out our Pregnancy category on the shop page for recommended supplements to help you on your way.

Written by: Katelyn