Aside from being great to boost libido – thanks to the high content of zinc – oysters are super important for conception. A woman’s menstrual cycle can be irregular and the production of good eggs slower, plus it’s essential for super sperm health.
Per Serving Size (100 grams)
Oysters 16-182 mg
Dark Chocolate 9.6 mg
Pumpkin Seeds 7.81 mg
Mushrooms 7.66 mg
Flax seeds 5 mg
Egg yolk 4.93 mg
Kidney beans 2.79 mg
Another source of zinc is from pepitas.
During pregnancy, and childhood, the body needs more zinc for proper development and growth.
Zinc is a mighty important mineral, so the fact that over 80% of Australians are deficient in this mineral (the figure is higher for men), is a reason for concern.
Men (11mg). women (8mg), pregnant women (11mg), breastfeeding women (12mg)
ROASTED PEPITAS (Recipe)
2 cups raw pepitas
2 tsp olive oil
1 tsp sea salt
Or for ‘Spicy Pepitas’ add 1 tsp cayenne pepper; for ‘Sweet and Salty Pepitas’ add 1 tbsp coconut palm sugar; and for ‘Pumpkin Pie Spice Roasted Pepitas’ (below) –
1 cup raw pepitas
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
Preheat oven to 170oC. Line an oven tray with baking paper. In a bowl, mix all the ingredients together. Spread the pepitas onto the baking paper and bake for about 10-15 minutes, shaking the pepitas half way through. Cool, then store in a glass jar in the pantry. They should stay fresh a week or two. Use them as a snack or add to roast veggies, salads, to garnish soups, cracked and curry or sprinkle in your wraps.
