A Myth? Determining Baby's Gender Through Diet

You are anxious to become pregnant and would like to have a say in what sex your baby will be. There are some theories that suggest that what and how much you eat play a role in determining baby’s gender. It may be true that certain nutrients such as potassium tend to increase your chances of having a boy. However, the evidence supporting this concept is minimal if it even exists.

In a recent British study, women who ate vitamin-enriched cereal every morning before they became pregnant took in more calories than the women in the study who skipped breakfast. The study found that the women who ate more cereal tended to have more baby boys than the other women in the study. Does this mean that taking in more calories per day makes it more likely that you will have a boy? Not necessarily, but history does show that there are more boys born during times of plenty and more girls born during stressful times. This study did indicate, however, that 57% of the births were male and 43% were female.

It is not clear whether or not a mother’s weight plays a role in fetal sex selection. Is it the added calories or is it that more nutrients are introduced into the body? Studies show that males are the weaker sex and male sperm often die on their way to fertilize the female egg. Even after implantation, they are more likely to die in utero or die in the first few days of life. So, it seems pretty obvious that pre-pregnancy diet alone does not affect how strong the male or female sperm will be. What the woman eats might affect the strength of the sperm but probably has no affect at all on determining baby’s gender.

In the animal population, well-fed mothers tend to have male offspring. Proponents of diet and gender determination hint that this tendency leans towards the human population as well. Women who consume more calories tend to have more boys, but the final outcome still seems to be even – 50 percent of pregnancies turn out to be boys and 50 percent turn out to be girls.

Paying close attention to what you eat is always important and may play a minor role in what sex your baby will be. However, the studies relating to diet versus what sex your baby will be are inconclusive and not proven to be correct. Determining baby’s gender through diet is one way that certainly can be tried. Who knows? You just might get the little bundle of joy that you have been hoping for!




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