
Women trying to conceive through the IVF process often research a lot about the changes they
can incorporate into their lifestyle to increase the chances of IVF success. Although many
factors are out of control, diet and lifestyle changes can still make a difference in reproductive
health.
A balanced diet and healthy eating habits don’t guarantee 100% success but increase the odds
generally agreed upon among fertility experts.
A good diet may also help deal with weight gain or weight loss issues optimizing your body for
pregnancy.
Consult or visit the best IVF Center or book your online appointment for a confidential one-on-
one conversation to clarify your related questions and problems and get the best advice for all
your infertility treatment-related doubts.
Connecting Point Between Diet and IVF Success:
There’s a strong relationship between the health of your body and the health of your eggs,
making diet changes even more important during the IVF process.
The bodyweight of women impacts fertility directly. Being overweight and underweight can
hamper IVF treatment success by restricting the desired nutritional supply to the organs.
Moreover, the IVF procedure is related to a good mood. We often have heard the phrase-
“Good Food=Good Mood” directly applicable in the IVF treatment case. IVF is a mentally and
physically exhausting procedure, and a good diet can stimulate a positive mood, helping with
better and fast results.
Opting for an anti-inflammatory diet can also help improve the IVF Success rate, supporting the
fertility goals of couples.
Top Nutrition Tips to Prepare your Body for IVF Treatment:
Diet Changes during IVF treatment are luckily not prescriptive, but this is a crucial time when
you must focus on the eating habits to feel best during the new parenthood journey. We have
listed fertility experts’ best four nutrition tips that you must incorporate into your health
routine, helping store nutrients to prepare your body for pregnancy.
1. Switching Refined Carbohydrates with Whole Grains:
Carbohydrates are polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats that decrease inflammation.
Avoiding carbs altogether leads to infertility issues. Instead of suddenly leaving all the treats
and junk to lower the GI levels, merely replacing carbohydrates with whole grains may work.
Whole Grains help reduce your body’s insulin levels that further control the fat storage in our
bodies. This decreases diabetes and heart disease risks by lowering cholesterol levels.
2. Increasing Protein Intake:
Protein plays an important role in the new hormone production, and the type of protein we
hold is an essential aspect of fertility. It is recommended to switch 25 gms of animal protein
with 25 gms of plant or vegetable protein found in legumes, nuts, and other sources.
Dairy foods are also a great protein source, rich in vitamin B12, magnesium, calcium, and other
nutrients. If you plan for the IVF treatment, you must include three portions of dairy food in
your daily meals, starting with milk in breakfast, yogurt in lunch, and cottage cheese in snacks.
3. Keeping Up the Folate:
Folate is one of the scientifically proven and approved nutrients for healthy conception.
Doctors usually recommend 0.5mg of folic acid in your daily routine for at least three months
before pregnancy and after three months of getting pregnant.
Along with folate supplements, aspiring mothers can also increase the intake of leafy
vegetables to increase the supply of folate from natural sources. This helps reduce the risks of
spina bifida (neural tube defects) in babies.
4. Embrace Good Fats:
There are two types of fats, healthy and saturated fat. Saturated fat and trans-fat are usually
found in processed food, fatty meats, and takeaways. These further increase inflammation
chances, increasing the risks and chances of infertility.
Swap trans-fat with good fats to boost your energy, a nutritious way to kick start the day.
Food Not Recommended During the IVF Treatment:
Some foods are strictly not allowed to be consumed during the IVF treatment. These includes:
● Processed Food:
Processed food interferes with the treatment results and is loaded with preservatives and more
hormonal residue. Doctors usually advise staying away from them during the IVF phase.
● Alcohol:
Increased alcohol consumption may reduce fertility and hamper the overall treatment results.
● Smoking:
Smoking is also known to impact fertility, and fertility experts usually advise quitting the same
before planning for the treatment.
● Artificial Sweeteners:
Artificial sweeteners are known to degrade health and are not advised to consume during the
IVF treatment.
● Raw Eggs:
Raw eggs have a salmonella virus that may cause food poisoning. Therefore, it is recommended
to consume cooked eggs instead of raw ones.
Food Recommended During the IVF Treatment:
1. Iron-Rich Food:
Oysters, pumpkin seeds, and spinach are a rich source of iron that helps the baby’s healthy
growth. Iron deficiency may cause anemia, resulting in premature deliveries and consequences
during the journey.
2. Zinc-Rich Food:
Zinc helps regulate the hormones in the body and must be included in your daily diet. Nuts,
dairy products, grains, and potatoes are great sources of zinc.
3. Protein-Rich Food:
Protein is associated with multiple benefits, and increasing 1gm of protein intake before IVF
treatment may increase the success rates of the same. Some high-protein food includes fish,
lean chicken, tofu, seeds, milk, broccoli, spinach, etc.
4. Folic Acid Food:
Folic acid, as already discussed, helps reduce the chances of spina bifida, leading to the healthy
development of the baby’s spinal cord and brain. Folate