During the IVF process it is especially important to eat a healthy diet to maximise your chances of a successful conception. Of course, if your body is in optimal health and receiving the correct nutrients, you will be more likely to be able to support pregnancy. 

Multiple studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet is ideal for balance and wellness. However, everyone is different and may have specific requirements — so we recommend speaking to a healthcare professional to make sure this is what is right for you. But below are some general guidelines to try to follow. 

1. Protein choice 

• Opt for leaner protein choices such as chicken 

• Fish is a good protein choice, particularly fatty fish such as salmon, as these have Omega-3 fatty acids, which are brilliant for your health

• Reduce red meat intake and processed meats, as these often have higher sodium levels

2. Healthy fats 

• Use healthy fats such as olive oil while cooking
• Add healthy fats to each of your meals for example:
  • Breakfast — add nuts or seeds
  • Lunch — add avocado or make guacamole to have with your meals or even as a snack
  • Dinner — Have fatty fish such as salmon for dinner 

3. Increase fibre intake

• Increasing your fibre intake is a great way improve your health and wellness
• Such as through beans, lentils, chickpeas 
• Fibre is great for your gut and digestion. The gut is key to so many vital health functions, so improving gut health is really important

4. Eat the rainbow 

• You have heard many times how eating lots of fruit and vegetables is great for your health — but eating a range of different colours is another key tip
• Different colours require different nutrients for their production, therefore by eating lots of different colours, you are making sure that you get a variety of different nutrients
• A couple suggestions for each colour are:
  • Red — tomatoes, apples
  • Orange — butternut squash, pumpkin
  • Yellow — sweetcorn, bananas, mango
  • Green — kale, spinach, asparagus, kiwi
  • Blue — blueberries 
  • Purple — red cabbage, grapes

5. Spices 

• Adding particular spices to your meals is a brilliant way not just to add flavour, but to get your nutrients in
• Some great options are:
  • Ginger — is really high in anti-oxidants
  • Cinnamon — good for blood sugar balance 
  • Turmeric — great for detoxification
  • Nettles — are full of micronutrients 

We hope these tips are helpful, and if you would like more specific advice then look at our IVF Package which includes:

• individualised results 
• advice from an expert
• free 1:1 consultation 
• bespoke plan tailored to your needs, goals, concerns & results 
• nutritional advice, recipes 
• screening of your entire vaginal microbiome
• at home blood test for health markers impacting facility

Jessica Hobbis

See also  Endometriosis & Fertility - 4 tips to help!