IVF Diet Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid During Treatment

Before starting with the IVF Diet you need to know this; there is no proven result of what you eat helps you infertility treatment however what you eat has a relation with your health and that affects the healthy egg or sperm. And to get a healthy pregnancy, it is very important that sperm and eggs should be healthy which does not have a direct connection with your food intake but yes it does has a connection with the type of food we consume.

Once you have decided to go for the IVF treatment, start monitoring your diet. It is seen that obesity or too low body weight affects fertility adversely and reduces the success rate of IVF. So, starting with an excellent diet will be a great option to fight these issues. Paying attention to your diet and essential nutrients will help your body to carry pregnancy easily. The IVF processis emotionally and physically demanding, so a good diet is also a way to boost up your mood and be relaxed by the medium of food. Enjoy your food to the fullest and along with getting its benefits, you will be stress-free.

Preparing a List of Healthy Balanced Diet Food

Everyone has a different body type so no diet is perfect for the same group of people. But getting a diet plan is not a bad idea. The diet plan will include food based on the researches through which we know which food is good and what to avoid during IVF treatment.

Healthy eating is a means of getting the desired amount of macros for your body every day. So list down the things by making two lists: what to eat and what not to eat and put it somewhere in front of you as a reminder. Along with having healthy and balanced diet meals, it is also important to track your calories. So you can use a mobile application to track your calories. Tracking your nutrition will definitely allow you to see what is working and what is not working for you and meanwhile, you can make changes to your diet, and bring out the best diet for IVF success for yourself.

Types of Food to Eat During IVF Treatment

By understanding your food, you will have a better chance of Pregnancy IVF success as food has an indirect relation with the process and the right choice of food will help your body to respond in a better way. Although your doctor will not provide you the list of the food you should take, it is necessary to understand the process. There are certain nutrients which are essential for the IVF treatment to be a success.

Food rich in zinc

If your hormones that are responsible for the regulation of the reproduction process in the body are at an appropriate level, it will affect the entire process in an effective way. Any kind of hormonal imbalance will cause an unpredictable functioning of the ovaries or eggs. Zinc helps in balancing the hormone level. Therefore, meeting the daily requirement of zinc which is 15 mg will work to benefit you. You can also rely on zinc supplements but natural ways of consuming nutrients are considered better. Include grains, nuts, dairy products, meat items, and potatoes which are rich in zinc.

Folic acid in food

A pregnancy superhero! Yes, you heard it right, folic acid is considered a superhero for your pregnancy. Folic acid along with certain parental vitamins helps in the healthy development of a child’s brain and spinal cord. Generally, birth defects occur in the first 3-4 weeks of pregnancy due to lack of certain nutrients in the body required for the development of a child. So, you can store the amount of folate in your body to ensure proper brain and spinal cord development. Below is the list of how much folic acid you should consume on a daily basis while you are planning a baby:

• When you plan and try to conceive: 400 mcg
• In the first 3 months of pregnancy: 400 mcg
• In the 4th-9th month of pregnancy: 600 mcg

Iron-rich food

Boost up the iron storage of your body, as having an iron deficiency or anemia can cause your baby to be born too early or too small. Every month during menstruation, women lose iron and due to lack of a healthy diet, many of them suffer from iron deficiency. Iron in the body is related to ovulation and good health of eggs; Deficiency of iron leads to poor egg health.

Ensure adding iron-rich food in your diet like Pumpkin seeds, oysters and spinach. For vegetarian people, you can add iron supplements in your diet but after consulting your doctor.

Healthy fats

If fats are consumed in moderation, it is actually beneficial for your body. But trans-saturated fats which are present in junk foods should be avoided at any cost. Consuming fats from walnuts, olive oil, corn, chia seeds, and flaxseed oil are healthy fatty acids and are unsaturated fats that are recommended because these help in the formation of healthy eggs in your body. These fats will work as energy storage in your body which you might need in the journey of IVF treatment and after a successful pregnancy.

Protein-rich food

Appropriate presence of protein in your body affects the development of eggs in the ovaries. Protein is highly recommended in the process of getting pregnant as it helps in the development of the body and provides instant energy to the body. It is necessary to include 60 grams of protein in your diet on a daily basis. Eggs, meat, and dairy products are great sources of protein.

Hydration for the body

With today’s lifestyle, drinking enough water required for your body has become a task. We forget to drink water and our body has to suffer because of that. The optimal level of water in our body is connected to maintaining a good balance between different elements of the body. Water supports circulation also. So, make it a ritual to drink the required amount of water every day; neither less nor more, just the perfect amount needed by your body.

Now after getting an overview of food that increases fertility, let us have a glance at food items that you need to include and avoid during this process. Keep your health at its best to increase the success rate of the IVF.

Foods to Eat During IVF Treatment

• Green Leafy Vegetables

  Green leafy vegetable is on the top because these are fertility boosting food. As these are rich in antioxidants, folic acid, and iron, they should a be part of your daily food intake.

• Cabbage

  Loaded with essential vitamin and minerals, the Di-indole methane present in cabbage helps in regulating estrogen metabolism.

• Broccoli

  As broccoli is rich in Vitamin C, it assists in maturing the eggs. Along with that rich iron content, anti-oxidants, and folic acid helps in the proper development of your body and fetus.

• Potatoes

  Potatoes helps to increase the cell division in the body. Regular consumption of potatoes provides essential vitamins like B and E to your body.

• Banana

  Loaded with vitamin B6, this superfood helps in regulating menstruation cycles. You can consider this fruit as a healthy snack option because it provides you with versatile options.

• Pineapple

  Pineapple contains a good amount of manganese in it. Manganese is known as a reproductive mineral and so it helps in boosting the reproductive hormones.

• Salmon

  Rich content of Omega-3 fatty acids makes this food an essential intake because it can help in Oestrogen balance and also increase blood flow. It should be properly cooked

• Complex Carbs

  Complex carbs are great for regulating blood sugar level. It will also help you in maintaining a healthy weight.

• Colorful Fruits and Vegetables

  Colors in fruits and vegetable has its own significance. They are loaded with essential nutrients.

Foods to Avoid During the Treatment

• Eggs in raw form

  Raw form of eggs are used in many food products like mayonnaise, biscuit cream, and salad dressing. But there is a virus named salmonella virus which is present in raw eggs which can cause food poisoning. Hence, it is recommended to avoid consuming eggs in raw form. Cook it well before you eat.

• Artificial sweeteners

  Avoid consuming food that comes with artificial sweeteners. It is bad for your health in the normal state also. Saccharin based sweeteners reduce the success rate of IVF. Instead, you can use sucralose-based sweeteners or any natural sweetening syrup.

• Refined sugars

  Food containing refined sugar makes you feel happy for some time but pressurize the liver to produce more insulin quickly to balance the sugar level. This pressure over the organs of the body begins to affect the fertility process.

• Seafood

  Seafood is a good source of protein and essential fatty acid but consuming raw or half-cooked seafood causes infection. Also, seafood is rich in mercury content which causes issues with the development of the fetus and result in birth defects.

• Alcohol

  Alcohol is the major cause of erratic ovulation in women. It does not only affect the health of eggs but is also responsible for the fetus impairment.

• Caffeine

  Limit the amount of coffee and tea when you are going under the process of IVF.

• Cheese

  Not all cheese but specific types of cheese should be avoided. Few varieties of cheese contain bacteria known for causing infection.