What to Eat more of (And Eat less of) During Your IVF Cycle

When it comes to the world of alternative family planning, no two journeys look the same, but almost all of them deal with IVF at some point or another. There are a lot of factors that impact your experience with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and your diet is absolutely on that list. What you put into your body impacts hormone production, egg count, egg quality, uterine lining quality, and many other processes in your body related to fertility, and IVF is no exception. 

It is important to have as anti-inflammatory a diet as possible during the IVF process. This means minimizing or eliminating the intake of processed or fast foods and sugar. Whole grains, fruits and veggies, as well as clean proteins are important parts of an anti-inflammatory diet. However, your body goes through a lot with IVF, so it is not generally recommended to make any massive changes to your typical diet (such as going Vegan or eliminating gluten if you hadn’t already) at this time. The emphasis is on balance to set yourself up for success.

Foods to Limit

• Alcohol (none!) and soda
• Full-fat dairy products
• Red meat
• Refined sugar and artificial sweeteners 
• Refined Grains
• Highly Processed Foods
• Fast foods
• Seafood high in mercury content (tuna, mackerel, sea bass)
• Sodium (herbs and spices can go a long way!)
• Caffeine

Foods to Embrace

Seek out the following during IVF: foods rich in zinc; foods rich in iron; folic acid in food; healthy fats; protein-rich foods; hydration.

• Water, water, water!
• Legumes (beans, chickpeas, lentils)
• Low-fat dairy products
• Healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, nuts) 
• Lean protein (fully cooked fish such as salmon, and poultry) 
• Green leafy vegetables (cabbage, broccoli)
• Fresh fruits (banana, pineapple)
• Potatoes

After an egg retrieval, it is typical for IVF patients to be given a list of specific foods to avoid and specific foods to seek out as your body returns to normal. Not only can your diet impact your IVF experience itself, but it can also impact the likelihood of complications afterwards. 

At Simple Surrogacy, we strive to ensure that all of our IVF patients – whether they’re an Intended Parent, a Surrogate, or an Egg Donor – are supported by our team of experienced professionals every step of the way. If you are on your IVF journey and have any questions or concerns regarding your diet, we are here to help. If you are interested in expanding your family through alternative family planning methods or are interested in learning more about surrogacy and egg donation, please contact us today.