Benefits of eating healthy for IVF success

There are numerous benefits to adopting a healthy IVF diet prior to and during your treatment, these include:

Providing vitamins and minerals needed for optimum health of the egg and sperm

Providing antioxidants which can protect the egg and sperm from damage induced by free radicals

Providing essential fats which enable the proper production and function of reproductive hormones. This ensures optimal hormone balance in the body and can be particularly beneficial in cases of hormone imbalance, such as infertility in PCOS patients.

Ensures optimal general health by providing anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing effects

Ensures the body is healthy and strong in preparation for the early stages of pregnancy

When should I start my IVF diet?

In order to get the most out of its effects, it is important that you start following your IVF diet several months before you begin your IVF treatment.

The usual recommendation is to start the IVF diet about 2-3 months before treatment.

This is to ensure that your body is of optimal health and strength and there is time to stabilize any hormonal imbalances, which may affect the success of your treatment.

But what should you be eating in this fertility diet?

IVF diet for women

1. Water
Water is important for the function of all organs in the body, including the reproductive organs. Therefore, it is very important to drink enough water whilst trying to conceive. It is recommended that you drink between 8 and 10 glasses of water a day.

2. Healthy fats
Healthy fats are important for supporting hormone balance and immune function, as well as controlling inflammation. Foods that are beneficial to eat include oily fish, nuts, eggs and avocado. Olive oil in your cooking also provides healthy fats.

3. Protein
Protein is essential for cell growth and repair, as well as balancing the body’s blood sugar level. Protein is also important for the manufacture of hormones. Plant protein is considered healthier and fertility researchers at Harvard advise to replace meat with peas, beans, nuts, tofu, and soybeans.

4. Fiber
Fiber helps to remove toxins from the body; this includes the removal of excess reproductive hormones, therefore helping to balance these levels. Fiber-rich foods include fruit, vegetables, oats, cereals and nuts.

5. Fertility superfoods
There are several foods which are classed as fertility superfoods. These have a very high nutrient content and provide high levels of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants which are beneficial to fertility. These can be taken as a supplement, or if preferred, incorporated into a healthy diet.

6. Avoid trans fats
The fats that clog your arteries are also a threat to your fertility, so avoid low quality fats

7. Low carb diet is helpful
British fertility experts found in a recent study that your chances of conceiving improve as you cut down the carbs in your diet. IVF success rates in women having low-carb diet were higher by almost 50 percent, as compared to those having a carb-rich diet.

8. Don’t skim the milk
Whole milk, cottage cheese, and full-fat yogurt are good for your fertility as they contribute good fat to your diet. Don’t buy skimmed milk if you are trying to conceive.

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IVF diet for men

Men may also benefit from following an IVF diet as optimal sperm count and health is important for the success of IVF. There are many reasons for low sperm count in men and a healthy, nutritious diet can improve both sperm count and quality.
The life cycle of a single sperm is typically 74 days; therefore, men should look at following a healthier diet for at least 2-3 months prior to providing their sperm for IVF treatment. Men should follow a similar IVF diet plan to women, eating a balanced diet containing lots of nutrient dense food, as highlighted above.
The ‘Health Conscious’ diet – consisted of mainly whole grains, fish, fruit and vegetables
The ‘Traditional Dutch’ diet – included whole grains, meats and potatoes, with sweets and alcohol completely excluded.

Foods to avoid on an IVF diet

Certain foods and beverages are detrimental to your fertility and should therefore be avoided in the IVF diet of both men and women. These include:

Caffeine

Alcohol

Soy

Processed foods

Too much sugar

Fish high in mercury, for example, swordfish, shark and tuna steak

Incorporating these diet suggestions into your lifestyle may help to increase your chances of IVF success and also help you to have a healthy pregnancy.

Talk to a dietician and check with your fertility specialists before starting any supplements, so they are safe and meet your individual requirements.