What is the ideal diet during IVF treatment?

16-Sep-2019

There has been a massive growth in the fertility industry in recent years as the advancement in medical technology has seen an increase in the chances of success. One of the major fertility treatments available today is in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and the purpose of this article is to discuss what types of foods should be eaten in order to ensure a successful cycle of IVF treatment.

There have been many recent reports that have confirmed the importance of diet on increasing fertility during IVF treatment. Foods that are high in monounsaturated fats have been shown to be much more effective in fighting infertility. These include foods such as olive oil and sunflower oil.

Fruits and vegetables can be considered a standard part of any healthy diet and this is especially true during IVF treatment. Avocados in particular are highly recommended.

As well as avocados, strawberries and blueberries can be considered as ‘super foods’ given their impact on fertility. Bananas have also been shown to have a major impact, thus it would be advisable to add them to your diet too. The old adage of having ‘5-a-day’ certainly holds true for increasing your chances of being fertile.

Of course, there is another old saying about eating your greens, which also holds true for fertility. Cabbages, broccoli and sweet potatoes are highly recommended as being beneficial for increasing fertility. Walnuts and Brazil nuts are also good to take.

In terms of foods to avoid, saturated fats are a definite no-no. Things like red meat and butter should be completely eliminated from the diet as studies have shown that they can have a major negative effect on fertility.

Another thing to avoid is caffeine. Now that’s not to say that you should completely eliminate coffee, but at the very least you should consider limiting your daily intake to one or two cups.

Most of the information in this article will be pretty self-evident to most people. It’s the sort of advice we’re used to hearing from medical professionals throughout our lives, so it’s no surprise that research has found that these same foods have such a major impact on fertility and successful IVF treatment.

The key is to have an understanding of what constitutes a balanced diet and applying those principles. The effects of diet alone can be dramatic and, in some cases, it can be a cheaper alternative to even undertaking IVF in the first place. Alongside IVF treatment, a healthy diet gives a woman the best possible chance of a successful pregnancy.

That said, it is important to note that this article is designed to serve merely as an introduction to what constitutes the ideal diet for IVF patients. It is strongly recommended that you speak with a fertility expert before undertaking a cycle of IVF treatment. There is constant research now being undertaken which measures the effects of diet on fertility treatments like IVF and it would be beneficial to have a thorough consultation with a fertility professional before undertaking any treatment.

About the author

Medical Travel is the Czech Republic’s leading medical tourism agency. Highly experienced in supporting overseas patients throughout their treatment journey, they offer a range of high quality affordable medical services in the fields of infertility treatment, cosmetic surgery and weight loss surgery.