IVF Diet Tips For Improving Success: Dos and Don’ts
Couples considering an IVF are usually willing to do everything under their control to maximize the chances of conception. The normally connecting couples may not always care enough as often people take their pregnancies for granted. But IVF couples are typically a lot different than them. This is because they have been putting their blood, sweat, and tears into this.
The success rate of IVF pregnancies depends on several factors including a healthy diet. While a diet is not only required to be followed when you are about to have an embryo transfer treatment, it becomes mandatory to be followed at these times. For better understanding, we have compiled a list of food that you may add to your diet during an IVF treatment to increase the chances of conception. So, scroll down.
Role Of Healthy Diet in Increasing The Chances Of Conception
While incorporating a healthy diet is not only necessary when you are looking to be fertile, it should be a part of your life. However, now that it is not the case, let us tell you why it is important to consider a well-balanced diet during an IVF treatment.
According to a study conducted by Harvard Medical School, women who focused on their diet had a higher success rate when compared to others who ate foods filled with unhealthy sources of both macro and micronutrients and saturated fats. The study showed that women who consumed foods enriched with folic acid were more likely to conceive.
Since an IVF is not all about women, men are also supposed to take care of their health by adding sufficient amounts of healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B-12, folic acid, and others to improve the quality of their sperm.
Not only on IVF success tips diet but you are also supposed to focus on improving the entire quality of your life by making salient changes to it. So you may also look at the amount of physical activities you are carrying out in a day.
Foods To Eat During IVF Treatment
Healthy eating is proven to optimize fertility thereby increasing the success rates of IVF treatment. It is an important thing to be considered by couples who are embarking on the IVF journey. The following are the types of foods that you are supposed to incorporate in your IVF success tips diet:
Green Vegetables
Green leafy vegetables are a rich source of vitamin C and folate acid, both of which are necessary to be consumed during pregnancy. Therefore, you may include as many as green leafy vegetables in your IVF success tips diet.
Foods Rich in Protein
Protein-rich foods are better known as the building blocks of life and the more consume protein, the more the better. It is only good for the health of the mother, but it is also good for the baby. Yogurt, nuts, broccoli, milk, fish, and eggs are good sources of proteins.
Healthy Fats
Consumption of healthy fats help in the formation of healthy eggs. Fats from chia seeds, flaxseed oil, olive oil, and walnuts come under this category and they are beneficial to your body when taken moderately. These unsaturated fats also work to store energy, which is crucial when you are a part of the IVF treatment.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is often recommended by doctors in the form of medications to ensure that the female body doesn’t lack this much-required element. It is the folic acid that is responsible for the growth of the baby, especially the baby’s brain and the spinal cord. So, it is better if you consume folic acid-rich foods such as spinach, beans, broccoli, and others.
Foods Rich in Zinc
Zinc is one such mineral that is only required in a very less amount. However, it is an essential mineral that is in charge of the regulation of hormones in the body. You must already know the significance of certain hormones during the pregnancy period. The necessity of these hormones remains the same In the case of IVF treatments as well. Dairy products, meat, and potatoes are a few good sources of zinc.
Foods Rich in Iron
Iron is another important mineral that is required during pregnancy. It is often the deficiency of iron that leads to premature delivery or low birth weight. Pumpkin seeds, spinach, and oysters can be included in the diet to ensure sufficient iron intake.
Sufficient Water
Some individuals try to include all the above-mentioned minerals in their diet but often forget to drink sufficient amounts of water. This can make your body suffer. There should always be a balance between the water content in your body and other elements. If you are planning to increase the amount of mineral intake, then you should make necessary increments in the water intake as well. This doesn’t mean you will have to drink more than enough water to make sure the levels of water are never less. This would be completely wrong. You should only drink the required amount of water every day, neither more nor less.
Now you know the foods to include in your diet to improve the success rate of IVF. So, let’s also grab your attention to the foods to avoid during the IVF treatment.
Foods To be Avoided During IVF Treatment
Abstaining from the consumption of certain foods is also necessary when it comes to following a healthy diet. Given below are some of the foods you should strictly avoid consuming during the IVF treatment:
Refined Sugar
Foods containing refined sugars might taste good, but they are indirectly applying added pressure on your liver to produce additional insulin to balance the excessive amount of sugar in the blood. This pressure experienced by your internal organs can adversely affect your fertility, decreasing the success rate of IVF.
Raw Eggs
Consumption of raw eggs is not good for your health. It is the presence of a virus named salmonella virus that causes the danger. Nowadays, raw eggs are a part of our normal meal as it is added to the salad dressing, mayonnaise, and certain biscuits. Make sure to avoid the consumption of these food items at least during the treatment period.
Alcohol
Alcohol consumption is equally not good for both men and women. It affects the quality of eggs and sperm produced, and sometimes it also leads to fetus impairment.
Caffeine
Overconsumption of caffeine can be dangerous to your health as well as your baby’s. So, take special note to limit the intake of coffee or tea, and if possible, try to completely avoid consuming them.
Read More:- Fertility Treatment Concerns: Does IVF Cause Fatigue?
Conclusion
The significance of a well-balanced diet is unknown to everyone. But, not everybody knows its role in maintaining their fertility, especially when they are undergoing fertility treatments like IVF.
Although your doctor will get you the necessary medications to support the treatment and yield the best possible outcome, they will only be effective on healthy bodies. Your body becomes healthy when it is receiving sufficient amounts of minerals and nutrients.
In this article, we discussed a few IVF success diet tips that can be useful to you and your partner. Make sure to keep this in mind and also share this article with your friends who are also struggling in their journey of pregnancy.
