General Nutrition Guidelines for Fertility Treatment:
These are just general recommendations, but if you are considering IVF treatment then you should consider meeting a qualified nutritionist /dietitian.
How Early to Start Preparing for IVF?
It is best to start eating a recommended diet two to three months in advance for an IVF cycle. It is also advised that you see your doctor who specializes in preparing patients for IVF and get the following blood tests at this time.
- Antinuclear antibody
- Prolactin
- Ferritin
- INR
- Prolactin
- FSH
- LH
- DHEA-S
- Testosterone
- Anti-Mullerian Hormone
This is also the good time to look for any nutritional deficiency in vitamins or minerals in the blood.
A Healthy Balanced Diet:
A healthy balanced diet is one which includes all macro and micronutrients along with the healthy amount of calories. Your macronutrients are, carbohydrates, proteins and fats, and the micronutrients are vitamins and minerals. Since all these components are necessary for a balanced diet you can only vary the proportions.
Protein: sources can vary depending on if one is vegetarian or non-vegetarian. But make sure there are large amounts of vegetables, some fruit, whole grains are all wonderful sources of nutrition
Fats: are also critical for good nutrition, when it comes to fertility. Unsaturated fats and fatty acids are important building blocks, and play an important role in helping the body to absorb and use lipid soluble nutrients in your food.
It is important to stay hydrated. It will also aid digestion and absorption of nutrients, and promote good health.
