If you are about to undergo in-vitro fertilization, then you may be wondering whether there is a special pre IVF diet plan to follow to increase you chances of success. There are many factors which influence the outcome and the speed of success and eating the right kinds of foods is one of them. To maximize the benefit, you should try to start modifying what you eat at least 2 months before your cycle, but of course, it’s always beneficial to improve your diet even if your IVF cycle has begun.

First off, lets look at what you shouldn’t be eating and ingesting. You should avoid foods which are produced with the addition of pesticides or growth hormones as these can negatively impact on the body. Also, foods with artificial additives should not be eaten-so choose butter over margarine, sugar (if necessary) over artificial sweeteners. Alcohol is best avoided and of course you should not smoke. Even be careful eating fruits and vegetables with traces of mold, as even if the affected part is cut off, the spores could have migrated to the rest. Minimize the amount of seafood you consume unless you are sure it does not contain mercury, which has been shown to cause birth defects.

Include seasonal fruits and vegetables which have been organically produced where possible. If not, ensure they are well-washed and you might want to consider peeling them where appropriate. Try to eat wholegrain foods and brown bread rather than white. Seeds, nuts and beans are good to include in a pre IVF diet plan, as are “healthy” oils, such as olive oil or sunflower oil. Low fat dairy foods are should also form part of a healthy diet, so include natural yogurt, skimmed milk and a little cheese. Any meat you eat should be lean and organic. Foods which are rich in Vitamin B6 and Folic Acid are very good for those trying to conceive, so you should ensure that you are eating plenty of leafy green vegetables, nuts and wholegrains for this reason alone.

What you drink is also important. A pre IVF diet plan should incorporate drinking at least 2 liters of filtered water, as internal organs can become unhealthy if dehydrated. It is believed that green tea can also be beneficial, due to high levels of antioxidants.

With regard to supplementation, there is a big difference between trying to compensate for a poor diet and enhancing an already-healthy one! There is nothing wrong with taking one of the reputable pre-pregnancy supplements, but this should not be as a substitute for eating the right kinds of foods.

Of course, conception is a “whole body” event and to look at a pre IVF diet plan in isolation without taking into account other aspects of your lifestyle would be wrong.