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The pre and post-IVF diet plan you must follow to have a healthy baby

If you are someone who is opting for in-vitro fertilization (IVF), you must follow a nutritious diet before and after treatment.
You must consume a nutritious diet, before and after IVF treatment. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Dr Nishi Singh Published: 10 Jan 2022, 11:28 am IST
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Being a mother is an experience several women wish to have someday. However, with the changing times and lifestyles, they also have multiple issues in this natural process. But as they say, every problem has a solution. For women having trouble conceiving, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) is the answer. Being an artificial pregnancy procedure, IVF requires one to be very careful, and for women, this caution comes unsaid with diet and exercise.

During an IVF cycle, focus on eating healthy, balanced meals. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Here’s what you should or should not eat when you plan the IVF procedure to have a baby.

Following this diet would keep you and your baby healthy and in good shape.

Pre IVF:

Breakfast

For breakfast, you can have oats pancakes with maple syrup, boiled vegetables’ salad with egg whites, orange juice, pineapple juice, almonds, walnuts, scrambled eggs, and green tea, etc. Make sure you keep the quantity of fibre high in your diet. Eat a wholesome breakfast and refrain from skipping it.

Mid-morning diet

In the mid-morning, you can pick have fruits or healthy drinks like a banana smoothie, and coconut water, etc. These types of fruits have all the required nutrients to keep you healthy and ensure IVF success.

Lunch

For lunch, you can have chicken Thai curry with parboiled rice, omelette, roasted chicken, and lentils, etc.

Afternoon snack

For an afternoon snack, you can have beetroot, tomato salad, carrots, dry fruits, yogurt smoothie, or fresh lime water, etc.

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Dinner

Make sure to have a light dinner. Don’t overeat, and walk for a few minutes after you’re done with your meal. Have your dinner at the right time and don’t get very late. You can have kidney beans curry, chickpea and paneer salad, lentil soup with parboiled rice, baked fish, and fresh salad, etc.

You have to add some healthy foods to your dinner! Image courtesy: Shutterstock

It’s time to talk about the diet you need to maintain post-IVF

Morning diet

It is always advised not to skip breakfast, even if you’re not pregnant. So if you’re pregnant, you should ensure that you don’t skip it and eat something wholesome and healthy. Start your day with a simple meal. For breakfast, you can toast some bread and top it with avocado. You can eat oatmeal as well, which has pregnancy-boosting abilities. Eat some fresh fruits, low fat or dairy milk, and your breakfast is complete.

Mid-morning diet

After a few hours of breakfast, you should have a mid-morning snack. Keep something very light as your mid-morning snack. You can have a smoothie with berries, spinach, kale, nuts, wheat germ, yogurt, or low-fat milk. They have the required nutrients to aid in IVF success.

Lunch time

Your meal for lunch should consist of whole grains, fresh veggies, and lean protein. Make a grain and veggie salad, or you can also eat a low-mercury fish, grilled chicken, or tofu along with it.

Skipping lunch is not a good idea. Image courtesy: Shuttersock

Afternoon snack

This time is apt for enjoying fresh fruits. Choose any of your favourite fruits and sprinkle them with chia, sesame, or sunflower seeds. You can also add peanut, almond, or soybean oil for added healthy fat.

Dinner

Have a light and tender meal at dinner. You can begin your meal with brown rice or any entire whole grain of your choice. You can also top it with roasted vegetables, tahini-lemon sauce, or any other healthy sauce of your choice. Make sure you don’t overeat. Keep your dinner the lightest of all meals.

Take a light walk for 15-20 minutes so that the food is digested properly, and you don’t feel heavy when you go to sleep.

Dr Nishi Singh

Dr Nishi Singh, Director, HOD (Department of Infertility & IVF), Prime IVF Delhi & Gurugram ...Read More

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