When trying to conceive, the type of food women consume plays a far greater role in their success than many people realize. Particularly among those looking to conceive through IVF treatments, the variety of food one eats not only boosts the overall odds of experiencing a successful pregnancy, but also reduces the likelihood of complications arising.
Partaking in a healthy diet is essential, so knowing which foods to eat and which to stay away from can be enormously beneficial. Let’s start with the foods you need to avoid when going through this kind of treatment:
- Raw Eggs
One of the most important foods to stay away from at this point in time are raw eggs. They tend to work against IVF, decreasing the chances of conception. Any form of raw or lightly cooked eggs should be avoided.
If you’re someone who enjoys raw eggs in salads, Southeast Asian preparations and other foods that incorporate uncooked egg, the main reason you need to back off of them at this time is due to their high potential for food poisoning. Staying healthy during the period of conception is essential, and allowing your body to grow weaker as a result of this kind of diet is only going to work against you.
- Artificial Sweeteners
A lot of women face weight issues during pregnancy and choose to switch over to synthetic sweeteners in the effort to keep their body weight in check. However, the impact these artificial sweeteners have on the body is far more severe than any extra weight that might result by using natural sugar.
If you want to improve your chances of getting pregnant through IVF, keeping away from foods that contain artificial sweeteners is one of the easiest and best courses of action you can take. This means refraining from consuming sugar-based foods and snacks as well as aerated drinks like soda. If you must have your daily dose of sugar, opt for natural sweeteners like honey.
- Sushi
Eating any kind of food that hasn’t been prepared for the right amount of time is potentially dangerous for someone looking to conceive through IVF. Because sushi entails eating fish that hasn’t been cooked, it poses a potential risk for those looking to get pregnant. Raw fish tends to contain certain bacterias that negatively impact a woman’s body, so consuming it can reduce the chances of IVF working out.
Some doctors insist their patients stay away from fish and fish oils strictly because of the mercury found within them. Mercury not only affects the odds of conception, but can also lead to certain birth defects.
- Alcohol
It’s common knowledge to stay away from alcohol during pregnancy, but it’s also to be avoided when someone is going through the process of IVF. Alcohol has an impact on the ovulation cycles women experience, which can reduce the overall effectiveness of IVF. Staying away from alcohol during this period can help regulate your cycle, which will help improve the overall effectiveness of the treatment.
- Unpasteurized Cheese
Just like raw fish and eggs, raw cheese is another food one needs to stay away from. Unpasteurized cheese tends to contain a certain amount of bacteria that potentially leads to infections and disorders in the body.
When going through the process of IVF, avoiding any food that potentially causes infections is essential, which is why cheese falls into this category.
- Coffee
While many of us love our daily dose of caffeine at the beginning of every day, it’s not the healthiest beverage for those looking to get pregnant through the process of IVF. As such most doctors advise their patients to completely stay away from coffee throughout the course of their IVF treatments and pregnancy to avoid any potential complications arising from it.
- Raw Vegetables
Even though vegetables are packed with all the minerals and vitamins essential for a healthy body, they absolutely must be thoroughly washed prior to consumption. This is because raw vegetables contain certain bacteria and substances that are harmful to the body.
Fruit and vegetables that aren’t properly washed can also contain certain additives and pesticides that cause harm in general, regardless of whether you’re somebody looking to conceive via IVF or not.
Keeping a close eye on the foods you eat while looking to conceive is essential to both your health, your child’s health, and ultimately the chances of your realizing a successful live birth. The above is only a partial list, but your doctor should be able to provide you with a complete guide to the best foods to consume, and avoid, throughout this crucially important period of time.
