How important is diet??!

[AnnaSteen]

I’ve read lots about diet and IVF and how a low carb high protein diet is best but I’m finding it really difficult to stick to. I can’t eat eggs so I struggle with breakfasts that don’t have carbs (ie I hate protein shakes) and I also am allergic to nuts!!! I hate eating salads it makes me miserable!

Thing I have done:
Cut out caffeine, alcohol, processed meat, all dairy bar one glass full fat milk a day, sweets/chocolate/crisps etc swapped to x2 squares of dark chocolate an evening, have salmon x2 a week, more avocados and more hummus, more leafy green veg. Lots of chicken. Red meat only once a week and high quality. I’m also taking my supplements religiously.

Is this enough or will low carb high protein be the thing that makes the difference? If so how have you managed it?

[UpsyIggleDaisyPiggle]

The doctor at the ivf clinic just told me to avoid alcohol. Healthy diet is obviously beneficial in all sorts of ways, so I would try to eat healthily. I was not given any advice on IVF friendly foods though as there probably isn’t any evidence to support this. Don’t know for sure though.

[Caspianberg]

I think diet is important to many aspects of health. I am afraid I don't know the ins and outs of low carb for IVF, however, what you already are doing sounds more than enough to have made a decent, sustainable change in your general diet.

[babasaclover]

We have a 3 year old after 8 years infertility and 2 rounds of ivf. We were never told this, they literally didn't mention diet - though of course I myself investing in myself, W exercise and a good diet. Not sure what it to be gained by low carb.

One interesting thing though is I was at risk of developing ovarian hyper stimulation and the clinic advised drinking a protein shake a day to combat that. No idea why but it did the trick that time!

Good luck.

[Maybe20]

You sound like your doing good op!
I on the other hand am not lol. I doubt eating badly is going to really affect it but I’m odviously not sure.
I’ve been eating and drinking alcohol as usual but just being a bit more healthy in my choices. For example I have more fruit than chocolate or crisps when I want a snack, but if I really want junk food I’ll have it.
Alcohol wise I don’t really drink a lot anyway but I do allow myself a few on the weekend but that will completely stop about a month before my cycle.
Your doing really well though and just keep doing what your doing. Ive been wondering the same about diet and been nagging my oh but as long as you don’t eat crap everyday.

[AliceAbsolum]

My clinic in the UK was really big on this. There was a big study that showed high carb (and particularly snacking) interfered with insulin levels which significantly affected egg quality.

[AnnaSteen]

That’s interesting Alice! I’ve also eliminated snacking in between meals! I guess I wouldn’t be high carb but I would be having carbs with every meal as it’s so hard trying to leave them out - especially when you can’t eat eggs!! How do you manage?

[AliceAbsolum]

I'm a vegan and I manage it with soya yogurt and tofu. It's not easy though. For anyone!