Zita west nutritionist ???

[strawberrysummer19]

So I know I have a thread on this already but I'm really really struggling with the Mediterranean diet which we've decided to give a go

I like most the foods apart from seafood but I'm struggling with the things I cannot eat

I know it's only been 2 days but I'm miserable
I know I'm probably missing sugar! But I can't face 90 days of this

Which is what we've been told to do before attempting another cycle

We've one failed round and my 8 out of 9 eggs collected, only one made to blastocyst so we are currently awaiting results on dna fragmentation which is due any day now
( they were fine on day 3 apparently)

So our consultant has recommended us a supplement to take for 90 days then cycle again so we've decided to do the ivf Mediterranean diet too

I've meal planned for the week so I will complete this week but I've been on google all weekend and last 2 days and other than booking a £198 zita west consultation as I cannot seem to find a nutritionist anywhere near me that I can book? I'm thinking just a low carb, healthy balanced diet.
We've cut out caffeine, alcohol, fizzy drinks and decided to do a no sugar and no carb but as I say it's making me so miserable just the thought of it.

It's so conflicting- I thought I could only have dairy 1-2 a week so does that mean I can't have say breakfast cereal as it means having milk?
I used to eat dairy every day but this med diet doesn't recommend that
But the diet recommendations on my ivf clinic page does ?!

I just feel like a month off trying and thinking about ivf I've got myself upset just thinking about the diet!!

Can someone please help

We aren't cycling again until nov so we've plenty of time to make some changes

Thanks for reading x

Honestly...as far as I am aware there is naff all evidence that anything above a normal, well balanced diet will have any effect on fertility treatment outcomes. If you don't like it and it's proving more stress than it's worth I wouldn't bother. I certainly wouldn't spend money on a consultation about it! Focus on healthy choices, plenty of fruit and veg, and everything else in moderation (including some treats from time to time)! I think there is some weak evidence that eliminating caffeine and alcohol might help so keep cutting those out if you can.

If you are keen for a consultation try and book to see a Dietitian with expertise in fertility/pregnancy rather than a nutritionist. Dietitian's are registered healthcare professionals whereas anyone can do a short course and claim they are a nutritionist.

@strawberrysummer19 I completely agree with @MGee123 don’t stress yourself out just make the changes you can and be kind to yourself. I bought the Zita West book and definitely adapted some of it and included as much of the recommended foods as I could. I did take ubiquinol, inositol and omega 3 as well as the pre natal and cut out 90% of alcohol and caffeine the month before and completely during IVF. Focus on including lots of the good stuff not cutting everything out.
It’s so hard, you just want to give yourself every chance and control the few things you can - if a small treat and the odd pizza or vino help you cope and feel normal I think that’s to be encouraged. Good luck and take care.

Hey ! I wouldn't be too hard on yourself. I am a bit lucky as my family is from the Mediterranean so have eaten like this my whole life. A lot of books and websites definitely make it too complex but this is the way I always eat:

Pescetarian, very rarely I would also have chicken. Absolutely love chickpeas and lentils, and also salmon and anchovies. Have red meat once or twice a year if that.
Definitely not low carb at all, I eat homemade pasta/pizza/bread every day but never ever processed carbs. Fill your day with whole carbs - like oats, try to get fresh bread, pasta without preservatives, basically just avoid anything with added ingredients. If it has that much more than flour, it is a bit suspicious.
On dairy, I don't have it every day, but do love cheese a couple times a week, especially mozzarella and feta. I have always drank black coffee, sometimes oat milk. Sometimes I will have a yoghurt but mostly a coffee and fruit for breakfast.
Nuts for snacks throughout the day.
As many fruit and vegetables as possible.
Bigger meal at lunch and smaller at dinner.
And I love dark chocolate, 70%+ as less than that tends to be very processed.
Glass of red wine at night.

Not a nutritionist at all, so above is just anecdotal representation as someone who grew up in a southern Italian family. We will see if it works for my first cycle in a couple of weeks! I don't think you need to pay for a nutritionist as the Mediterranean way of eating is overall very simple - vegetables, fruits, nuts, fish, chickpeas, lentils and whole carbs, just avoid processed foods as much as possible.

Good luck and stay strong xx

Need to recommend the podcast Food, Freedom Fertility. It’s by two dieticians who focus on fertility. They seem to recommend good fats in general, and also full fat dairy. Anyway lots of interesting episodes there.

Melanie Brown is a great nutritionist and I believe really helped me with my egg quality. Good luck.

There has been some research that a bit of full fat dairy is good for ladies trying to concieve