6 Pantry Essentials to Support Your Body Before an IVF Stim Cycle
- Rachael Robinson
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
By Rachael Robinson, Fertility Nutritionist. Updated May 2026.
Table of Contents
3 Key Takeaways
Create a well-stocked pantry to support your body before and during an IVF stimulation cycle.
Choose foods that nourish blood flow, hormone balance, and gut health while reducing inflammation.
These six nutrient-dense staples make it easy to eat well even on busy or low-energy days.
Introduction: 6 Pantry Essentials to Support Your Body Before an IVF Stim Cycle
If you’re preparing for an IVF stimulation cycle, you’re entering a demanding stage—both emotionally and physically. Nutrition won’t control every outcome, but what you eat can have a real impact on how your body copes. Having the right foods ready at home helps you stay energised, nourished, and calm while giving your body what it needs at a cellular level.
In this post, I share six pantry staples I recommend to clients before stimulation begins. Each one supports a key area of fertility health—from blood flow and iron levels to healthy fats and gut integrity. With these simple staples on hand, you can focus on rest and recovery while knowing your nutrition is working for you.
1. Bone Broth
Bone broth is one of the gentlest, most restorative foods you can include before and during an IVF cycle. It supports gut integrity, immune function, and collagen production, three areas that often need extra care during stimulation.
The hormonal changes and emotional stress of IVF can place pressure on the digestive and immune systems. Bone broth replenishes nutrients such as glycine, proline, and minerals that help your body recover and repair.
You can sip it on its own, use it as a base for soups and stews, or warm it with herbs and sea salt for a soothing, savoury drink. I personally like Borough Broth for convenience and quality, but a homemade version, slow-cooked from chicken or beef bones, is equally nourishing. Try making a big batch and freezing portions so you always have an easy, nutrient-rich option available.
2. Beets
Iron and blood flow are critical supports during the stimulation phase of IVF. Beets are a natural way to nourish both. They’re vasodilatory, meaning they help widen blood vessels and encourage better circulation throughout the body, including to the ovaries.
They also provide arginine, an amino acid that may support oxygen delivery and overall cellular energy. During IVF, when egg development is being stimulated, optimal oxygen and nutrient flow can make a difference.
You can enjoy beets raw, roasted, or blended. A simple, energising smoothie idea is:½ cup cooked beets, 1 orange, a handful of spinach, ½ avocado, a few almonds, and almond milk.
If you prefer a ready-made option, Beet It shots are convenient—one each morning can help keep blood flow and energy levels up. In addition, beets are a great source of natural antioxidants, which contribute to overall reproductive health by reducing oxidative stress.
3. Liver Pâté
Liver pâté is one of the most iron-rich and nutrient-dense foods available. It’s an especially valuable addition if your iron stores are low. Ideally, ferritin (the marker of iron storage) should be above 30 µg/L before embryo transfer. The body’s iron needs rise during stimulation due to increased hormonal activity and metabolic demand. Iron supports oxygen delivery, energy production, and cell growth, all of which are essential when your body is working hard.
Liver pâté also provides vitamin A, vitamin B12, and folate, all crucial for reproductive health. However, balance is key—avoid pâté after transfer due to food safety concerns and excessive retinol content during early pregnancy. If pâté doesn’t appeal, you can focus on plant-based sources such as hummus, lentils, or leafy greens, ideally combined with vitamin C–rich foods like lemon juice or bell peppers to improve iron absorption.
4. Bold Bean Company Beans
High-quality beans are an often-overlooked fertility food. They’re packed with fibre, plant protein, and slow-releasing carbohydrates—the perfect combination for maintaining steady energy throughout the day. I love Bold Bean Company products because they’re pre-cooked, taste great, and are ready to use straight from the jar. This convenience can be a real lifesaver during stimulation when energy or appetite may fluctuate.
Beans also support a healthy gut microbiome, which influences both inflammation and hormone metabolism. A healthy gut helps the body process estrogen efficiently, which is particularly important during IVF treatment.
You can add beans to salads, soups, or curries, or blend them into a quick dip. Even a spoonful on the side of a meal provides extra fibre and protein to keep your blood sugar balanced.
5. Nuts and Seeds
A simple jar of mixed nuts and seeds is one of the easiest ways to build hormone-friendly fats into your daily diet. Fats are essential for estrogen and progesterone production, and they also help absorb fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. Try combining almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, and pumpkin seeds in equal parts. This combination provides a balance of omega-3s, magnesium, zinc, and plant protein—nutrients that support hormone function and egg quality.
Sprinkle your mix over porridge, yoghurt, or salads, or simply enjoy a small handful as a snack. For added flavour, lightly toast them in a pan and keep in a sealed jar. In addition, the fibre and healthy fats in nuts can help stabilise blood sugar, reducing the sharp spikes and crashes that often come with stress or hormonal changes.
6. Flax Oil
Flax oil is another key pantry staple I recommend for anyone going through IVF. It’s rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid with anti-inflammatory properties. Balanced inflammation supports implantation and overall reproductive health.
For best quality, choose a cold-pressed flax oil (such as this one from Biona) and store it in the fridge to prevent oxidation. Use it raw—drizzle it over cooked vegetables, stir it into warm grains, or mix into salad dressings.
Avoid heating flax oil, as high temperatures can damage its delicate fats, reducing their nutritional benefits. Think of flax oil as a finishing touch that adds both nutrients and flavour to your meals. If you want to vary your sources, chia seeds and walnuts also offer similar omega-3 benefits and can complement flax oil perfectly.
For more guidance on diet in an IVF cycle check out my blog posts Simple Nutrition Hacks for IVF and Surviving IVF: How to Keep going with work and life when everything feels harder.
Conclusion
Preparing for an IVF stimulation cycle isn’t just about appointments and medications—it’s about creating a nourishing environment where your body can thrive. The foods you choose every day support energy, hormone balance, and resilience. Stocking your pantry with 6 pantry essentials to support your body before an IVF stim cycle sets you up for success from the very beginning.
Each of these foods, whether bone broth for gut health, beets for circulation, or flax oil for inflammation serves a specific purpose. Together they help your body meet the physical demands of IVF while keeping your meals simple, balanced, and satisfying. Nutrition can’t change every outcome, but it can help you move through this process feeling grounded and supported.
Next Steps
If you’re preparing for an IVF cycle and want clarity around your nutrition, I’d love to help. In a one-to-one fertility nutrition session, we’ll create a personalised plan to match your phase, test results, and unique needs.
Book a consultation today and feel confident that your pantry—and your body—are ready for the journey ahead.
You can reach out via the contact form or explore my IVF nutrition resources to receive tailored, evidence based support through every stage of treatment. You can also join my newsletter for evidence based guidance and gentle emotional support.
Arrange a 1:1 session via the contact form and we can work on a plan that supports you, whatever your situation and whatever you have been through.
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