The Mediterranean Diet for IVF

A Mediterranean diet is often recommended when trying to conceive and preparing for IVF. Have you ever wondered why?

There is a huge body of research supporting a Mediterranean style of eating to help prepare your body for IVF.

• A 2018 study found that in 244 women those will higher compliance to a Mediterranean diet had 50% pregnancy rate compared to 29% in those with lower compliance and 49% live birth rate compared with 27%

• A study published in 2019 looking at 590 women undergoing IVF in were found to have an average of 8 embryos compared to 5 in the non Mediterranean group

• Not forgetting the male factor element (50% of making a baby) a 2017 study in Athens found that men following the Mediterranean diet had 20-30% better levels of count, motility and morphology than those who did not follow this way of eating.

So what can you include in your diet to support a Mediterranean way of eating?

Daily

• Vegetables

• Wholegrains

• Fruit

• Nuts/seeds

• Healthy fats

• Legumes

A few times each week

• Fish

• Yogurt and cheese

• Poultry – chicken, turkey

Remember, small changes make a big impact so try and incorporate some of these foods into your diet each day where possible.