So, you want to know if there are any foods that help implantation after IVF. Well, the answer is yes, but it’s NOT pineapple!  In this blog, I’m going to tell you about 3 foods that help implantation after IVF.

Foods that help implantation after IVF

Unfortunately there’s not a huge amount of research into foods that help implantation after IVF, but there is some, so you may as well give these foods a go….

1. Wholegrains

An American study by Dr Gaskins and his team found that those who consumed a higher intake of wholegrains each day had a higher probability of their embryo implanting than women who had the lowest intake of wholegrains. This was attributed to the fact that women who consumed more wholegrains developed thicker uterine linings, and we already know that a thick uterine lining is beneficial for implantation. It is recommended that we include at least 48 grams of wholegrains in our diet each day, so try to include some wholegrains at each meal after your embryo transfer. You may like to try oats for breakfast, an ancient grain salad for lunch and brown rice with dinner.

2. Fish 

Secondly, include low mercury, omega 3 rich fish in your meal plan three times each week. A recent study of one hundred women undergoing Assisted Reproductive Therapy found that women who had a higher intake of omega 3 in their diet, had higher rates of implantation than those who consumed less omega 3. Fish is one of the best ways to boost your omega 3 intake, so that’s the best place to start. Although, research seems to suggest that it’s not just omega 3 that’s helpful… reducing bad saturated fats with good mono and polyunsaturated fats seems to be beneficial for implantation in general. To achieve this, avoid processed foods like chips and chocolate and choose foods rich in good fats such as nuts and extra virgin olive oil.

3. Brazil Nuts

Now, I have to admit that I haven’t seen any studies that directly link eating brazil nuts with increased implantation rates after IVF, but, brazil nuts are a good food sources of zinc, and there are a few emerging studies on the benefits of zinc for implantation. Furthermore, high blood copper levels have been shown to be problematic when it comes to implantation, and increasing the zinc to copper ratio has been shown to be a good way to improve this. Although brazil nuts contain some copper, the amount is minute compared to the amount of zinc, so it could be a good idea to enjoy six brazil nuts per day after your embryo transfer. Other foods that have a good zinc to copper ratio include eggs, wheatgerm and oysters – but just watch your mercury intake if you’re eating oysters as well as fish.

Whether you decide to focus on these three foods or not, it’s important to focus on eating a diet high in nutrient-rich foods, and avoiding highly processed foods, as what you eat in the lead up to conception, during pregnancy and breast-feeding has a huge impact on programming your baby’s epigenetics. 

Make sure you check out some of my other videos on a nutritious diet to optimise your fertility on Nourish with Melanie, including the one on pineapple for implantation, and subscribe so that you’ll receive my latest fertility video each week.