What Can You Eat Before IVF? A Week of Everyday Meals for Both of You

Evidence-based · Written by Dr. Lejla Fazlicic, D.Ac, L.Ac · All key claims cited to peer-reviewed research · Last reviewed October 2026

"What can I actually eat?" is one of the first questions couples ask me, usually after reading three lists that contradict each other. The honest answer is: more than you think. You don't need a special IVF diet, and he doesn't need a separate one. One set of meals can cover both of you, and that's easier to keep going for the weeks before a cycle.

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What does the research say about eating before IVF?

• For her. In 244 women having a first IVF cycle, those who ate most like the Mediterranean pattern had higher clinical pregnancy and live birth rates than those who ate least like it. The link was seen in women under 35, not in women 35 and older [1].
• For him. In 225 men from couples at a fertility clinic, those who ate least like the Mediterranean pattern were about 2.6 times more likely to have low sperm count, concentration or motility [2].
• Nuts. In a 14-week trial, healthy men who added 60 g of mixed nuts a day (about two handfuls) had better sperm count, vitality, motility and shape, and lower DNA fragmentation, than men who didn't [3].
• Sugary drinks. In couples trying to conceive, seven or more sugar-sweetened drinks a week, for either partner, was linked to lower chances of conceiving each month. Diet soda and fruit juice showed little link [4].
• Coffee. A meta-analysis of IVF and ICSI patients found no link between caffeine and pregnancy or live birth for either partner [5].

These are associations, not guarantees, and the studies don't prove that food changed the outcome. The pattern is good for general health either way.

What is a week of IVF-friendly meals for both of you?

This is a sample, not a prescription. Swap meals freely, repeat ones you like, and use leftovers.

A sample week of everyday meals for both partners

Day	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Monday	Oatmeal with berries and walnuts	Lentil soup, whole-grain bread	Baked salmon, roasted potatoes, green beans
Tuesday	Greek yogurt, fruit, a handful of almonds	Leftover salmon over salad greens with olive oil	Chicken and vegetable stir-fry with brown rice
Wednesday	Eggs with spinach and whole-grain toast	Chickpea and vegetable wrap	Whole-wheat pasta with tomato sauce, white beans and a side salad
Thursday	Oatmeal with banana and peanut butter	Leftover pasta and beans	Shrimp tacos with cabbage slaw and avocado
Friday	Yogurt with oats and fruit	Tuna (canned light) and bean salad	Homemade pizza on whole-wheat dough, lots of vegetables
Saturday	Veggie omelet and fruit	Bowl of quinoa, roasted vegetables and feta	Out for dinner: grilled fish or chicken, vegetables, one shared dessert
Sunday	Whole-grain pancakes with berries	Soup and sandwich on whole-grain bread	Roast chicken, sweet potatoes, broccoli. Cook extra for Monday.

Snacks: a handful of nuts, fruit, hummus with vegetables, yogurt or cheese with whole-grain crackers. Drinks: water, sparkling water, coffee or tea, with sugary sodas and energy drinks swapped out for most of the week.

Which fish are best before IVF?

Fish fits this pattern well, and choosing lower-mercury fish is simple. The FDA's advice for people who might become pregnant is 2–3 servings a week from its "Best Choices" list, such as salmon, sardines, shrimp, cod, tilapia, trout and canned light tuna. It lists king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, shark, swordfish, Gulf of Mexico tilefish and bigeye tuna as the ones to avoid [6].

What you don't need to do

• Buy special "fertility" foods or powders.
• Cut out a whole food group, unless a doctor has told you to for a medical reason.
• Give up coffee.
• Eat perfectly. A pizza night or a dinner out is part of a normal week.

If either of you has diabetes, food allergies, celiac disease or another condition, ask your doctor or a dietitian to adjust this. More on what to keep in what to give up before IVF, and what you can keep.

What the research can't tell you

• That this week of meals will change your result. The studies show links on average, not proof for one couple.
• Exactly which food matters most. The research looks at overall patterns more than single foods.
• That a past meal or a takeout night caused anything. Research looks at patterns over months, not single meals, so there's no need to look back.

What we do with this

1. Pick three dinners from the table that you'd both enjoy, and cook them this week.
2. Keep nuts somewhere easy to reach. They work as a snack for both of you.
3. Swap one sugary drink a day for water, sparkling water or coffee.
4. Cook once, eat twice. Leftovers make the next day's lunch.

In my clinical experience, food is often where couples first feel they're doing something together. The meals don't need to be special. Cooking and eating the same thing is the point.

Pocket Coach includes a food guide of 158 everyday foods for both of you, each with a one-line reason, so you can check foods by category at the store instead of searching online. Try it free for 7 days: for her or for him.

Related reading

• What to eat in the 90 days before your next IVF cycle
• The Mediterranean diet and fertility: what the research shows
• The male fertility diet: the 74 days before
• What to avoid before IVF: a 3-month plan for both of you

Frequently asked questions

What is a good IVF diet meal plan?

A Mediterranean-style week works well for both partners: oatmeal or eggs for breakfast, soups, salads and leftovers for lunch, and dinners built on fish, chicken, beans, whole grains and vegetables. Add nuts as a snack and swap out most sugary drinks. Nothing has to be special or expensive.

What should I eat before IVF?

Mostly vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, nuts and olive oil. In women having a first IVF cycle, eating closer to this Mediterranean pattern was linked to higher pregnancy and live birth rates in those under 35. Ask your clinic if you have a medical condition that changes what you should eat.

Does my partner need to follow the IVF diet too?

It helps, and it's easier if you eat the same meals. In men from couples at a fertility clinic, eating closer to the Mediterranean pattern was linked to better sperm count and motility. A trial also found that adding about two handfuls of nuts a day was linked to better sperm measures.

What fish can I eat before IVF?

The FDA advises 2–3 servings a week of lower-mercury fish such as salmon, sardines, shrimp, cod, tilapia, trout and canned light tuna for people who might become pregnant. Avoid the highest-mercury fish, such as swordfish, shark, king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy and bigeye tuna.

Can I drink coffee on an IVF diet?

Usually, yes. A meta-analysis of IVF and ICSI patients found no link between caffeine and pregnancy or live birth for either partner. Sugary sodas and energy drinks are the drinks more worth cutting back. Your clinic may have its own advice.

References

1. Karayiannis D, Kontogianni MD, Mendorou C, et al. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and IVF success rate among non-obese women attempting fertility. Human Reproduction. 2018;33(3):494–502. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29390148/
2. Karayiannis D, Kontogianni MD, Mendorou C, et al. Association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and semen quality parameters in male partners of couples attempting fertility. Human Reproduction. 2017;32(1):215–222. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27994040/
3. Salas-Huetos A, Moraleda R, Giardina S, et al. Effect of nut consumption on semen quality and functionality in healthy men consuming a Western-style diet: a randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2018;108(5):953–962. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30475967/
4. Hatch EE, Wesselink AK, Hahn KA, et al. Intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and fecundability in a North American preconception cohort. Epidemiology. 2018;29:369–378. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29384791/
5. Rao W, Li Y, Li N, et al. The association between caffeine and alcohol consumption and IVF/ICSI outcomes: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36259227/
6. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Advice about eating fish: for those who might become or are pregnant or breastfeeding and children ages 1–11 years. https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/advice-about-eating-fish
7. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Fertility problems, quality statement 1: lifestyle advice (QS73). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs73/chapter/quality-statement-1-lifestyle-advice

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This article is educational and reflects associations reported in the scientific literature. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not a way to interpret your own results. As a Doctor of Acupuncture I offer lifestyle guidance that works alongside your physician and fertility clinic — I do not diagnose, interpret labs, or prescribe. Your clinic may have its own protocol; follow it and raise any questions with your medical team.