The Best Fertility Diet Meal Plan + Recipes • Contentment + Chaos (2024)

[Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure here.]

[Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or medical practitioner. Any medical information is strictly my opinion based on research and personal experience, and not to be taken as advice. Always seek the advice of a licensed physician for your medical needs. Read my full disclaimer here.]

After finding the best fertility diet according to research (if you care about the research and why these recipes are good for fertility, check out the research here!), I put together the best fertility diet meal plan + recipes. First, here is a short recap of the keys to the best fertility diet:

Lots of..

–Monounsaturated fats (avocados, olive oil, etc.)…that helps with implantation. See this post.
–Fruits and veggies (if you are trying to follow traditional TCM, cook them first so you are eating “warming” foods)
–Plant-based protein (nuts, seeds, beans, legumes)
–Seafood (low in mercury, like salmon)

In moderation…

–High-fat dairy
–Whole grains instead of refined

Not much of (or no)…

–Animal-based protein
–Fast food/saturated fat

Read below for the meal plan + recipes! (And when you’re done, be sure to check out my fertility shopping list + list of meal ideas!)

The meals + recipes

Breakfast options:

1. My favorite: Steel-cut oats. Topping options: fruit like blueberries and raspberries, flaxseeds, and nuts.
I also add a little 2% milk (whole milk would be even better!). I buy the Quaker steel-cut oats. There are regular ones and instant ones—personally, I like the regular ones slightly better, but they take 25 minutes. If you don’t have that kind of time, the quick ones only take 3. Add a slice of multigrain bread with almond butter if you want or a banana.

2. Full-fat Greek yogurt (my dietician recommended Siggi’s!) topped with this homemade granola, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries (really whatever fruit you want) + flaxseeds (+any nuts you want too!)
Turns out homemade granola is really not hard to make…and then you can add in whatever nuts + seeds you want!

3. Special K Protein (Honey Almond/Ancient Grains) with 2% or whole milk + topped with fruit.
I used to only eat cereal for breakfast…and it’s still the easiest and quickest breakfast option for me when I’m in a hurry, even if it’s not the best option. One day I sat in the cereal aisle for a half hour reading the nutrition facts on cereal boxes, and I determined that this Special K is the best option for cereals when you are trying to get protein. So for those rushed mornings when you only have time to just pour yourself a quick bowl of cereal, try Special K + Protein (with full fat dairy milk and fruit)!

4. Smashed avocado + egg toast.
Use multigrain toast + organic, free-range eggs (prepared however you want — you could even do hard-boiled slices). My dietician recently clued me into just how important eggs are for reproductive health — she insisted I start eating several servings a week! Eat with a side of fruit.

5. Smoothies.
I experiment all the time with different combinations/amounts, but here are the things I add: spinach, liquid (I use milk, water, or orange juice), small scoop of almond butter, chia seeds, flaxseeds, frozen fruit combination (bananas, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and/or mango), + ice. The keys to a great smoothie are having an awesome blender (like this Ninja I have — it’s awesome) + making sure it’s super cold (hence the frozen fruit and ice). My dietician also recommended I add a scoop of these Collagen peptides for egg quality (the powder is tasteless and also includes protein). *Subscribe at the bottom of this page to get my favorite smoothie recipe delivered to your inbox!

Also: Ginger tea + lemon water.
I drink lemon (+ mint, sometimes) water throughout the day, but a lot at breakfast. I also make my own homemade ginger tea by smashing ginger and adding it to boiling water. Sometimes I add a bag of turmeric tea too.

Snack options (for whenever you want):

1. My favorite: Handful of nuts.
I keep a big jar of my own mixed nut blend on the kitchen table to grab a handful when I walk by — almonds, walnuts, and brazil nuts.

2. Hard boiled egg

3. Fresh fruit

4. Vegetables (with hummus if you want)

5. String cheese

Lunch options:

1. My favorite: Salmon chopped salad
This chopped salad is the ultimate fertility super salad — seafood, leafy greens, olive oil, and avocados! (And it’s delicious!) I add spinach to the romaine blend + use the recipe for the salmon that you can find below in my dinner options, although I’m sure the one listed here is delicious too. Find the recipe here: Salmon chopped salad

2. Indian vegetable curry sliders (aka Pav Bahji)
This C+C original recipe packs a delightful blend of anti-inflammatory herbs and spices: ginger, garlic, turmeric, cayenne pepper, and cinnamon. Did I mention it’s delicious?

3. High-protein vegan salad
This made just enough for my husband + I for almost the whole week! Even though this is a salad, the quinoa, chickpeas, and seeds leave you feeling full. Find the recipe here: High-protein vegan salad

4. Sweet potato burrito bowls
Disclaimer: this isn’t 100% fertility-diet perfect (there are some canned veggies — buy organic when you can or use fresh!). And I cheat a little and still use white rice…or you could swap out the white rice for brown + then totally skip the broth. I often will make a big batch of these on Sunday and put in containers for easy take-and-go lunches for the whole week! Find the recipe here: Sweet potato burrito bowls

**Update: Although I still like the previous recipe, I recently made this similar recipe with my new cast iron skillet…it was amazing and even more fertility friendly! (Instead of the rice in the previous recipe, you get chicken — even better! And if you don’t have a cast iron skillet, it’s worth buying one for this!!)

5. Baja grain bowls
Panera-inspired, gluten free, super simple grain bowls that are great for meal prep! (If you’re cooking-challenged, you can do these!) Find the C+C original recipe here.

Bonus (obvious) idea: Any of your dinner leftovers
The easiest meal prep!

Dinner options:

1. My favorite: Grilled salmon with steamed broccoli + brown rice
Another salmon recipe…but it’s so good! If you don’t think you like fish or seafood, try it anyway — I didn’t think I did until I tried this recipe. I use the salmon marinade here. I usually steam the broccoli (if you don’t have a basket steamer, you need one) or roast it in the oven (though maybe a little less healthy than steaming, this is the BEST roasted broccoli recipe!). Serve with brown rice or quinoa.

2. Whitefish tacos with pineapple salsa + avocado crema
Again, if you don’t usually like fish, I challenge you to try this C+C original recipe.

3. Vegetarian chili
This recipe is DELISH. For real. I’m not going back to chili with meat!

4. Homemade pesto pasta + side salad
More like a big salad + side of pasta! Use either chickpea pasta, whole grain pasta, or pasta + protein (I have tried all three — pasta + protein is definitely the best in terms of flavor but chickpea in terms of healthiness — try that at your own risk!) To make homemade pesto, I follow this recipe. Add extra olive oil! It’s awesome. Don’t forget a giant salad…with a healthy dressing like this homemade lemon, italian, or balsamic vinaigrette.

5. Detox turmeric lentil soup
The turmeric in this recipe helps reduce inflammation…and again, lentils are an awesome source of protein! I was afraid this soup would be too turmeric-y for me (I just added 1 Tb. of turmeric)…but not at all! Find the recipe here: Turmeric lentil soup

*Don’t forget to check out my fertility shopping list + list of meal ideas!

The Best Fertility Diet Meal Plan + Recipes • Contentment + Chaos (2)

  • Save

Want more TTC tips, recipes + encouragement delivered straight to your inbox? Join the Contentment + Chaos community!
(+ get my favorite fertility-boosting smoothie recipe!)

The Best Fertility Diet Meal Plan + Recipes • Contentment + Chaos (2024)

FAQs

What is the fertility diet that works? ›

Research has suggested that diets high in things like whole grains, vegetables, fruit, and fish are associated with improved fertility (particularly in females);1 they can also help you get off to a healthy start in pregnancy.

What is the diet for IVF fertility? ›

IVF What To Eat
  1. Opt for lean proteins like chicken or fish.
  2. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and the more colors, the better.
  3. Swap to low-fat dairy options.
  4. Reduce sodium intake.
  5. Reduce red meat, added sugar, and processed foods.
  6. Use healthy fats like good quality olive oil, avocado, seeds, and nuts.

Is a low fodmap diet good for fertility? ›

If you don't have endometriosis, IBS (irritable bowel disease) or unexplained gastrointestinal problems, there is no known benefit of FODMAPs for fertility.

What is the fertility diet summary? ›

Choose whole grains and high-fiber foods when possible. Consume milk fat every day. Take a multivitamin with folic acid. Get plenty of iron from fruits, vegetables, beans, and supplements, but less from red meat.

What foods improve female fertility? ›

If you're looking to improve your fertility, focus on incorporating these foods into your diet:
  • Unsaturated fats (avocados, olives, canola and olive oils, nuts, seeds, peanuts)
  • Whole grains and legumes (beans, chickpeas, oats, farro, corn, arrowroot, quinoa)
  • Fruits and veggies (aim for a colorful plate)

What drink decreases fertility? ›

One study of more than 1200 Danish men aged 18-28 found that men who drank five units of alcohol per week (about three beers or three wines) had lower sperm counts and lower sperm quality measures than men who did not drink alcohol.

What food to avoid IVF? ›

Foods to avoid in your IVF diet plan:

Fizzy drinks, ice cream, refined sugar. High GI carbohydrates eg: potatoes, white bread, rice. Trans fats – these are found in margarine and baked foods (e.g. cakes and pies) Processed meat e.g. sausages.

What not to drink during IVF? ›

It is generally recommended that IVF patients should avoid drinking tea, coffee, or any kind of alcoholic beverages and they can have a negative impact on IVF success.

What improves egg quality in IVF? ›

Eat a healthy diet

Improving your overall health will also ensure that your eggs stay healthy and what you eat and drink plays a big part in this. Studies show that nutrient-rich foods such as fruit and vegetables, fish and grains can help to support your fertility.

Why do I feel worse on low FODMAP diet? ›

You may also be eating more starches and sugars from hyper-processed gluten free, low FODMAP packaged foods than usual, which may overwhelm the absorption capacity of a sensitive, hyper-active gut. If you suspect this, try eating more fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds and see how you feel.

Did low carb help you conceive? ›

A high-carb diet can also lead to obesity, which is similarly associated with fertility problems. Evidence to support using a fertility diet that is low in carbohydrates to improve fertility comes from studies that have found improvements in levels of reproductive hormones in women who follow such diets.

Can you get pregnant with gut issues? ›

Imbalances in the gut microbiota can alter this process, leading to imbalances in estrogen levels. Excessive levels of estrogen or the accumulation of certain estrogen metabolites can disrupt the delicate hormonal balance necessary for conception and successful pregnancy.

How to be super fertile? ›

Our top 15 tips on how to boost fertility include:
  1. Eating a delicious fertility-boosting diet.
  2. Having regular sex.
  3. Snacking on nuts.
  4. Understand what sperm-friendly cervical mucus looks like.
  5. Charting your menstrual cycle.
  6. Using ovulation sticks.
  7. Taking supplements.
  8. Working towards a healthier weight.

What foods improve egg quality? ›

The general advice for eating to achieve healthy eggs and sperm is to have a well-balanced diet which includes:
  • Plenty of fruit and vegetables a day.
  • Complex carbohydrates – whole grains like brown rice, oats and wholemeal bread.
  • Organic foods where possible.
  • Oily foods such as fish, nuts, seeds and oils.
  • Avoid trans fats.

Which fruit is good for fertility? ›

  • Apples: Apples are rich in antioxidants that improve the health of eggs and sperm.
  • Bananas: Loaded with Vitamin B6, bananas regulate hormones and improve egg and sperm development.
  • Citrus Fruits: Oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and other citrus fruits are packed with Vitamin C, vital for enhancing fertility.
May 25, 2023

Can a fertility diet really help you conceive? ›

Whether combined with fertility treatment or pursued on their own, changes in diet can have a significant and measurable effect on fertility.

How to prepare your body to get pregnant? ›

Planning for Pregnancy
  1. 1. Make a Plan and Take Action. ...
  2. See Your Doctor. ...
  3. Get 400 Micrograms of Folic Acid Every Day. ...
  4. Stop Drinking Alcohol, Smoking, and Using Certain Drugs. ...
  5. Avoid Toxic Substances and Environmental Contaminants. ...
  6. Reach and Maintain a Healthy Weight. ...
  7. Learn Your Family History. ...
  8. Get Mentally Healthy.

What to do to get pregnant faster? ›

7 Tips for Getting Pregnant Faster
  1. 1.Get a preconception checkup.
  2. Get to know your cycle.
  3. Don't worry about the best positions for getting pregnant.
  4. Stay in bed right after intercourse.
  5. Don't overdo it.
  6. De-stress any way you can.
  7. Live a healthy life.
Nov 27, 2023

How to become more fertile as a woman? ›

To protect your fertility, make these healthy lifestyle choices:
  1. Don't smoke. Tobacco use is linked with lower fertility. ...
  2. Limit or avoid alcohol when trying to conceive. Heavy drinking is linked with an higher risk of problems ovulating. ...
  3. Limit caffeine. ...
  4. Don't exercise too hard or too long. ...
  5. Avoid toxins.
Jan 9, 2024

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Reed Wilderman

Last Updated:

Views: 6340

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Reed Wilderman

Birthday: 1992-06-14

Address: 998 Estell Village, Lake Oscarberg, SD 48713-6877

Phone: +21813267449721

Job: Technology Engineer

Hobby: Swimming, Do it yourself, Beekeeping, Lapidary, Cosplaying, Hiking, Graffiti

Introduction: My name is Reed Wilderman, I am a faithful, bright, lucky, adventurous, lively, rich, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.