How to Support Your Body During the IVF Stimulation Phase

The IVF stimulation phase can feel exciting, overwhelming, and physically uncomfortable—all at the same time.

As your follicles rapidly grow, hormone levels rise dramatically, and your ovaries become much larger than normal. It’s common to experience bloating, fatigue, pelvic pressure, nausea, and emotional ups and downs.

One of the questions I hear most often is:

“Is there anything I should be eating during stimulation?”

The answer is yes, but perhaps not for the reason you think.

While nutrition during stimulation is unlikely to dramatically change egg quality (your eggs have been developing for months before your injections began), what you eat can help support your body, improve comfort, and create an environment that supports healthy embryo development.

1. Continue Following a Whole Foods Diet

The stimulation phase isn’t the time for restrictive diets or “fertility cleanses.”

Instead, continue eating a balanced, Whole Foods diet that emphasizes:

• Healthy fats 
• Quality protein
• Vegetables
• Fruit
• Whole grains
• Fish
• Nuts and seeds

One randomized controlled trial found women following a structured pro-fertility diet through stimulation had higher fertilization rates, produced more embryos, and had a greater proportion of high-quality embryos than women receiving standard dietary advice.

Consistency matters far more than perfection.

2. Prioritize Protein

As your ovaries enlarge, fluid shifts occur within the body. Eating adequate protein helps support fluid balance and may help lessen bloating and early symptoms associated with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).

Aim to include a source of protein at each meal and snack.

Good options include:

• Full fat Greek yogurt 
• Eggs 
• Chicken 
• Fish and seafood (avoid high mercury fish)
• Cottage cheese 
• Grass fed beef
• Bone broth 
• Beans and lentils

3. Stay Hydrated

Hydration becomes especially important during stimulation.

Many fertility clinics encourage women—particularly those at higher risk for OHSS—to increase fluid intake and include electrolyte-containing beverages.

Good choices include:

• Water
• Electrolyte packets (low in added sugar or artificial sweeteners)
• Coconut water
• Broth-based soups

One simple way to monitor hydration is checking your urine color—it should be pale yellow rather than dark yellow.

4. Eat Smaller Meals if You’re Feeling Bloated

As follicles grow, many women feel full much sooner than usual.

Instead of forcing large meals, try:

• Smaller meals every 3–4 hours
• Eating slowly
• Choosing easy-to-digest foods when nausea is present

If bloating is severe, temporarily limiting gas-producing foods (such as large amounts of beans, broccoli, cabbage, carbonated drinks, and artificial sweeteners) may improve comfort.

5. Keep Taking Your Prenatal (and Other Recommended Supplements)

Stimulation isn’t the time to stop your supplements.

Continue taking supplements recommended by your fertility physician or dietitian, such as:

• Prenatal vitamin with folate
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Vitamin D (if indicated)

Higher omega-3 levels during stimulation have been associated with higher clinical pregnancy and live birth rates in women undergoing IVF.

Always discuss any new supplements with a medical professional before starting them.

6. Prioritize Sleep

Sleep often gets overlooked during IVF, but it may influence treatment outcomes.

Research has found women sleeping fewer than seven hours per night retrieved fewer mature eggs and produced fewer good-quality embryos than women with adequate sleep. Poor sleep quality has also been associated with lower pregnancy rates.

Aim for:

• 7–8 hours of sleep
• A consistent bedtime
• Limiting screens before bed when possible

7. Modify Your Exercise Routine

During stimulation, your ovaries enlarge significantly.

High-impact exercise—including running, jumping, heavy lifting, HIIT workouts, and twisting movements—can increase the risk of ovarian torsion, a rare but serious complication.

Instead, consider:

• Walking
• Gentle stretching
• Easy yoga (avoiding deep twists)
• Light mobility work

Always follow your fertility clinic’s exercise recommendations.

Signs of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): When to Call Your Fertility Clinic

While mild bloating is common, contact your fertility clinic if you experience:

• Rapid weight gain
• Severe abdominal bloating
• Difficulty breathing
• Persistent nausea or vomiting
• Decreased urination

These can be signs of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and should be evaluated promptly.

Should You Eat Salty Foods or French Fries to Prevent OHSS?

If you’ve spent any time in IVF Facebook groups or online forums, you’ve probably seen the advice to eat salty foods—especially French fries—after your trigger shot or egg retrieval to help prevent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).

While this recommendation is incredibly common, there’s currently no evidence that increasing sodium intake prevents OHSS.

OHSS develops because fertility medications increase vascular permeability, causing fluid to shift out of the bloodstream and into the abdomen. Research suggests this process is driven by hormonal and vascular changes—not by a lack of sodium. In fact, during OHSS the body is already retaining sodium and water, so eating extra salt is unlikely to help and could theoretically contribute to additional fluid retention.

Instead of focusing on salty foods, focus on the habits that are supported by research:

• Stay well hydrated.
• Prioritize adequate protein intake.
• Follow your fertility clinic’s recommendations.
• Know the warning signs of OHSS and contact your clinic if symptoms worsen.

If French fries sound good after your retrieval, enjoy them! There’s absolutely nothing wrong with having them as part of a balanced diet. Just know that they’re not a proven strategy for preventing OHSS.

Final Thoughts

The stimulation phase isn’t about eating “perfectly.” It’s about giving your body the support it needs during an intense period of hormonal change.

Focus on the fundamentals:

• Eat balanced, protein-rich meals.
• Stay hydrated.
• Continue your recommended supplements.
• Prioritize sleep.
• Modify exercise to protect your ovaries.
• Listen to your body.

These simple habits won’t guarantee a specific IVF outcome, but they can help support your overall health, improve comfort, and prepare your body for the next steps in your IVF journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I improve egg quality during IVF stimulation?

Not significantly. Egg development begins about 3 months before ovulation, so most nutritional strategies that support egg quality should ideally begin well before your IVF cycle starts. During stimulation, nutrition is focused on supporting your body, reducing side effects, and creating an environment that supports embryo development.

Should I drink electrolytes during IVF stimulation?

Hydration is important during stimulation, particularly if you’re at higher risk for OHSS. Many fertility clinics recommend electrolyte-containing fluids alongside water, but recommendations vary by person. Follow your clinic’s guidance and aim for pale yellow urine as a simple indicator of good hydration.

Should I eat salty foods or French fries to prevent OHSS?

This is one of the biggest myths in the IVF community. Despite how often it’s recommended online, there is no evidence that eating salty foods prevents OHSS. OHSS is caused by hormone-driven fluid shifts—not sodium deficiency. Rather than loading up on salt, focus on staying hydrated, eating enough protein, and closely following your fertility team’s recommendations.

What foods should I avoid during IVF stimulation?

There isn’t a list of foods you must avoid during stimulation. Instead of restricting foods, focus on eating balanced meals and choosing foods that make you feel your best. If bloating is bothersome, temporarily reducing carbonated beverages, large amounts of gas-producing vegetables, and heavily processed foods may improve comfort.

Can I exercise during IVF stimulation?

Gentle movement like walking is generally encouraged, but because your ovaries become enlarged during stimulation, avoid running, jumping, heavy lifting, HIIT workouts, and twisting movements until your fertility team tells you it’s safe.

Looking for Personalized IVF Nutrition Support?

Preparing for IVF can feel overwhelming, and nutrition advice online is often confusing or contradictory. You don’t have to navigate it alone.

As a registered dietitian specializing exclusively in fertility and IVF nutrition, I help individuals and couples create realistic, evidence-based nutrition plans tailored to their unique medical history, fertility diagnosis, and treatment goals.

Whether you’re preparing for your first egg retrieval or navigating multiple IVF cycles, I’m here to help you feel confident in how you’re supporting your body.

Ready to get started?
Schedule an initial consultation to receive personalized nutrition guidance during your fertility journey.

About the Author

Written by Nicole Gardiner, MS, RDN

Nicole Gardiner is a registered dietitian specializing in fertility and IVF nutrition and the founder of IVF Nutrition Center. After navigating infertility, endometriosis, miscarriage, and IVF herself, Nicole combines lived experience with the latest scientific research to help individuals and couples optimize their health before, during, and after fertility treatment.

Her approach is evidence-based, compassionate, and realistic—helping patients feel empowered without unnecessary food rules or fear.

Scientific References

• Ghadimi Yari Y, Ghasemi-Tehrani H, Feizi A, et al. Effect of a Pro-Fertility Diet Combined With Omega-3 Supplementation on Embryo Quality in Infertile Women Undergoing IVF. Reproductive Biomedicine Online. 2026.
• Levi-Setti PE, Di Segni N, Gargasole C, et al. Ovarian Hyperstimulation: Diagnosis, Prevention, and Management. Seminars in Reproductive Medicine. 2021.
• Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Prevention of Moderate and Severe Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome: A Guideline. Fertility and Sterility. 2024.
• Yao QY, Yuan XQ, Liu C, et al. Associations of Sleep Characteristics With Outcomes of IVF/ICSI Treatment. Human Reproduction. 2022.
• Chiu YH, Karmon AE, Gaskins AJ, et al. Serum Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Treatment Outcomes Among Women Undergoing Assisted Reproduction. Human Reproduction. 2018.