5 easy ways to incorporate greens into your IVF diet plan

Sue Bedford (MSc Nutritional Therapy)

Green coloured fruits and vegetables are some of the healthiest foods you can eat. They help support the immune system, help detoxify the body, restore energy and vitality and have been linked in studies to reducing the risk of obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and mental decline. Greens have long been known to help with the formation of blood and the proper functioning of the circulatory system in the body.

And what about fertility?

Because they are low in fat, high in fibre, and an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium and magnesium, nitrates and folate (an extremely important nutrient that you want to get as much of as you can when trying to conceive and when pregnant), greens are a key colour to include plenty of in your diet when TTC.

Struggling to know how to include extra greens in your diet? Here are 5 easy ways that may help:

• Enjoy kale crisps or seaweed sheets as a snack
• Blend a handful of spinach or kale into a juice or smoothie
• Add some extra fresh herbs to your meals – basil, oregano, parsley and coriander are great for adding flavour to your dishes
• Add green veggies to your soups, stir-fries and stews
• Add them to your breakfast –why not enjoy avocado or spinach with poached or scrambled egg on sourdough? Or dip some asparagus into your boiled eggs?