When you're in the stimulation phase of IVF, your body is working overtime to grow follicles, balance hormones, and prepare for egg collection. The meds can make you feel:

• Bloated

• Nauseous

• Constipated

• Ravenous one minute and totally full the next

That’s why your snacks need to be gentle, nutrient-rich, and blood-sugar-friendly. They should keep you full without making you feel heavy — and ideally support egg quality, hormonal health, and your emotional wellbeing too.

What Makes a Snack IVF-Stim Friendly?

• 🌱 Protein-rich (for hormone synthesis + blood sugar balance)

• 🥬 Rich in antioxidants (to protect growing follicles)

• 💧 Hydrating (you need more fluids during stims)

• 🧘 Bloat-minimising (light, non-inflammatory, easy on digestion)

• 🍳 No added sugar or processed junk (which can spike insulin and disrupt hormones)

My Go-To Stim Snacks (Tried & Tested)

1. Boiled Eggs + Green Smoothie

(This one was an easy go to for me as you can easily get a snack pot of eggs and a juice from Tescos lunch deal)

🥚 2 boiled eggs + a cold-pressed juice with kale, spinach, and vitamin C

• Boosts: Protein, choline, B12, antioxidants

• Perfect for: Pre-scan mornings, after injections

2. Avocado Rice Cake Stack

🥑 Smashed avocado + lemon + pumpkin seeds on brown rice cakes

• Boosts: Healthy fats, zinc, fibre

• Gentle on digestion and great for skin + lining health

3. Greek Yoghurt with Berries + Hemp Seeds

🍓 High-protein yoghurt + fresh berries + sprinkle of hemp or flax

• Boosts: Gut support, omega-3s, calcium

• Optional: Add a dash of cinnamon for blood sugar control

4. Hummus + Cucumber or Carrot Slices

🧆 Chickpea-based snack = protein + fibre

• Boosts: Iron, folate, vitamin E

• Optional: Add boiled egg or falafel for more satiety

5. Mini Smoothie Bowl

🍌 Frozen banana + spinach + almond milk + nut butter + chia on top

• Boosts: Magnesium, healthy fats, gentle energy

• Tip: Serve in a bowl and eat slowly for better satiety

6. Warm Oats with Pear + Almond Butter

🥣 Easy to digest and comforting

• Boosts: Soluble fibre (for constipation), slow-release carbs

• Tip: Add sunflower seeds for hormone-friendly vitamin E

What to Avoid

• ✖️ Sugary cereals or juices

• ✖️ Processed bars with soy protein isolates

• ✖️ Fizzy drinks or sugar-free gums (can worsen bloating)

• ✖️ Heavy fried snacks or big carb-only portions

Gentle Reminders for Snack Time

• Eat slowly. IVF meds can make you more sensitive to fullness.

• Drink water with lemon throughout the day.

• Keep snacks small but frequent if you're feeling bloated.

• Listen to your body — some days you might need more protein, others more comfort.