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Can I Eat Poha After Embryo Transfer?

You know how hard you have worked to get to this stage. From infertility issues to choosing to undergo IVF and successfully completing it, you have come a long way.

The main thing you need to do now is to eat healthy and take care of your body. Your diet plays a vital role after embryo transfer as it is the source of nutrients for you and your developing baby.

Poha is one food that many people have doubts about whether they can eat it or not. In this article, we will discuss whether you can eat poha after embryo transfer and the foods you can eat and avoid during this period.

Can I Eat Poha After Embryo Transfer?

Yes, you can absolutely eat poha after embryo transfer. Poha is nothing but flattened rice flakes that are obtained from beating rice flat.

Poha has several terminologies in the Indian subcontinent. In Tamil, it is called “Aval”. Poha is a powerhouse of several essential nutrients like carbohydrates, iron, vitamins, minerals, etc. This makes it a popular food choice for pregnant women.

There are several types of

  • poha available in India:
  • White poha – made from white rice
  • Red poha – made from red rice
  • Brown poha – made from brown rice

You can consume the type of poha you prefer based on the type of rice you usually have.

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Nutritional Benefits Of Poha

Poha is a popular food choice not only for pregnant women but also for almost all cultures in India. It has very high nutritional benefits, and the recipes made from it taste delicious, too. Below are some nutritional benefits of eating poha.

  • Poha is rich in iron. It helps prevent anaemia and maintains healthy blood flow to the uterus. This can help embryo implantation.
  • Its high carbohydrate content provides a steady source of energy for pregnant women. This makes it a preferred breakfast meal.
  • Poha is packed with B vitamins like thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin. All these are crucial for brain function and energy metabolism of both the baby and mother.
  • Poha is a light food that can be easily digestible. This prevents you from having any digestive issues.
  • Poha is also low in fat and calories, which saves you from excessive weight gain from other unhealthy foods.
  • Poha has a low glycemic index (GI), which can help keep blood sugar levels steady during pregnancy.
  • Poha is low in gluten, making it an excellent food choice for pregnant women who are intolerant to gluten.

Dietary Recommendations Post Embryo Transfer

Indian foods are rich in essential nutrients and are the best choice for Indian mothers rather than foreign food options. here are some food recommendations for post embryo transfer.

  • Proteins: Lentils (dal), paneer, chicken breast, fish (lean cuts), chickpeas (chana).
  • Dairy: Green yoghurt, cottage cheese, skimmed milk.
  • Complex carbohydrates: Brown rice, oats, whole wheat roti, sweet potato.
  • Healthy fats: Nuts (almonds, walnuts), seeds (chia, flax), avocados, olive oil, salmon.
  • Fruits and vegetables: Spinach, broccoli, kale, carrots, bananas, apples, and berries (strawberry, blueberry).

Foods To Avoid

Your health should be of the utmost importance to you after embryo transfer. It is important for you to understand what you should and should not eat to avoid any complications after embryo transfer that can decrease your chances of pregnancy.

Below are some foods that you should absolutely avoid after an embryo transfer.

  • Caffeine: Excess caffeine can affect your hormonal balance and affect implantation. Even if you can’t totally avoid caffeine, try to limit its content as much as you can.
  • Alcohol: Alcohol consumption can cause complications in your IVF treatment. Ensure you don’t consume it during your pregnancy.
  • Raw foods: Never eat anything raw, whether it is seafood, poultry, or vegetables. Only eat thoroughly cooked foods.
  • Processed foods: Stay away from processed, junk, or fried foods during the entire course of your IVF treatments.
  • Unpasteurized dairy: Unheated dairy has the risk of carrying the bacteria listeria and causing illness in pregnant women. So, only consume dairy after it is pasteurized.

Conclusion

Poha is a great choice of food to maintain your health after an embryo transfer. It has several nutrients that can help with your implantation and healthy pregnancy.

If you have any concerns regarding what to eat and what not to eat after embryo transfer, consult your fertility doctor or a dietician. They will give you a personalized plan that suits your needs.

FAQs

1. Can I drink milk during IVF?

Yes, you can. The protein and calcium in milk can help your body meet its daily requirements. Ensure your milk is boiled to kill the bacteria in them.

2. Can I eat seafood during pregnancy?

Of course, seafood is one of the foods that can provide you with most of the essential nutrients you need during pregnancy. But ensure you only eat fully cooked fish. Raw, undercooked, and high-mercury fish can potentially risk your pregnancy.

3. What is the best food to eat after embryo transfer?

You need to get as much protein as you can during pregnancy. Proteins are the building blocks of the body. So, you should eat protein-rich foods for your and your baby’s healthy growth.

Protein-rich foods like fish, beans, legumes, nuts, cheese, and sprouts are some of the best foods to eat during pregnancy.

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Dr Niveditha

Dr. Niveditha is the co-founder of The Hive Fertility and Research Centre. She is a young and passionate fertility expert who aims to provide high-quality fertility treatments to her patients. During her 10+ years of service as a fertility expert, she has helped several hundreds of patients overcome their infertility and become parents. She also specializes in the fields of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive endocrinology

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