A varied plate
Include vegetables, fruit, whole grains and a range of protein foods. Favor a pattern you can sustain rather than a rigid list of allowed and forbidden foods.
RCA Fertility · Resources
Nutrition, Diet & Supplements
A balanced diet and a reviewed supplement plan can support general health as you prepare for egg donation or donor-egg treatment. The right approach differs for donors, intended parents and the person carrying a pregnancy.
Explore the guide ↓Educational content updated October 9, 2026
Food first
Everyday nourishment. Thoughtful supplementation.
Build a pattern that works with your culture, budget, appetite and routine. There is no single fertility menu that fits everyone.
Enough nourishment
Discuss restrictive eating, food insecurity, major weight changes or trouble meeting your needs. A registered dietitian can help make a practical plan.
Make it workable
Choose a few dependable meals, keep easy snacks available and plan for appointments. Bring questions about nausea, food preferences or dietary restrictions to your team.
Individual context
Nutrition belongs in the health conversation.
Thyroid disease, metabolic conditions, medications and dietary restrictions may change what is appropriate. Review your health history before adding a supplement. The goal is a plan with a clear reason, rather than a growing collection of products.
ACOG: preparing for pregnancy ↗Supplement review
Start with the purpose, then review the product.
Folate & pregnancy preparation
If you may become pregnant, discuss folic acid before conception. Your clinician can review the amount and any reason you may need a different plan. Egg donors who are not trying to conceive have a different clinical context.
Vitamins & minerals
Ask whether your diet or medical history raises a concern about iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D or another nutrient. A need should be assessed; taking more does not necessarily help.
Prenatal and overlapping products
Check labels together. A prenatal, multivitamin and separate supplements may contain the same ingredients. Avoid combining products without reviewing the totals.
Antioxidants & fertility blends
CoQ10, antioxidant combinations and other fertility-marketed products need a discussion of the evidence, who was studied and the outcomes measured. Marketing language does not establish benefit for your situation.
Herbs & concentrated extracts
Treat botanicals, powders and teas marketed as treatments as part of your supplement list. Ingredients may interact with medicines or matter around anesthesia and procedures.
Small pills & tolerability
Capsule size, taste and formulation can affect comfort. Small green softgels in our imagery are illustrative; color and size do not establish ingredients, safety, absorption or fertility benefit.
Your pathway
The plan should fit the person and the stage.
For egg donors
Share all medicines and supplements during screening. Ask the donation team which products are compatible with the planned cycle and when any changes are needed. Food or supplements cannot substitute for eligibility screening.
For intended parents
Discuss the plan for each person involved. Someone carrying the pregnancy may need pregnancy preparation; a sperm provider has a different assessment. Using donor eggs does not remove the need to review the pregnancy carrier’s health.
Around retrieval or transfer
Confirm nutrition, activity, supplement and fasting instructions directly with the team responsible for your procedure. Do not change a prescribed treatment based on a general wellness guide.
Bring to your visit
One list. A clearer review.
Keep the brand, ingredient list, amount, frequency and reason for each supplement in one place. Photographs of labels can help your clinician identify overlapping ingredients.
- What need is this addressing?
- What evidence applies to me?
- Does it interact with my medications or planned procedure?
- When should we review whether I still need it?
Clinical care & science
Nutrition is one part of the wider picture.
A healthy eating pattern supports general health. No food or supplement can guarantee egg quality, embryo development, implantation or a live birth. Discuss fertility outcomes separately from general wellness.
ASRM: diet and natural fertility ↗Common questions
A more informed supplement conversation.
Is an RCA-branded bottle a product recommendation?
No. The bottles in these editorial images illustrate a discussion about supplements. They do not identify a sold product, formula, dose or approved treatment.
Should I buy a fertility supplement bundle?
Begin with a review of your needs and the complete labels. More products can create duplication and additional cost. Ask what, if anything, would change your care.
Do I need a dietitian?
Ask about a referral if you have restrictions, difficulty eating enough, a medical condition affecting nutrition, or want help making a sustainable plan.
Sources & next steps
Continue the conversation.
This guide is general education. Your clinical team and appropriately qualified professionals help you decide what fits your situation.
USDA MyPlate ↗ASRM: diet and natural fertility ↗ACOG: preparing for pregnancy ↗NIH: dietary supplements ↗NIH: folate ↗FDA: supplement and medication interactions ↗
Source links checked October 9, 2026. Guidance may change.
Your next conversation
Bring your questions to RCA.
Ask about nutrition review, appropriate complementary support or counseling referrals. Use the public contact route for general questions; share medical records and private details through your approved secure care channel.
Talk with the RCA team →