When you’re creating embryos for surrogacy, every decision feels high-stakes—including what you eat.

Many intended parents consider the paleo diet for IVF as a way to boost embryo quality before transfer to a surrogate. It’s a natural instinct—to optimize every variable you can.

Embryos ready or in progress? We can help you get started with your surrogacy journey. Get started now.

In this guide, we’ll break down what the research says about nutrition and embryo development, explore the emotional weight of “optimizing everything,” and show how American Surrogacy can help you take the next step.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as medical or nutritional advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider, such as a registered dietitian or fertility specialist, before making dietary changes related to IVF or fertility treatment.

Does the Paleo Diet for IVF Improve Embryo Quality for Surrogacy?

If you’re creating embryos for surrogacy, you’re probably looking at every possible way to improve success—including what you eat. The paleo diet for IVF is often promoted as a way to support egg quality and reduce inflammation before retrieval.

While evidence is mixed, there’s logic behind the approach: nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods may help create a healthier environment for eggs and embryo development.

Just know that no diet is a silver bullet—but your efforts to optimize do matter.

And when your embryos are ready, you don’t have to figure out the next step alone.

Learn more about how you can prepare for your egg retrieval and ensure the best chances of success for your IVF and surrogacy journey.

What is the Paleo Diet for IVF?

The Paleo diet gets its name for aiming to mimic Paleolithic ancestors eating habits. The diet consists of consuming foods like:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Lean meats
• Fish
• Eggs
• Nuts, and seeds

The goal of the paleo diet is to remove the consumption of processed foods, grains, legumes and dairy products.

What the Research Really Says About the Paleo Diet and Embryo Quality

If you’re considering the paleo diet for IVF as part of your surrogacy plan, it’s important to separate hype from evidence.

While clean eating can support general fertility health, there’s limited research tying paleo specifically to better embryo outcomes.

That said, diets rich in antioxidants, healthy fats and low-glycemic foods may contribute to egg quality and embryo development, especially for older intended mothers or those with hormonal imbalances.

Nutrition is one part of a bigger picture. The right surrogacy team ensures your embryos have the best possible chance—from lab to life.

Pros and Cons of the Paleo Diet

Like most diets, there are several benefits to choosing the Paleo diet for IVF, but there are also some concerns.

Pros of the Paleo Diet for IVF

• Improved blood sugars: The limitation of carbohydrates and refined sugars creates improved blood sugar control, this is essential for healthy ovulation and implantation.
• Weight management: Keeping and managing a healthy weight is a key component to overall health. This correlates to a positive impact on fertility.
• Inflammation reduction: The focus on lean proteins and healthy fats helps limit inflammation. Systemic inflammation is linked to being problematic during IVF, as it has negative impacts on the uterus, cervix, and placenta. Limiting these risks improves fertility success rates.

Cons of the Paleo Diet for IVF

• Nutrient deficiencies: Because of the limitations on what you should consume, such as cutting out dairy completely, there can be calcium, vitamin D, fiber, and other vitamin deficiencies.
• Saturated fat intake: With such a high intake of saturated fat, this can negatively impact heart function, blood flow/circulation, which has direct ties to negatively impacting fertility.
• Limited fiber: When you eliminate foods like grains and legumes, you are limiting your fiber intake. This can potentially cause gut health and other digestive problems.
• Cost: Whole foods are proven to be more expensive than processed foods. Budgeting for groceries can become a challenge with ever changing prices.

Why Surrogacy Is a Powerful Step for Parents Creating Embryos

If you’re exploring the paleo diet for IVF as you create embryos or you already have embryos from previous IVF attempts, you’re doing everything you can to support this process.

That same intention and care is what makes surrogacy such a strong next step. You can still use your own eggs and embryos—but give them the best chance to thrive in a healthy, well-supported surrogate.

With professional guidance, emotional support and a legally protected process, American Surrogacy helps you move forward with clarity and confidence.

When Traditional IVF Isn’t Working: The Mental Toll of Trying Everything

Following the paleo diet for IVF, or any strict fertility regimen, can offer a sense of control. But over time, the pressure to “optimize everything” can lead to diet fatigue, guilt and emotional burnout.

When you’ve endured failed transfers, poor embryo quality or a uterus that just won’t respond despite doing everything right, it’s normal to feel defeated.

Here’s the truth: this isn’t the end of your journey, just a turning point. Surrogacy offers a new way forward. Your embryos can still be used, but carried by ascreened surrogate in a healthy, supportive environment.

If cycles have failed or your doctor recommends a different approach, explore how surrogacy could be your next empowering step. Talk to a surrogacy specialist.

How to Know If You’re Ready for Surrogacy

You may already be preparing your body with the paleo diet for IVF, freezing embryos or scheduling retrievals. But when it comes to moving forward with surrogacy, how do you know you’re truly ready?

Ask yourself:

• Do you feel confident in your embryo quality or fertility plan?
• Are you focused on outcomes over carrying the pregnancy yourself?
• Are you emotionally ready to trust someone else with this part of your journey?             
• Do you want expert help coordinating the legal, medical, and emotional side of this process?

If your answer is “yes” to any of these, then you may be more ready than you think. And we’re here to walk with you, every step of the way.

Your Next Steps

Whether you’re just beginning to explore surrogacy or you’re ready to match with a carrier for your embryos, we’re here. Trusted by hundreds of families, American Surrogacy offers:

• Personalized matching based on your needs
• Legal and emotional support throughout the journey
• A proven, compassionate team by your side

 Let’s build your family together. Fill out our form for a free consultation.