What foods can you eat after surgery and why, according to doctors and medical professionals? Find out more below…
After surgery your body needs time to heal. Whether you were involved in an accident, are a victim of surgical negligence, or choose to have cosmetic surgery, eating plenty of vitamins post-surgery can have a number of benefits.
Once you have been given the go ahead to eat and drink again after your surgery, it’s important to take things slow. It’s usually recommended to drink some water, followed by foods that are easy to digest, such as soup or yoghurt.
Depending on how your body reacts to this, you can progress to other types of food, but you should still be mindful of what you are putting into your body. The following article will discuss the food that doctors recommend you eat after surgery and the foods you should avoid and why…
Foods that are recommended after surgery
There are a number of foods that doctors recommend that you eat post-surgery in order to speed up the healing process and keep your body as healthy as possible. This includes:
Berries
After a surgery, eating foods that contain antioxidants can be incredibly beneficial. It can help the body repair damages as well as provide protection against diseases. Adding more berries, which are also high in vitamin C, to your post-surgery diet is highly recommended by doctors.
They recommend berries like:
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Grapes
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Goji berries
- Pomegranates
Other helpful foods containing antioxidants include sweet potato, oranges and tomatoes.
Vegetables
When your body is healing, it’s also important to consume a large number of vegetables throughout the day. After a surgery you may feel fatigued, but eating vegetables which are a healthy source of carbohydrates can help you get back your energy.
Additionally, vegetables contain vitamin A and C as well as fibre, all of which can help you get stronger and reduce constipation. Here are a few of the vegetables you should consider be adding to your post-surgery diet…
- Cabbage
- Brussel sprouts
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Kale
- Spinach
- Sweet bell peppers
- Broccoli
Healthy fats
Consuming healthy fats is a great way to reduce the chance of an infection and strengthen your immune system. Doctors recommend eating:
- Nuts and seeds
- Healthy oils, including olive oil, fish oil, and coconut oil
- Fish
- Avocados
This is because eating healthy fats after a surgery can give you more energy throughout the day, as well as increasing your Vitamin E intake to help scars to fade.
Leafy Greens
Leafy greens contain a lot of helpful vitamins. These include:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- B-complex vitamins
All of these vitamins are incredibly good for the body, especially when it is feeling fragile after a surgery. They can help to reduce the chance of blood clotting, as well as providing the body with more iron, calcium, potassium and even magnesium.
Doctors recommend you eat the following leafy greens after surgery:
- Spinach
- Romaine lettuce
- Swiss chard
- Bok choy
Eggs
Eggs and other forms of lean protein, such as seafood and turkey, are a great addition to your post-surgery diet. Eggs, in particular, are filled with a huge amount of nutrition which play a big part in helping the body to recover.
This includes protein, vitamin A, E and K, folic acid, iron, calcium, and much more.
Water
Although it is not technically a food, water is essential after a surgery. Despite being constantly overlooked, drinking water is the best way to reduce dehydration and help you to recover.
It is common to need a larger amount of fluid in your body after a surgery so don’t forget to drink plenty. You can also reduce hydration by consuming the following:
- Herbal teas
- Coconut water
- Soup
- Smoothies
Food that doctors do not recommend for after a surgery
There are a few foods that you should avoid after surgery in order to give your body the best chance of recovery. This includes:
Fried food
Fried food contains a huge amount of trans fats, which are known to increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
After a surgery, your body and digestion system will most likely feel fragile, so eating fried foods can make you feel nausea and even cause vomiting. Additionally, this type of food can increase blood pressure and even your cholesterol.
Processed foods
There are many different types of processed foods for example:
- Fizzy drinks
- Crisps
- Biscuits
- Frozen meat
- Breakfast cereals
These types of processed foods should not be eaten after a surgery, as they contain very few of the vitamins that will help you recover and little nutrients.
Constipation-inducing foods
When recovering from surgery, it is a good idea to avoid foods that cause constipation. Pain medications often used during and after surgery may decreases the patient’s ability to move their bowels.
To reduce the chance of constipation don’t eat foods like:
- Dairy produce including milk, butter and cheese
- Red meats
- Processed grains
What food do doctors recommend after surgery?
Understanding what foods are good and what is bad for your body after a surgery is a great way of speeding up your recovery.
Foods that are high in vitamins and minerals like vegetables, berries, and leafy greens will give you the energy and strength to recover. Meanwhile, processed food, dairy products and fried foods that are high in fats are more likely to cause constipation and an increased risk of blood pressure.
Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained medical professional. Be sure to consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you’re seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.