Regardless of what type of surgery you have had or are scheduled to have, paying close attention to the food you eat is extremely important. What you put into your body can make a great impact on your recovery after surgery and on how fast you heal up and are able to return to normal daily activity. Eating the right foods and following post-op instructions from your ENT doctor will prevent complications and help provide the necessary nutrients that your body needs in order to heal quickly.
When coupled with small amounts of exercise, eating nutrient-packed, whole foods will make a positive impact on how you feel and how soon you will feel better and more like yourself. Below you will find a handful of healthy eating tips that should be followed by all surgery patients. If you have any questions about this information or would like to discuss your post-surgery plan with one of our ENT doctors in Arlington, Dallas or Fort Worth, please do not hesitate to contact our clinic.
Post-Surgery Tips
Depending on what type of surgery you had and your condition, you may be placed on a specialized diet. However, the following tips are a good place to start when it comes to eating healthy after surgery.
- Steer clear of processed foods. Processed foods have much higher amounts of fat, sugar, salt, and chemical additives, as well as less fiber and vitamins than whole foods. Sticking to a more nutritious diet and avoiding processed foods to the best of your ability will help ensure you are doing everything you can to give your body the power and nutrients to heal itself.
- Variety is good. Eating a range of healthy foods is a good way to make sure your body is getting different vitamins and nutrients, not just more of the same.
- Look for foods high in fiber. Including foods that are high in fiber after surgery is important, as they will play a major role in preventing constipation, which is a common complication after surgery. Stock up on whole grain breads, fruits, vegetables, and cereal from your local grocery store after surgery.
- Cut back on sugar and sweets. Pastries, candies, cakes, and other sugary foods may cause constipation and keep your body from naturally recovering from surgery.
- Focus on lean protein. Foods such as chicken, turkey, pork, and seafood all contain lean protein and should be incorporated into your post-surgery diet. If you do not eat meat, nuts, beans, tofu, and tempeh are a good source of lean protein.
- Fresh fruits and vegetables are important. Fresh fruits and vegetables are full of nutrients and fiber, which will help your recovery process after surgery. Do your best to incorporate items that are not processed, such as fresh green beans instead of canned beans.
Paying attention to what you eat and making a conscious effort to incorporate healthier foods into your diet post-surgery is an excellent way to speed up your recovery time and get you feeling back to normal as soon as possible.