The Right Nutrition after a Major Surgery

If you have undergone a surgery recently, it is important to know that the right kind of diet and nutrition can play a major role in your immediate recovery and in the prevention of surgical complications such as constipation. Healthy foods can provide the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that can speed up healing of wounds and scars. Here are some tips on how to have a healthy diet to help you on your way to the road of recovery.

1. Eat more fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables contain nutrients and fibers that can help greatly in your recovery. It is always better to include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet but frozen and canned items can also be good. If you are going to cook the vegetables, it would be a better idea to steam or boil them instead of frying.

1. Focus on lean protein

Protein can promote wound healing and tissue regeneration. However, you should always opt for lean protein such as chicken, turkey, pork, seafood, eggs, low-fat dairy, and soy products. Limit intake of red meat. Although this is a good source of protein, it also has high level of saturated fat that can trigger constipation.

1. Go for a high-fiber diet

Having a high-fiber diet is important for your recovery after a surgery. Eating high-fiber foods is one of the most effective ways to prevent constipation, which as mentioned earlier, is often a complication after a surgery. Whole grains are good sources not only of fiber but also of vitamins and minerals. Whole grain breads, cereals, rice, fruits, and vegetables are the best way to add fiber into your diet.

1. Stay away from foods that cause constipation

While fiber can prevent constipation, some other foods can increase risk of this health problem. These foods include dried foods, processed foods, sweets, dairy products, cheese, milk, and red meat. Avoid these foods as much as possible, as constipation can increase level of pain and put more stress on your incision.

1. Consume healthy fats

Some healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids have an anticoagulant effect and can be taken in the form of omega-3 fish oil capsules. Food sources of omega-3 include fish, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds.

1. Do not forget about probiotics

Probiotics are essential in your post-surgical nutritional diet because these are friendly bacteria that help control bad bacteria and fungi that cause intestinal problems. By eating yogurt or taking probiotic supplements, you can have sufficient friendly acidophilus or lactobacillus in your body to aid in strengthening of the immune system. Just remember not to take a probiotic if you are still on intravenous antibiotic.

1. Increase intake of antioxidants

Vitamins A, C and E and minerals like selenium are excellent antioxidants that can fight off free radical formation. Fruits, vegetables, particularly those that are dark green in color and citrus, berries and cherries have high levels of antioxidating vitamins and minerals that can assist in your post-surgical recovery.

Studies have proved that people with healthier diets recover faster than those who do not. Always remember, a healthy diet can be instrumental in speeding up the healing process.