Eat Your Way Toward Proper Healing After surgery, our body uses more energy and requires more nutrients to heal adequately. Regular meals should become a part of your daily schedule for at least the duration of your healing to ensure you get the nutrition your body needs. Meals should be well-balanced to obtain all the nutrients necessary for tissue repair. Your body needs more protein, calcium, and vitamin C during this time, so many of your
calories should come from foods high in these nutrients. Take careful note of the food sources listed below. IMPORTANT: These recommendations are for diet / food only and not for vitamins/ supplements. Please speak to your medical provider/ surgeon about which vitamins you should NOT take before/ after surgery.
NUTRIENTS
HELPS WITH:
FOUND IN:
Protein
healing, tissue repair and regrowth
meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, cheese, legumes, soy products, nuts, seeds
Carbohydrates
energy for healing and preventing protein/muscle breakdown
fruits, vegetables, legumes, breads, cereals, rice, pasta, grains
Fats
absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, immune response, energy
oils (e.g., olive, canola, sunflower), nuts, seeds, avocado, salad dressings, margarine, butter
Calcium
building/maintaining bones and muscle contraction
milk, cheese, yogurt, soy products, turnip and mustard greens, collards, kale, broccoli, almonds
Iron
forming hemoglobin and carrying oxygen **best when eaten with vitamin C rich foods
liver, lean red meat, poultry, fish, iron-fortified cereals, legumes, dark leafy greens, dried fruit
Zinc
helps in wound healing, component of enzymes
meat, liver, eggs, oysters and other seafood
Vitamin A
helps in wound healing and growth, maintenance of skin
carrots, sweet potatoes, dark yellow or green leafy vegetables, milk, cheese, liver, egg yolk
Vitamin D
helps in bone healing and calcium absorption
fortified milk, butter, margarine, fortified cereals, liver, fatty fish, egg yolk
Vitamin E
antioxidant/disease-fighting properties (do NOT take supplements seven to ten days before surgery)
vegetable oils (e.g., corn or sunflower), beef liver, milk, eggs, butter, green leafy vegetables, fortified cereals
Vitamin K
helps wound healing response and blood clotting
green leafy vegetables, fatty fish, liver, vegetable oils
Vitamin C
building connective tissue, essential nutrient for healing
citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, greens, raw cabbage, melon
Fiber
essential for maintaining healthy bowel movements – very important after surgery!
pears, avocado, apples, bananas, carrots, broccoli, brussels sprouts, lentils and other beans, quinoa, sweet potatoes, chia seeds, almonds, oats
Other Considerations: Stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water (generally six to eight cups per day or more). Always have a water bottle handy!
Eat Your Way Toward Proper Healing | Spine Program at The Miriam Hospital | 401-793-2435