Surgery is just one way that doctors use to help improve a person’s quality of life. It can be surgery to repair something that isn’t working as well as it once was, to remove something that’s harming the body, or to implant something that will help the body function better. Whatever the reasons for your loved one’s surgery, his first steps after the surgery are often coming home and recovering.
While some surgeries have a fairly short recovery time, and others a longer recovery time, one way to quicken recovery time and give your loved one the strength and stamina his body needs for recovery is to make sure he is eating well and fueling his body with important vitamins and nutrients that will supplement the healing process. Since recovery is often exhausting, it helps if your loved one can have a post-hospital care provider help with meals and nutrition during this recovery time.
A post-hospital care provider should also be informed of any foods your loved one can’t have or that the doctor has recommended staying away from. Different surgeries may have different guidelines, so having your post-hospital care provider put the doctor’s recommendations at the top of your loved one’s diet will expedite his healing process.
In addition to what the doctor orders for diet after surgery, have your post-hospital care provider add these foods to the shopping list and on the menu plan to aid in recovery.
- Healthy Fat. Why worry about fat? That’s because healthy fats will help your loved one’s body absorb the vitamins that he’s going to receive from the other healthy foods that will be part of his recovery diet. Fat also has the important job of decreasing the risk of infection and increasing a body’s immune system.
- Berries. Berries are one sweet addition that not too many people will complain about eating. From blueberries to strawberries to raspberries and everything in between, berries provide essential antioxidants which are packed full of nutrients to help the body repair damage from the surgery.
- Dark, Leafy Green Veggies. Put away that iceberg lettuce and bring out the leafy veggies that provide a nice dark green hue to the salad or side dish. Items like spinach, kale, and even romaine lettuce are packed with vitamins A, C, and E, as well as vitamin K, which helps in blood clotting.
- Eggs. One little egg is packed full of nutrition to help your loved one recover more quickly from his surgery. It has 6 grams of protein, along with vitamins A, E, and K, Calcium, Iron, and so much more. They are also easily palatable for someone who might be struggling to eat much after surgery and is a great first food to introduce.
- Greek Yogurt. Yogurt is full of probiotics which is essential to getting those digestive tracts back in order. Anesthesia, painkillers, and antibiotics required for surgery can wreak havoc on gut health causing lots of discomfort. The probiotics found in yogurt can help get everything moving smoothly again.
While recovering from surgery can be a difficult time for your loved one, eating well during this time frame can help him get back to his old self in no time.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Post-Hospital Care in Upland, CA, please contact the caring staff at Calvary Senior Care today at (866) 710-8767
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