Perhaps the most important nutrients in your post-surgery diet are vitamins and minerals. Vitamin A (found in orange and dark green veggies like carrots, sweet potatoes, kale and spinach) and vitamin C (found in citrus fruits, berries, potatoes, tomatoes, melons, and sweet bell peppers) help with wound healing.
There are some foods that can slow down your recovery or increase your risk of complications after surgery. These include alcohol, processed foods, caffeine, and foods that are high in sugar.
Glycoalkaloids from the Solanaceae plant family, which includes potatoes, tomatoes and peppers, can inhibit enzymes in the human body and cause toxicity of certain biological transmitters. Through their enzymatic blockade, SGAs can also interfere with the metabolism of anesthetic drugs and muscle relaxants.
So what are anti-inflammatory foods? They include lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, plant-based proteins (like beans and nuts), fatty fish, and fresh herbs and spices. Fruits and veggies: Research shows that vitamin K-rich leafy greens like spinach and kale reduce inflammation, as do broccoli and cabbage.
Promote Wound Healing with Good Nutrition
Choose vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C, such as broccoli or strawberries. For adequate zinc, choose fortified grains and protein foods, such as beef, chicken, seafood or beans. Some wounds may require a higher intake of certain vitamins and minerals to support healing.
Eating foods high in potassium will benefit you in many ways. Foods that are high in potassium are: Fruits: Bananas, Cantaloupe, Kiwi, Mango, Honeydew, Peaches, Papaya, and Pomegranate. Vegetables: Artichokes, Avocados, Beets, Mushrooms, Okra, Sweet Potatoes, Squash, and Tomatoes.
Therefore, should you eat chicken and eggs after a surgery? Yes, it is completely safe and even advisable. However, if you are still not convinced and do not feel comfortable eating them, it is also alright to skip the chicken and egg. Nevertheless, remember to get your protein from the other sources as mentioned.
Protein – Protein is essential to wound healing, so try to get plenty of foods like chicken and eggs. Vitamin C – Some research shows that Vitamin C and zinc can help with healing, so eat the recommended amount of fruit each day.
Summary. Certain foods, such as potatoes and eggplants, contain chemicals that even in small amounts can slow down the metabolism of common anesthetic drugs. Foods eaten days before surgery could significantly delay recovery.
The white flesh of potatoes are a good source of tryptophan, an amino acid that has sedative properties, helping in keeping you stress-free and your nerves calm.
Helps to Relax. According to the book Healing Foods, white potatoes are rich in tryptophan, which has natural sedative properties.
Patients, who eat solid food too soon after their operation, run the risk of dislocating the band. This can necessitate another surgical procedure. Some kinds of food will be more difficult to eat after the operation, and will need to be chewed thoroughly.
After surgery you may not be able to eat or drink right away. When your body is ready, your doctor will likely tell you to follow a clear fluid diet for 1 to 3 days. This means you will not be able to eat solid foods. Sometimes your doctor will tell you to follow a full fluid diet before eating solid foods.
Limit unhealthy foods, such as those that are high in fat, sugar, and salt. Examples include doughnuts, cookies, fried foods, candy, and regular soda. These kinds of foods are low in nutrients that are important for healing.
Dairy products can be an excellent source of healing after surgery as they contain a lot of protein. But many people experience constipation after consuming dairy products after surgery.
Yogurt contains healthy bacteria that can help restore gut health after antibiotics and surgery. Yogurt is also easy to tolerate; it is unlikely to cause nausea or vomiting after surgery. And it contains zinc and protein, two nutrients that promote healing.
8) Bright Coloured Fruits
Including fruit in your diet is very key, especially the brightly coloured ones such as oranges, apples, berries and tomatoes to ensure you get a good dose of vitamin A, C, carbohydrates, fibre, antioxidants and calories. These essential nutrients help your body to bounce back.
Blood sugar levels may rise after surgery, so it is advisable to avoid foods that are high in refined sugar such as cakes, cookies, chocolate, sweetened drinks and soft drinks.
Potato and wound healing
Turns out, potatoes contain nutrients that are beneficial for wound healing, says Dr Jain. They are rich in vitamins C and B6, and potassium as well as fiber. They have natural anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce swelling and ultimately, promote healing.
High content of zinc and protein present in milk and yoghurt helps in the healing process of the wound.
It also nourishes and repairs dehydrated, scarred or mature skin. - It accelerates the healing process to wounds and skin burns. Applying avocado to raw wounds helps in quick healing and also prevents scarring.
Acute, or Inflammatory Phase
The inflammatory phase begins immediately following your surgical procedure and is characterized by swelling, redness, and pain. This stage can last from a few days up to six weeks, and it is during this time that your body is doing all it can to protect the affected area.