Lynn
How to gain more nutrients after major surgery
I recently had major surgery and was left so weak and without any body nutritional help... I am looking for some help to get my body back on track...
Joanne Jackson
1
votes(Highest rated answer)
I'd suggest foods rich in nutrients to help your body to recover. Specifically you need foods rich in protein,calcium, vitamins C, B, D, magnesium, manganese and zinc. So this means including lots of fish, lean meat, eggs, nuts, and seeds for added protein, vitamins and minerals, plus green vegetables and fruit. Perhaps in addition you could consider taking a multi vitamin and mineral supplement, if you are not on any medication to boost your intake. If you are on medication, speak to your doctor before taking nutritional supplements. Avoid fizzy drinks and other high sugar foods.
Andrea Prochazkova
1
votes
Hi Lynn
As previously mentioned by Joanne, there are many essential nutrients you might be lacking. But it might be difficult to get an adequate amount of these to recover and gain strength quickly.
I would recommend to introduce green smoothies and green soups alongside a clean, healthy diet. Green vegetables like broccoli, spinach, leek and kale are rich in calcium, magnesium and vitamin K that can help to build bones and magnesium can increase your energy levels. Adding sweet potato will make the soup tastier and provide an abundant supply of vitamin A that is important for your energy levels as well as skin recovery after an operation.
You could have one cup of green smoothie or green soup before each meal (3x day) or drink these in between meals instead of water. You could also use homemade chicken broth from an organic chicken (to avoid consuming hormones, pesticides and antibiotics that can decrease your immune function) to make the soup – chicken broth is rich in collagen that can help to repair your skin after surgery and can supply you with lots of energy. You could add some organic coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil to the smoothie or soup – healthy fat is essential for the increased absorption of the vital nutrients present.
Vitamin C is critical not only to support your recovery and wound healing, but it can also provide you with lots of much needed energy. Berries and citrus fruits are a great source of vitamin C as well as other antioxidants that can help with your recovery – you could make a smoothie with berries and oranges or squeeze oranges/mandarins and drink these instead of water during the day. You could also do this with strawberries or lemons.
Significant increase in your intake of these antioxidant-rich fruits and green vegetables can support and speed up your recovery process and make you feel more energetic.
However, strive to avoid inflammatory foods like fried foods, sugar or processed foods that can lead to fatigue and prolonged healing.
As previously mentioned by Joanne, there are many essential nutrients you might be lacking. But it might be difficult to get an adequate amount of these to recover and gain strength quickly.
I would recommend to introduce green smoothies and green soups alongside a clean, healthy diet. Green vegetables like broccoli, spinach, leek and kale are rich in calcium, magnesium and vitamin K that can help to build bones and magnesium can increase your energy levels. Adding sweet potato will make the soup tastier and provide an abundant supply of vitamin A that is important for your energy levels as well as skin recovery after an operation.
You could have one cup of green smoothie or green soup before each meal (3x day) or drink these in between meals instead of water. You could also use homemade chicken broth from an organic chicken (to avoid consuming hormones, pesticides and antibiotics that can decrease your immune function) to make the soup – chicken broth is rich in collagen that can help to repair your skin after surgery and can supply you with lots of energy. You could add some organic coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil to the smoothie or soup – healthy fat is essential for the increased absorption of the vital nutrients present.
Vitamin C is critical not only to support your recovery and wound healing, but it can also provide you with lots of much needed energy. Berries and citrus fruits are a great source of vitamin C as well as other antioxidants that can help with your recovery – you could make a smoothie with berries and oranges or squeeze oranges/mandarins and drink these instead of water during the day. You could also do this with strawberries or lemons.
Significant increase in your intake of these antioxidant-rich fruits and green vegetables can support and speed up your recovery process and make you feel more energetic.
However, strive to avoid inflammatory foods like fried foods, sugar or processed foods that can lead to fatigue and prolonged healing.
Elizabeth Cooper
0
votes
Hi Lynn, thanks for your question and I hope you are starting to feel better. I would echo the points that Andrea and Joanne make and it could be that you don't feel much like food preparing and cooking at the moment so if there's someone who can do these things for you it would help you to rest up a bit. Also, after major surgery often it's hard to gain an appetite so it may be a good idea to make big batches of stews and soups with all of the ingredients in that Joanne and Andrea mention, maybe in labour-saving devices such as slow cookers and soup makers, and have them as and when you need them. Having soups, stews and broths is also a good way to gain more nutrients as you're using less energy for digestion so allowing your body to use energy for recovery. I hope this helps and you're soon on the mend.
Maria Mitchell
0
votes
Hello Lynn,
I hope you are feeling stronger. Major surgery is a shock for the body and good nutrition is essential to the healing process. If you have a poor appetite then try to eat little and often and ensure you are getting lots of fluids.
As my colleagues have mentioned there are key nutrients that the body requires when healing so you should try to ensure these are part of your diet. Zinc is key to healing and it can also help the body to deal with the after affects of any anaesthetic given. Good sources are almonds, oats, pumpkin seeds and split peas, some of these can be added to soups and stews. Vitamin C is also essential to healing so ensure you are getting lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, again if you struggle with appetite then add these to soups and smoothies. Also ensure sufficient quality protein as this is required for repair, easy to digest sources would be eggs, fish and slow cooked meats.
My colleague Andrea mentioned chicken stock, bone broth is once again becoming popular as it's is a nutritional powerhouse packed with all the essential mineral and nutrients that would especially benefit you in your recovery. If you are not able to make this then you can now buy preprepared good quality broth online, again add this to any base of soups, stews or sauces for that additional nutrient boost.
Finally major surgery can affect the microbiome of the gut, especially if antibiotics were given. Our gut health is essential to our overall wellbeing so it is important to support this. Add to your diet natural probiotic foods such as live yogurt, miso soup and apple cider vinegar. Garlic , beetroot and artichoke also contin inulin which will also encourage the growth of healthy bacteria.
You may also want to consider adding in supplements to help support you in your recovery but this must be done with caution as some supplements can interact with any medications so always consult a qualified nutrition practitioner.
I wish you a speedy recovery.
I hope you are feeling stronger. Major surgery is a shock for the body and good nutrition is essential to the healing process. If you have a poor appetite then try to eat little and often and ensure you are getting lots of fluids.
As my colleagues have mentioned there are key nutrients that the body requires when healing so you should try to ensure these are part of your diet. Zinc is key to healing and it can also help the body to deal with the after affects of any anaesthetic given. Good sources are almonds, oats, pumpkin seeds and split peas, some of these can be added to soups and stews. Vitamin C is also essential to healing so ensure you are getting lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, again if you struggle with appetite then add these to soups and smoothies. Also ensure sufficient quality protein as this is required for repair, easy to digest sources would be eggs, fish and slow cooked meats.
My colleague Andrea mentioned chicken stock, bone broth is once again becoming popular as it's is a nutritional powerhouse packed with all the essential mineral and nutrients that would especially benefit you in your recovery. If you are not able to make this then you can now buy preprepared good quality broth online, again add this to any base of soups, stews or sauces for that additional nutrient boost.
Finally major surgery can affect the microbiome of the gut, especially if antibiotics were given. Our gut health is essential to our overall wellbeing so it is important to support this. Add to your diet natural probiotic foods such as live yogurt, miso soup and apple cider vinegar. Garlic , beetroot and artichoke also contin inulin which will also encourage the growth of healthy bacteria.
You may also want to consider adding in supplements to help support you in your recovery but this must be done with caution as some supplements can interact with any medications so always consult a qualified nutrition practitioner.
I wish you a speedy recovery.
Sharon Scott
0
votes
Dear Lynn,
Thanks for your question.
I echo the above advice and would add that sleep is a hugely important factor in the recovery process. Aiming to get adequate rest and sleep each day may offer support to allow the body to heal. The recommended guidelines are 7-9 hrs each night.
Protein rich foods are the building blocks of life made up from essential and non essential amino acids that support repair and growth within the body, therefore I would recommend that you include protein with each meal and snack such as eggs, organic poultry, meats and wild fish. Also look to include a source of carbohydrate from root veg as well as omega 3 fatty acids from oily fish, linseeds, walnuts to support the inflammatory process following surgery. Including a rainbow of vegetables daily for the antioxidant and array of nutrients.
You may wish to look into supplementation with the amino acid L-Glutamine which can offer support to the gut lining. A healthy gut lining may support the absorption of nutrients. L-Glutamine may also support in maintaining healthy muscle tissue during periods of convalescence. L-Glutamine is also the precursor to Glutathione one of the major antioxidants which may prove supportive following major surgery.
Always consult a qualified Nutritional Therapist and check with your GP to ensure any contraindications are ruled out before starting supplementation.
I hope you feel better soon.
Best Wishes
Sharon
Thanks for your question.
I echo the above advice and would add that sleep is a hugely important factor in the recovery process. Aiming to get adequate rest and sleep each day may offer support to allow the body to heal. The recommended guidelines are 7-9 hrs each night.
Protein rich foods are the building blocks of life made up from essential and non essential amino acids that support repair and growth within the body, therefore I would recommend that you include protein with each meal and snack such as eggs, organic poultry, meats and wild fish. Also look to include a source of carbohydrate from root veg as well as omega 3 fatty acids from oily fish, linseeds, walnuts to support the inflammatory process following surgery. Including a rainbow of vegetables daily for the antioxidant and array of nutrients.
You may wish to look into supplementation with the amino acid L-Glutamine which can offer support to the gut lining. A healthy gut lining may support the absorption of nutrients. L-Glutamine may also support in maintaining healthy muscle tissue during periods of convalescence. L-Glutamine is also the precursor to Glutathione one of the major antioxidants which may prove supportive following major surgery.
Always consult a qualified Nutritional Therapist and check with your GP to ensure any contraindications are ruled out before starting supplementation.
I hope you feel better soon.
Best Wishes
Sharon
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