Nutrition: Phase 1/Post-Operatively
Drink 64-80 oz WATER per day
Eat Whole Foods- eat an orange vs orange juice; baked potato vs fries
General
Antioxidants- prevention of free radicals, repair damaged tissue, helps body protect and repair itself
Berries, grapes, spinach, pomegranate, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries
Vegetables- healing tissue, vitamins/minerals
Carrots, sweet bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes, potatoes
Fats- (nuts, oil, fish)- strengthens immune system, absorb vitamins/minerals, energy, vitamin E
Olive oil, avocado, coconut oil, nuts, seeds, almonds
Dark leafy greens- vitamins A,C,E, K essential for blood clotting
Kale, spinach, Swiss chard, Bok choy, romaine
Meats and other alternatives- high amount of protein (amino acids) helps repair muscle tissues and speeds up healing.
Chicken, salmon, cod, rockfish, turkey, beans, lentil, nuts, eggs, tofu
Probiotics- healthy bacteria fights germs and infection
Yogurt, sauerkraut, acidophilus
Brightly colored fruit- vitamin A, C, carbohydrates, fiber, antioxidants Oranges, apples, berries, melon, apricots, peaches, grapes, grapefruit, mango, papaya, tomatoes
Whole grains- carbs needed for brain function and nerves, prevents muscle breakdown Whole wheat, steel cut oats, quinoa, wild rice
Calcium- bone strength, nerve impulse regulation, blood clotting and muscle strength….. kale, yogurt, almonds
Carbohydrates- energy for muscle, brain and nerves….whole grains, carrots, sweet potatoes
Fiber- system regularity… raspberries, nuts, beans
Iron- red blood cell production… garbanzo beans (hummus), spinach, cashews, beets Magnesium- promote healing, decrease pain, improve sleep… nuts, seeds, avocado Potassium- cell growth, heart tissue… squash, sweet potato, white beans
Protein (Amino Acids)- helps rebuild damaged tissue, speeds up incision healing… eggs, poultry, beans
Vitamin A- helps build new bone, muscle and skin tissue… carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots
Vitamin B- create red blood cells, brain function… meat, seafood, eggs
Vitamin C- provides collagen needed for repairing tendon and ligament tissue… oranges, strawberries, bell peppers
Vitamin E- antioxidant, helps make healthy red blood cells and use vitamin k… sunflower seeds, swiss chard, asparagus
Vitamin K- blood clotting… brussel sprouts, broccoli, romaine lettuce
Foods to Avoid:
Sugars- food and soft drink… weakens immune system, high in bacteria Processed Food– white, sweet, packaged foods… blood sugar spikes, drains energy, constipation
Alcohol- blood thinner/slows blood clotting, impairs immune system Dairy- digestion problems, inhibits nutrient absorption
Breakfast
Cannot get enough eggs/egg whites
Yogurt/Açaí bowls, smoothie- protein shake (granola, berries, almond milk/butter, honey, chia seeds, cinnamon)
Steel cut oatmeal (cinnamon, vanilla, almond milk/butter, honey, blueberries)
Potatoes, brown rice, quinoa
Fruit (mango, papaya, grapefruit, melon, apricots, peaches) cereal with almond milk
*acidophilus- supplement to drink or bowl
*saltwater flush- 1 cup water and ½ tsp sea salt, once per week
*herbal tea the night before
Lunch
Soup- lentil, broccoli, potato, chicken noodle, bean, tomato
Salad- (kale, spinach, romaine, seeds, apple, almond, carrot, avocado, tomato, lemon, cucumber)
Sandwich- turkey, tuna, egg salad (light mayo), mustard, romaine, avocado
Dinner
Fish, chicken, pasta (avoid cream sauces/alfredo, salad, sweet potato, wild rice, quinoa, beans, broccoli, brussel sprouts, bell peppers, asparagus, spinach, cauliflower, carrots, beets
(Breakfast for dinner)
*Drink herbal tea or laxative tea once per week, drink saltwater mix following am.