Key Nutrients for Post-Surgery Recovery

During times of stress, like surgery, our nutritional requirements often increase to help aid strained immune defenses, maintain muscle mass, and support natural healing processes. 

How we choose to fuel our bodies can play a significant role in surgical safety, healing, and the speed of recovery, says the American College of Surgeons.¹

Read on to discover what to pile your plate high with, which foods should be avoided, and the key nutrients your body needs to support a quicker, more comfortable post-surgery recovery. 

Prior to surgery, during the perioperative period, many physicians recommend focusing on a higher protein, more nutrient-dense diet, and avoiding certain foods and beverages to help minimize risks and support a faster recovery.  

Of course, always consult with your provider for guidance before beginning any new diet regimen and closely follow their instructions. They will be the best resource in determining your unique nutritional needs, what you should eat, and when certain food options should be avoided or added around the time of your surgery.   

These include but are not limited to: 

• Processed and high-sugar foods

• Beverages containing alcohol and caffeine

• Fried and high-fat foods

• Foods with potential blood-thinning properties, like garlic and ginger

Support your body with balanced, nutrient-dense choices like these: 

• Lean, protein-rich foods like beans, nuts, tofu, chicken, and eggs

• Vitamin and mineral-packed:

• Dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, and Swiss chard

• Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and sweet potatoes

• Fruits and berries high in antioxidants, such as oranges, pineapples, and blueberries

• Nutrient-dense carbohydrates, including whole grains like brown rice and oatmeal

To ensure your body has the essential building blocks it needs for recovery during the postoperative period, your doctor may recommend prioritizing your intake of these nutrients:  

Surgery activates the body’s stress response. Because protein is required to support energy production, wound healing, and immune function, the breakdown of existing proteins can speed up, while the process of building new proteins can slow down. Paired with decreased activity, this can lead to a loss in muscle mass. Increased protein intake can help prevent muscle loss while adequately supporting recovery needs.²   

Many recommend skipping red meat during recovery, as it can be more difficult to digest than other protein sources. Instead, try reaching more easily digestible options like turkey, cottage cheese, greek yogurt, and chicken.  

Requirements for minerals like zinc, magnesium, iron, and calcium, and vitamins A, B, C, D, and K, also increase post-surgery in order to properly support blood oxygen levels, tissue repair and regeneration, immune and nerve health, energy production, muscle function, and bone density.  

Be sure to keep the following on hand:

• Zinc-rich foods: oysters, poultry, nuts, and seeds

• High-magnesium foods: leafy greens, beans, quinoa, and nuts

• Calcium-rich foods: milk, yogurt, cheese, fortified orange juice and nut milks

• High-iron foods: poultry, legumes, spinach, eggs, apricots, and dates

• Vitamin A-rich foods: carrots, kale, pumpkin, and red bell peppers

• Foods high in B-vitamins: chicken, avocados, almonds, bananas, and soybeans

• Vitamin C-rich foods: yellow peppers, citrus fruits, brussels sprouts, and strawberries

• Foods high in vitamin D: mushrooms, egg yolks, cheese, and fortified cereals

• Vitamin K-rich foods: broccoli, asparagus, parsley, and dark leafy greens

However, as you’ll discover below, not all vitamins are recommended around the time of surgery.

Antioxidants

Oxidative stress – an imbalance in the body’s ability to fight off harmful free radicals – can spike following surgical procedures, which may contribute to an increased risk of certain complications like infection. Eating a diet rich in antioxidant fruits and vegetables is the best way to support the body’s natural defenses against free radicals. 

Other antioxidants, like the pineapple-derived enzyme bromelain, and quercetin, a potent bioflavonoid found in cherries, berries, apples, and certain flowers, have been shown in research to further support recovery by helping balance the body’s inflammatory response. 

To remove the guesswork and help ensure your body receives the required levels of key vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants during recovery, physician-formulated Clinical Support Formula delivers optimal nutrient dosages at ideal times of day for maximum absorption and support. 

In addition to cutting out certain foods and beverages, certain dietary supplements should also be avoided. Vitamin E, some herbal supplements, and fish oil can all pose potential risks. Click here to learn more.