After having surgery of any kind, you need to make sure that you are looking after your body properly by eating the right foods! Whether you’ve had plastic surgery Manchester based or a knee replacement in London, eating the right foods can help to aid you recover as healthily as possible. Just remember that you need to follow your surgeon’s advice first and foremost, as there may be some foods that they advise you to avoid.
Smoothies
One of the best things that you can eat after surgery is smoothies, as they are easy to digest, packed full of nutrients, refreshing and so delicious. You may not have the energy to sit and eat a full meal, so smoothies are a great alternative, as they are filled with goodness so you can just sit there and sip away!
A really simple smoothie recipe is half a banana, half a cup of mixed frozen berries, a tablespoon of chia seeds, 100ml of apple juice and 100ml of water. This recipe contains protein, antioxidants and essential vitamins to help your body to recover. If you prefer tropical flavours, swap the mixed berries for mango and swap the apple juice for pineapple juice!
Soups
Sort of along the same lines, we have soups! They’re really easy to batch make so you could prepare them before your surgery. They are really warming, you can fill them with protein and veggies and they are easy to prepare.
A great recipe would be chicken and vegetable, as you will have the perfect combination of protein and nutrients, plus it tastes delicious. For vegetarian or vegan diets, lentil soups are so delicious! You can make your favourite soup recipe, such as carrot and coriander or butternut squash and red pepper, then you can add a cup of lentils. This makes the soup so nice and thick, and it also adds a great protein source.
Healthy Fats
Healthy fats are another really important food for your recovery, as they help you to absorb all of the nutrients you are eating. Plus, you can make some really delicious recipes with them! One of the best things you can make are salad dressings, as it will encourage you to eat a wide variety of fruit and vegetables without compromising on flavour.
For a super-green and delicious salad dressing, combine a handful of basil, a handful of spinach, half a cup of cashews, two cloves of garlic, the juice of half a lemon and 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Blend until you have a really smooth sauce and enjoy with a big, hearty salad. You could also sprinkle some extra nuts or seeds in the salad for both protein and healthy fat.
Whole Grains
Another great thing to eat when recovering from surgery are whole grains, as they provide the body with essential nutrients, to in turn help support the immune system when your body needs it most. Plus, they’re really filling and satisfying, and can help to prevent constipation after surgery.
Whole grains include barley, brown rice, buckwheat, bulgur wheat, oatmeal and whole wheat bread and pasta. They can easily be added to salads, oven bakes or anything else really! Having a few different whole grains in your cupboard will really help you to make delicious and nutritious foods to help your body recover.
Final Thoughts
Looking after your body after surgery is essential and eating the right foods is one of the best ways to do it! As we said, follow your surgeon’s advice first and foremost.