Diet after surgery

Diet after surgery

The heart is the most important organ in the human body as it pumps blood to all other body organs. As all organs are connected through veins & arteries, the blood flow helps in the proper functioning of every body part. As the human body is fragile, without good care it can be easily prone to health breakdowns and diseases. In recent years, heart disorders have become quite common all around the world. Some of the most common heart problems include heart attack, cardiac arrest, arrhythmia, heart failure, stroke, and hypertension, etc.

All these disorders might be due to genetic factors, old age or some other underlying disease. In severe cases, heart surgery might be required to restore the proper functioning of the heart.

Types of heart surgeries

• Congenital heart surgery – As the name suggests, this is performed for the treatment of hereditary problems in the heart i.e. family history.

• Arrhythmia surgery – This surgical procedure is done for correcting the irregularities in the heart rhythms.

• Aortic surgery – This surgical procedure is performed for repairing and replacing aortic dissections & aneurysms.

• Aortic valve surgery – The main motive behind this surgery is the replacement or fixing up of a faulty aortic valve.

• Myectomy – Myectomy is performed to remove a piece from the expanded wall of the heart.

• Heart transplant – This is an advanced surgical procedure done to replace the heart when it is unable to transfer the required amount of oxygenated blood to all the organs.

• Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) – CABD is performed for the treatment of a serious coronary heart disorder i.e. when plaque accumulates in the arteries.

• Angioplasty – This is done to unblock or widen the contracted & blocked arteries.

Best food after surgery

Diet after surgery- A healthy diet doesn’t only help in preventing, but also in treating all kinds of health problems, including heart disorders. Nutritious foods can help in keeping you fit, both internally and externally. The human body is just like a machine. Thus, if you don’t fill it with the right fuel, all of its parts can get jammed & become obsolete.

If a person has undergone heart surgery, then a healthy diet after surgery will play a major role in his recovery. Eating nutritious foods can help in minimizing the after-effects of the surgery, while also helping in restoring health. To help you better, here is the list of best foods diet after surgery that you need to consume.

• Fruits & vegetables – Fruits are one of the healthiest and most nutritious foods. These help in purifying the blood and producing energy in the body. Fruits can help in restoring heart health through potassium, vitamins, minerals and fiber contents.

Vegetables are also an excellent source of vitamins, potassium, antioxidants, folate, fiber, and other essential elements. Therefore, you need to consume as many green leafy vegetables as possible.

Some of the examples of heart-friendly vegetables include kale, spinach, lettuce, and collard greens, etc.

• Whole grains – Whole Grains are fiber-rich foods that contain highly nutritious components i.e. Germ, Endosperm & Fiber. Whole grains help in eliminating the bad cholesterol from the body, thus reducing the chances of a heart disorder. Some of the examples of whole grains include brown rice, oats, cereal, quinoa, barley, and whole wheat, etc.

• Berries – Berries are considered to be the best heart-friendly foods as these very rich in antioxidants and nutrients. You need to include different types of berries in your diet plan, such as strawberry, blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry, etc.

• Walnuts – Walnuts are an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and omega-3s. In medical research, walnuts have proven to reduce the risk of heart diseases by eliminating bad cholesterol from the body. Thus, you need to consume a few walnuts regularly to restore your heart health.

The Dark Chocolate

Dark Chocolate prepared using more than 70% cocoa content, can help in restoring your heart’s health and prevent further problems. This type of chocolate is rich in antioxidants that help in boosting your cardiovascular health.

• Avoid trans fats – Trans Fats are very harmful to your overall body health, including your heart. Consuming trans-fats in excess can lead to blockage in the arteries i.e. Bad Cholesterol, which further leads to heart disorders. Some of the foods rich in trans-fats include bakery products, cookies, cakes, popcorn prepared in a microwave, etc.

• Saturated fats – Excessive consumption of saturated fats can lead to blockage in arteries due to plaque accumulation. This is why you need to avoid foods with saturated fats after heart surgery. Some of the common examples of these foods include full-fat dairy products, pork, cheese, fatty beef, and butter, etc.

• Almonds – Almonds are rich in fiber & healthy fats, which help in restoring your heart’s health while preventing future problems. Medical studies have shown that almonds can help in controlling cholesterol levels to a great extent. This is why you need to include almonds in your daily diet plan.

 Healthy Seeds

A small seed can help in growing a full tree, which shows how powerful and nutritious it can be. Various seeds like chia seeds, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, and hemp seeds, are very rich in fibers, nutrients, and omega-3 fatty acids. Including these in your diet plan can help in preventing heart problems, cholesterol issues, and blood pressure fluctuations.

• Fish with healthy fats – There are many types of fishes that contain healthy fats and omega-3 fatty acids. Both these contents help in restoring the health of the heart faster after surgery. Some of the examples include salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel, etc.

• Green tea – Green tea offers a large number of health benefits like antioxidants, insulin stimulation, and weight loss. Medical research has proven that green tea can help in reducing inflammation and damaging the cells. Thus, it can easily improve your heart health & prevent further harm by controlling cholesterol levels.

•  Other foods – Other food items that can help in restoring heart health include beans, lentils, carrots, tomatoes, lean meats, dried fruits, and fat-free dairy products, etc.’

The conclusion

Therefore, you need to take proper precautions with your food habits, to prevent heart disorders. If you have undergone heart surgery due to some reason, you need to have a heart-friendly diet plan. By including these food items in your daily life, you can easily restore your heart’s health, while also preventing future heart problems.

Also, you can always get in touch with a licensed dietician to get a personalized diet after the surgery plan made for you. Your diet is 80% responsible for your overall health and the rest 20% depends upon exercise.