RE-INTRODUCING FOOD AFTER SURGERY

In hospital you will commence on fluids, then will quickly progress to soft foods before reintroducing normal solid foods again. Initially you will need to eat 6-8 small meals each day, but over time you will be able to manage slightly larger volumes of food less often.
Try to eat every couple of hours if you can tolerate it.

SNACK IDEAS

NEW EATING HABITS

• Eat small, frequent meals. Try not to miss meals and keep snacks handy throughout the day.
• Have high protein foods with every meal and snack. These include: meat, chicken, fish, eggs, dairy (milk, yoghurt, cheese, custard) and legumes (baked beans, kidney beans, tofu and soy products, lentils, split peas etc)
• Chew, chew, chew!
• Avoid filling up on low calorie foods like salads, clear soups, diet drinks, tea and coffee.
• Avoid drinking with meals. Stop drinking half an hour before meals, and wait half an hour after meals before drinking again.
• Sit down to meals, don’t rush or eat on the run.
• Let fizzy drinks go flat before drinking.
• You may find that moist, soft meals are easier to manage, e.g. try a casserole instead of a dry steak. White bread can also be a bit tricky to swallow sometimes. Try adding a sauce to meals.
• If you are experiencing reflux, stop eating 2 hours before bed and don’t lie down after eating. Try elevating the head of the bed.
• Don’t eliminate foods unless they cause you discomfort. Do speak to your dietitian about replacing them with alternative foods!

FORTIFYING YOUR FOODS

ENSURING GOOD NUTRITION

If you are finding it difficult to eat adequate amounts of food and are still losing weight there are plenty of options for you to increase the nutrient density without increasing the volumes.

• Continue drinking daily supplement drinks as these provide an extensive range of nutrients. Try Impact, Ensure, Resource Fruit Beverage, TwoCal or Sustagen. See your Dietician to help find you the most suitable option.
• It is advisable to take a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement after surgery. (For example Centrum or Cenovis). To avoid constipation, add a fibre supplement such as Benefiber or Metamucil daily, and prune juice once-twice per day.
• Include all foods groups – this provides you with an extensive range of nutrients in the form that will be absorbed most by your body.
• Ensure adequate calcium intake: eat plenty of calcium rich foods, especially dairy, fortified soy and tofu products. Other calcium containing foods include fish (with edible bones), nuts and seeds, green leafy vegies, eggs and fruit including figs and citrus.
• Consume plenty of iron containing foods, such as red meat, poultry, fish, legumes, enriched cereals and whole-grain products. Eat these with Vitamin C containing fruits and vegies (strawberries, kiwi fruit, broccoli, capsicum and tomato) and avoid eating them with caffeine to increase iron absorption in the gut.
• Exposing your face and forearms to sunshine for 10 minutes each day helps produce Vitamin D in the skin.
• If the thought of food is making you feel ill, avoid strong smells, stay away from the kitchen and try eating cold foods only. This should increase your appetite.
• Light exercise daily will help your bowels and improve your appetite.
• Visit the dietician to ensure your diet is nourishing, meeting your energy requirements and is nutritionally complete.

SAMPLE MEAL PLAN

Use this sample meal plan as a guide. It will give you a general idea about the types and quantities of foods you should be having. Remember to drink plenty of fluids – aim for 1.5 – 2 litres daily.