The foods seniors eat after surgery could have a positive or negative impact on their recovery. Eating the right foods can prevent high sugar and blood pressure levels, constipation, and other health complications. Here are some of the healthy foods your senior loved one needs to eat so he or she can heal while recovering from surgery.
1. Whole Grains
When serving breads and cereals, make sure the items are whole grain. Whole grains provide a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Your loved one can prevent immune system issues by eating whole grains post-surgery.
Caring for an aging adult who’s recovering after surgery can be challenging. If you’re the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Clearwater, live-in care is available if your loved one’s health has become too difficult to manage without professional expertise. At Home Care Assistance, we take measures to help seniors prevent illness and injury by assisting with exercise and mobility, preparing nutritious meals, helping with bathing and other personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
2. Berries
Berries contain plenty of antioxidants, which are powerful nutrients that help the body repair damage. The highest levels of antioxidants can be found in the following types of berries:
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Strawberries
- Pomegranates
3. Nuts
Nuts contain healthy fats that provide the body with energy that can be used to exercise and stay physically active while on the road to recovery. In addition to nuts, your loved one should eat seeds, such as flaxseeds.
4. Kale
Older adults recovering from heart surgery should eat foods that prevent their arteries from clotting, such as kale. Kale is a leafy green vegetable that gives the body healthy doses of vitamins A, E, and C. Spinach and romaine are other green leafy vegetables seniors should eat post-surgery.
You can ensure sure your loved one eats healthy foods each day by hiring a professional
caregiver to cook nutritious meals. Although it may be challenging to find reliable, highly rated home care, you can turn to Home Care Assistance. Our respite and live-in caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with a wide array of important tasks, including cooking, bathing, light housekeeping, and exercise.
5. Turkey
Turkey is a lean meat that contains collagen, which is an abundant protein the body uses to heal tissues. After surgery, your loved one’s body will require more protein, especially if there are incisions to repair. Other forms of lean meats your loved one should eat during recovery are fish and chicken.
6. Yogurt
Fermented dairy products like yogurt play a key role in immune system function post-surgery. The antibiotics your loved one takes during recovery could reduce the amount of beneficial bacteria in the body. However, your loved one can repopulate his or her gut bacteria with yogurt, kefir, and other fermented dairy products.
7. Prunes
It’s important for your loved one to stay hydrated and active after having surgery so his or her body can maintain its normal route of elimination. In addition to drinking plenty of water and exercising, your loved one can eat prunes to prevent constipation.
8. Sweet Potatoes
These vegetables contain vitamin A, which is needed to repair the skin, mucus membranes, and soft tissues following surgery. Sweet potatoes are a super source of beta carotene, which converts into vitamin A.
9. Olive Oil
When cooking your loved one’s meals, use olive oil instead of vegetable or coconut oil. Olive oil is a healthy fat that strengthens the immune system and fights against infections. The vitamins in olive oil also help wounds heal faster.
10. Herbal Teas
Although foods high in water content are beneficial, herbal tea is a more appealing way to stay hydrated. Drinking herbal teas may help your loved one meet his or her fluid requirements after surgery and while taking medications.
Recuperating seniors often need help preparing meals. In Clearwater, elderly home care providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at Home Care Assistance are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Rely on the professionals at Home Care Assistance to provide high-quality compassionate care for your loved one. Give us a call today at (727) 330-7862 to learn about our flexible in-home care plans.