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January 20, 2021

Five Natural Foods That Aid Your Surgical Recovery

Today’s post is a guest post by Jamie Costello. 

Shortly after surgery, doctors and surgeons will provide you guidance on the best aftercare to ensure you can recover as quickly as possible. Generally, this mainly revolves around how you can best take care of your wounds and scars to prevent further complications including washing and massaging the scars.

Whilst this will be beneficial to your healing period, there are other steps to progress your recovery, including making changes to your diet. What you eat can have an influence on how well you recover. Essential nutrients and minerals that can aid healing as well as provide you with the energy you require.

Here are 5 natural foods that you can include in your diet to aid your surgical recovery.

Fruits

Image credit: Pixabay

Ever wonder why patients in the hospital are regularly gifted with fruit baskets shortly after their surgery? It’s because they have plenty of vitamins that are ideal for recovery. They contain plenty of vitamins A and C, fiber and antioxidants that are all beneficial for improving your healing period. In particular, berries have plenty of vitamin C that can rebuild collagen and rebuild your muscle tissue. Fruits to consider include:

  • Mangoes
  • Berries
  • Melons
  • Oranges
  • Apricots
  • Peaches

Vegetables

Image credit: Pixabay

You may remember in your childhood when your Mum made sure you finished your vegetables, and she had every right to suggest it. They contain some of the most important vitamins and minerals that help your surgical recovery. These include vitamin A and C as well as fiber which can be beneficial to reduce constipation. Constipation can put extra strain on your body and affect wound closures.

They’re also a great source of carbohydrates which you require for energy. Considering the strain your body would have gone through during the surgery, you’ll need all the energy you need to recover your mobility. Vegetables you could consider include:

  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels Sprouts
  • Potatoes

Leafy Greens

Vitamin K is a prime source of vitamin that can be obtained from eating leafy greens. They are a natural form of a multivitamin, including a range of vitamins including A, C and E. Vitamin K can promote blood clotting which can aid healing and prevent wounds from bleeding further.

As well as vitamins they’re also a great source of iron, magnesium, potassium and calcium. Leafy greens to consider include:

  • Collard Greens
  • Spinach
  • Turnip Greens
  • Bok Choy
  • Kale
Image credit: Pixabay

Whole Grains

The foods mentioned above tend to be obvious foods that we’d consider for recovery, but most of us often overlook the importance of whole grain foods which shouldn’t be the case considering they’re packed with nutrients and vitamins. They have protein and zinc which are essential for tissue repair, iron helps to transport oxygen to the wounds and magnesium helps to lift the defense mechanisms of your immune system.

Whole grains that you could consider include:

  • Barley
  • Quinoa
  • Oatmeal
  • Wild Rice

Fats

Believe it or not, there are fats that you can also eat to help aid your surgical recovery. They help to absorb vitamins from other foods in your diet and retain them in the body. This can make your immune system stronger and decrease the chances of getting infection.

On top of this they can also provide energy, Vitamin E and reduce the appearance of the scars you may have developed. Healthy fats that you can include in your diet include:

  • Avocado
  • Nuts
  • Seeds
  • Olive Oil

Utilising foods for recovery

If you’ve recently gone through a surgery, whether it be for cosmetic reasons such as a mummy makeover or for medical reasons like correcting a deviated septum, each of these food groups being included in your diet will be extremely beneficial to aid your recovery and provide a smoother healing process.

Jamie Costello is a Trainee Fitness Instructor, based in the UK. He’s currently on furlough at the moment but is utilising this time to expand his knowledge by researching and producing articles. He believes this will also increase his credibility on top of his other qualifications. He’s still doing workouts at home to pass the time as well as playing sports with any spare time he has.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Welcome to my blog!


Christine M. Palumbo, MBA, RDN, FAND


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Christine Palumbo Nutrition
3 months ago

Christine Palumbo Nutrition

Even if losing weight isn’t one of your goals, these nutritious recipes are worth adding to your meal rotation.
I’m honored to be featured in this piece, along with registered dietitian colleagues.
www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-recipes/healthy-soups-that-can-help-support-weight-loss/

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10 Healthy Soup Recipes for Weight Loss

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When you use healthy ingredients like veggies and lean protein, soup can be part of a healthy weight loss diet. For inspiration, try these 10 delicious and nutritious recipe ideas.

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Speaking Client List

Over 400 presentations, including several keynotes (partial list):

Corporate:

  • AAR Corporation
  • Abrasive Technologies
  • Ace Hardware Corporate Headquarters
  • Acres Enterprises
  • Advanced Urology Associates
  • Ambrosi Corp.
  • American Association of Endodontists
  • American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
  • American Board of Pediatric Dentists
  • American Hotel Register
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  • Arlington Automotive Services
  • Aquion
  • Associated Agencies
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  • Baker Tilly Virchow Krause
  • Barilla USA
  • Benet Academy
  • Berry Health Benefits Symposium
  • Blue Plate Catering
  • BP/ Amoco
  • Canopy Realtors
  • Carol Stream Fire Department
  • CBS Radio’s Spring into Shape Expo
  • Chapman and Cutler LLP
  • Chicago Dental Society
  • Chicago Dental Society-West Suburban Region
  • Chicago Heart Association
  • Club of Indian Women
  • Countryside Associates
  • Crown Media/Hallmark Channel
  • Discover Card Services
  • Dominick’s Finer Foods
  • DuPage County Police Chiefs’ Secretaries Association
  • Entertainment Cruises
  • EPKO
  • Family Festival of Surprises
  • Farm Foundation
  • Farmers Insurance Exchanges
  • Feeding America
  • Food Executive Women
  • Fox River Foods
  • Freedman Andelmo Lindberg
  • Girl Scouts of Fox Valley Council
  • Harbortown
  • Healthy Living Summit
  • Heartland Spa
  • Home Run Inn Pizza Corporate Headquarters
  • Horizon Publishing
  • HSBC Finance Corporation
  • Illinois Alliance for the Aging
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  • Ingredion
  • International Truck and Engine Corp.
  • INX International Ink
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  • Kellogg’s Marketing and Innovations Group
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  • Land of Lincoln Soybean Association
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  • Lucent Technologies
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  • Mobil Oil
  • Moneris Solutions
  • Museum of Science & Industry
  • MultiPlan, Inc.
  • Naperville School District #203
  • Naperville Women’s Forum
  • National Association of REALTORS
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  • NBC5 Health & Fitness Expo
  • NB Coatings
  • Near North Health Service Corporation
  • Nestle
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  • Northern Illinois University Graduate Colloquium
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  • Palos Community Hospital 30th Anniversary Keynote
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Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and its affiliates:

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  • Weight Watchers
  • Welch’s

Spokesperson Client List

  • American Egg Board
  • American Plastics Council (Food Safety)
  • Bimbo Bakeries (Arnold/Oroweat/Brownberry)
  • Boca Foods
  • California Raisin Marketing Board
  • Campbell’s Select Harvest Soups
  • Dean Foods
  • Dominick’s (Safeway)
  • Driscoll’s
  • Florida Department of Citrus
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  • Kellogg’s
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  • Mead Johnson
  • Michigan Cherries
  • Milk Processor Education Program
  • National Turkey Federation
  • Nature Well natural beef
  • Popchips
  • Quaker Oats
  • Sargento Foods
  • SuperTarget
  • United States Soybean Board
  • Welch’s
  • Wrigley Healthcare
  • ZESPRI Kiwifruit
Speaking

Cutting-edge nutrition that’s easy to understand

Topics for Groups

•  Making Positive Changes That Stick: Five Steps to Moving Out of That Cycle You’re Stuck In
• Supermarket Smarts: Avoid Food Marketers’ Tricks and Traps
• Anti-Stress Eating
• Cut the Fad Out of Diets: Select the Best Plan for You
• Defensive Dining: How to Eat Out & Keep Your Waistline
• Foods You Think Are Healthy….That Really Aren’t
• Forever Young: What You Can (& Can’t) Do To Slow the Aging Process
• How to Energize Your Life
• Is Your Job Making You Fat/Diet Wreckers in Your Desk
• Meal Solutions for Busy People
• Power Foods for Heart Health
• The Healthy Refrigerator: Stock Yours to Guarantee Nutritious Eating
• Top Five Nutrition Myths for Kids
• Top Ten Nutrition Strategies for Better Health

Specifically for Health Professionals
• Becoming an Expert Communicator: Making Communications Concise, Clear and Compelling
• Image 2020: What You Need for Professional Success
• Making Connections: Relationship Building for Career Success
• Engaging Readers: Nutrition Writing that Shines
• Keeping Current: Make Today’s Nutrition and Food Trends Work for You
• If the Media Calls: Are You Ready?

Corporate Consuling
Christine consults with public relations firms, food companies, restaurants, and not-for-profits.

She is available for:
• Developing nutrition education materials
• Spokesperson
• Exhibiting at professional meetings
• Writing/Marketing/PR
• Partnering with you on special projects
• Ideation sessions

Past clients
Over 500 presentations including Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and many of its affiliates, AAR Corporation,  Ace Hardware Corporate Headquarters, American Association of Endodontists, American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, American Board of Pediatric Dentists, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, Barilla USA, Berry Health Benefits Symposium, BP/ Amoco, Chicago Dental Society, Crown Media/Hallmark Channel, Discover Card Services, Entertainment Cruises, Feeding America, International Truck and Engine Corp., Kellogg’s Marketing and Innovations Group, Lucent Technologies, Mobil Oil, National Association of REALTORS, Navistar, Radiological Society of North America, Unilever Food Solutions, United Healthcare, U.S. Bank, Women’s Athletic Club of Chicago, YMCA of the USA, Zurich North America.
Full list available upon request.

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