Give In Kind is honored to feature Stephanie McKercher, RDN, of The Grateful Grazer. Here, she considers how eating impacts recovery from surgery.
Along with added energy and protein, you can help support a speedy recovery from surgery by including foods that support a strong immune system and protect from free radical damage.
These five healthy snacks are rich sources of immune-boosting nutrients like vitamin C, zinc, and beta-glucans. They’re also a convenient and delicious way to meet increased nutritional needs in order to promote quick recovery and adequate healing.
- Four Sigmatic Mushroom Hot Cacao Mix with Guarana, Chili and Rose Hip Mushrooms have been studied extensively for their potential immune system benefits. Their ability to support our macrophages and natural killer cells is thought to be in part due to their high beta-glucan content. Along with adding mushrooms to your meals, try including them in beverages like this hot chocolate mix.
- Vigilant Eats Goji Cacao Superfood Cereal This delicious cereal blend combines beta-glucan-rich oats with antioxidant-packed goji berries to create a snack or breakfast that’s perfect for recovery after surgery. Goji berries are a great source of vitamin C, which is needed to make collagen for repairing tendons, ligaments, and surgical wounds.
- Pumpkin seeds. I love the idea of these crunchy snacks, which provide a balance of replenishing energy from protein, carbohydrates, and fats. The pumpkin seeds are also a good source of zinc, which plays an important role in the healing process.
- Dried Banana. Banana is a great source of quick energy and also contains fiber to promote optimal digestion. Bananas are considered a prebiotic because they help feed the good, immune-boosting bacteria in our guts, making them an especially good choice for someone who is healing after surgery.
- Mattole Valley Naturals Matcha Whey Protein Powder No. 9 . I often recommend protein shakes to my clients who are recovering because they are so energy dense and easy to drink. This whey protein powder contains all of the essential amino acids needed for healing, along with matcha green tea powder for an added boost of protective antioxidants.
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