Heart Surgery Diet

Following a balanced diet for heart health is essential for everyone but it is crucial for patients who are about to undergo heart surgery in the near future. Utmost care is needed to avoid further complications after the heart surgery. Patients should religiously follow the doctor's instructions and advice, related to the heart surgery diet and lifestyle changes.

Diet plays an important role in weight control. It also helps to control insulin and cholesterol levels. Various nutrients obtained through a diet can strengthen the body systems. Healthy mind and healthy body go hand in hand and both are required to fight any type of disease. Pre-heart surgery diet helps patients enter surgery in the best possible health, which in turn reduces complications during and after the surgery. Adopting proper nutritional habits is crucial for recovery after the surgery, even if you had not given them much thought in the past. Post open heart surgery diet is always designed for a fast recovery which helps you avoid further health complications. Here are some tips for heart surgery diet plan.

Heart Surgery Diet: Tips

• Alcohol and smoking should be avoided.
• Herbs, instead of salt, can be used for flavoring various dishes.
• Good carbohydrates like whole-wheat versions of bread and pasta should be included in diet.
• 'Before heart surgery diet' includes healthy foods which are low in salt, saturated fat and cholesterol.
• Heart surgery diet with less than 2000 mg of sodium per day is suggested before surgery.
• Fatty dressings, sauces and butter should be replaced with low-fat salad dressings and unsalted margarine.
• Chicken without skin can be enjoyed by heart patients.
• Instead of vegetable oil, olive or canola oil can be used for cooking.
• Heart patients should eat lots of fresh or frozen vegetables. They should avoid canned vegetables as they might contain added salt.
• Instead of fatty cuts of meat, lean cuts of pork and beef should be included in heart surgery diet. Red meat should be avoided.
• For vegetarian heart patients, tofu, dried beans, unsalted peanut butter and unsalted nuts can provide the necessary quantity of protein.
• Dressings and sauces which contain high sodium and fat content should be replaced with natural herbs in order to add flavor to the dishes.
• Food items included in heart surgery diet, whether fresh, canned or frozen, should not contain added sugar. For instance, fruits or fruit juices.
• Heart surgery diet may vary from patient to patient as patients with other medical conditions, such as diabetes, may need to modify their diet plans further to include foods low in sugar.
• As far as possible, beverages containing caffeine should be avoided. Instead, patients can have unsweetened fruit juices as well as low-sodium vegetable juices, lemonade and soy milk.
• Fresh or frozen fish can be included in 'before heart surgery diet'. Fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that can help lower cholesterol. Fried fish should be avoided and grilled fish should be preferred by heart patients.
• High-fat dairy products and cooking oils should be strictly avoided. Low-fat versions of yogurt and cheeses, such as skim mozzarella can be included in 'before heart surgery diet' to obtain necessary calcium.
• A heart healthy Mediterranean diet which is high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fish can reduce the risk of death from heart disease. So it is recommended to heart surgery patients prior to their surgery.

Actually, the above tips are applicable to 'before heart surgery diet' and 'post open heart surgery diet'. After the surgery, for the first 1-2 days, the required energy will be acquired through saline only. Then gradually, the patient will be allowed to drink water or other beverages. At that time zero calorie beverages, preferably green tea can be given. When the patient is allowed to eat solid food, small meals should be consumed every two or three hours. It would be better if carb intake is initially limited to only fruits and vegetables. Within a week after the surgery, patients may have fruits and vegetables with every meal. They can have lean proteins. Patients should eat the food that contains plant stanols. Along with fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, whole grains can be then consumed as a part of high fiber diet which can help lower bad cholesterol level.

Heart surgery is a frightening procedure. But remember that only the stringent heart surgery diet can help you get better results before and after surgery. With a balanced diet, you can have the necessary strength to face the surgery and you can also expect a fast recovery. If you want to stay away from the cardiologist's office for the rest of your life, you should religiously follow the heart surgery diet recommended by the physician.