Meal Prep for Surgery

Meal prepping before surgery can help ensure that you have nutritious and convenient meals ready to go during your recovery period. Here are some tips for meal prepping before surgery:

1. Plan Your Meals: Take some time to plan out your meals for the days leading up to and following your surgery. Consider including a balance of protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, and plenty of fruits and vegetables to support your body's healing process.

2. Stock Up on Staples: Make sure you have essential pantry staples and ingredients on hand for meal prepping, such as whole grains, lean proteins, canned beans, nuts, seeds, frozen fruits and vegetables, herbs, spices, and cooking oils.

3. Prepare Freezer-Friendly Meals: Cook and portion out meals that can be stored in the freezer and easily reheated when needed. Examples include soups, stews, casseroles, and pasta dishes. Divide meals into individual portions and store them in freezer-safe containers or resealable bags for convenience.

4. Prep Grab-and-Go Snacks: Prepare healthy snacks and grab-and-go options that require minimal preparation, such as pre-cut fruits and vegetables, yogurt cups, hard-boiled eggs, nuts, nut butter packs, cheese slices, whole grain crackers, and energy bars.

5. Consider Dietary Restrictions: If you have any dietary restrictions or special dietary needs, make sure to plan meals and snacks that accommodate these requirements. Consult with a registered dietitian or healthcare provider for personalized guidance if needed.

6. Stay Hydrated: In addition to meal prepping, make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids leading up to your surgery. Keep a reusable water bottle or glass of water nearby throughout the day to remind yourself to drink regularly.

7. Keep it Simple: Focus on preparing simple and nourishing meals that are easy to digest and won't require a lot of time or effort to prepare during your recovery period. Utilize shortcuts such as pre-cut vegetables, pre-cooked grains, and pre-marinated proteins to streamline meal prep.

8. Involve Supportive Friends or Family: If possible, enlist the help of friends or family members to assist with meal prepping before your surgery. Having support can make the process more manageable and ensure that you have nutritious meals and snacks readily available during your recovery.

By taking the time to meal prep before surgery, you can set yourself up for a smoother recovery and make it easier to maintain a balanced and nourishing diet during this time.

Author

Dr. Catherine Logan, MD, MBA Catherine Logan, MD, MBA, MSPT, is a sports medicine orthopaedic surgeon specializing in complex knee and shoulder surgery at Colorado Sports Medicine and Orthopaedics (COSMO) in Denver, Colorado. As a former physical therapist & trainer, Dr. Logan provides a distinct expertise in sports injury, prevention, and surgical management.