Good nutrition is essential for your recovery. Eating well-balanced meals and snacks will help you recover quickly and help you feel your best. What you eat affects your well-being.
If you do not eat enough of the right foods, you will become tired and less able to take care of yourself. Be sure you make time to eat—even if you do not feel hungry.
When you are planning your meals and snacks, try to think about what your plate should look like.
Eating foods rich in the following nutrients are important for your recovery.
Use the healthful foods chart to help you choose foods for building well-balanced meals and snacks.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, you should:
Visit choosemyplate.gov for more information about nutrition.
It is important you get enough water every day. Drink when you feel thirsty and with your meals.
Ask your health care provider how much water you need every day. Follow any special directions if you have fluid restrictions or if you have had weight loss surgery.
Eat foods high in vitamin C to help absorb the iron that comes from plants such as spinach.
For instance, drink a glass of orange juice with an iron-fortified cereal.
Good sources of vitamin C are oranges, broccoli, tomatoes, kiwi, strawberries, peppers, potatoes and cabbage.