Coronary bypass surgery or heart bypass surgery is a procedure performed to repair the damaged arteries of the heart. It is a big surgery on which one’s life depends.
After such a serious surgery, it is important to take care of what you eat. The heart needs extra TLC after the bypass procedure.
Did You Know? Approximately 400,000 people undergo Coronary artery bypass grafting every year.
If you want a quick recovery after heart bypass surgery, then you have to avoid certain foods and rely on some specific foods. Eating particular foods can speed up the healing process, reduce inflammation, and manage blood pressure and cholesterol levels. All of these aspects are essential to support your recovery.
Before any further ado, let’s explore foods to avoid after coronary bypass surgery. Moreover, we will also look into some foods that you can rely on after your bypass surgery.
Why What You Eat Matters After a Bypass Surgery?
After a heart bypass surgery, the heart needs healthy foods and all the help it can get to recover, heal, and stay healthy. Some foods can put a strain on the heart, slowing down the recovery process.
Therefore, it is important to munch on the foods that are healthy and beneficial for the health of the heart. Keeping an eye on the diet can make a huge difference in how quickly you come back to your normal routine.
Read More: For Healthy Heart Never Eat These 6 Foods
Foods to Avoid After Coronary Bypass Surgery
Here are the top 9 foods to avoid after coronary bypass surgery:
1. Hydrogenated and Trans-Fat Products
The first things that you should avoid after coronary bypass are saturated fats and trans-fat products. Saturated fat should not exceed 6% of the total daily calories.
2. Fried and Fatty Foods
Fries, hot dogs, greasy burgers, etc may taste delicious but they cause havoc for you after the surgery. Fatty and fried foods can block the arteries and undo all the efforts your doctor has put in. Therefore, try to avoid fatty and fried foods as much as you can to have a quick recovery period.
Read More: Top 3 Pineapple Benefits for the Heart
3. Salt or High Sodium Intake
Salt may seem harmless, but it is the biggest culprit post-surgery. So, it is a big No to salt after surgery.
Excessive salt consumption can raise blood pressure which makes the heart work harder than it should. Low sodium consumption can prevent fluid retention, thus reducing blood pressure.
Cut down on the amount of salt you add to your meals. Overconsumption of salt can spike blood pressure and cause other issues.
So, say goodbye to the salty snacks and foods and go for whole and fresh foods. You should check the nutrition labels on food for low salt levels when shopping for food.
Read More: 10 Foods that Cleanse the Arteries – A Heart Healthy Diet
4. Sugary Foods
Almost everyone loves sweets. However, after a bypass one should refrain from having too much sugar in their diet. It becomes extremely important to keep the blood glucose levels stable after the surgery.
It means you have to cut back on sugary snacks, drinks, ice-creams, etc. You can rely on dark chocolates and fresh fruit to fulfill your sugar cravings.
Did You Know? Dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids that are good for the overall heart health.
5. Processed Foods
Processed and canned foods are a convenient and quick option but they are not good for the heart health. They are packed with unhealthy fats, salt, sugar, etc. All of these ingredients can hinder your heart’s recovery. Therefore, it is better to avoid frozen, canned, or processed meals and cook a simple meal at home.
6. Avoid Refined Grains
Refined grain may seem harmless but post-surgery it is better to avoid them as much as you can. Refined grains have nothing but calories. It means they can spike your blood sugar levels which puts extra strain on the heart.
Instead of refined grains such as pasta or bread, it is better to rely on whole grains like quinoa or brown rice. Whole grains are enriched with nutrients and fiber and keep the heart healthy and happy.
Read More: Healthy Chunks Are The Real Guards Of Heart
7. Avoid Red Meat
It is best to give red meat a pass. Red meat is high in saturated fats, raising cholesterol levels and increasing the risk of heart disease. Moreover, it can also be tough on the digestive system.
Hence, avoid red meat post-surgery and try to incorporate plant-based proteins, including lentils, tofu, beans, etc in your diet.
8. Avoid Alcohol
It is better to avoid alcohol as much as you can. Alcohol can interact with the medicines and put extra strain on the heart. It can also hinder your sleep schedule which is important for recovery. It is better to rely on water or herbal tea instead of alcohol.
9. Cut Back on Caffeine
You may take caffeine for a morning boost before surgery; however, after the surgery, it is time to cut down on caffeine. Caffeine can spike up the heart rate and increase blood pressure which puts extra strain on the heart. Therefore, instead of caffeine, you can take herbal tea, decaf tea, or simply water.
Read More: How Job Stress Affects Heart Health And 8 Ways To Deal With It
Foods to Eat After Coronary Bypass Surgery
Post-surgery you should choose foods that do not have high sugar, saturated fats, or salt. It is the best option to eat fresh fruits and vegetables instead of frozen or canned foods.
For heart health, oily fish like trout, salmon, mackerel, etc are an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are beneficial for heart health. So, incorporate fish in the diet at least 2 times a week.
Read More: 6 Best Exercises For Heart Health You Should Try
Some of the particular foods that you can eat after heart bypass surgery are as follows:
Fresh fruits and vegetables (leafy green vegetables)
- Whole grains
- Lean meats
- Beans and legumes
- Fatty fish and Fish oil
- Low-fat or fat-free dairy products
- Eggs (in limit)
- Nuts and seeds (Walnuts/Almonds)
- Plant-based cooking oils
- Skinless poultry
- Berries
- Avocados
- Dark chocolates
- Tomatoes
- Chia seeds, Flax seeds, and Hemp seeds
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Edamame
- Green Tea
Pro Tip: Go for a 30-minutes walk daily to keep the heart healthy.
Final Words
If you have recently undergone coronary bypass surgery, then food is what you cannot compromise on. For a quick recovery, you should rely on some particular healthy foods to maintain heart health. On the other hand, you should be well aware of the foods to avoid after coronary bypass surgery.
Hydrogenated vegetable oils, sugary and salty foods, red meat, refined grains, and processed, fatty, and fried foods can harm heart health and slow down the recovery process.
It is better to eat foods that are good for overall heart health and maintain optimum blood, sugar, and cholesterol levels.
For a personalized diet plan after a coronary bypass surgery, you can consult in-clinic or on video with the best nutritionist in Pakistan via Marham.pk.
Download Marham’s Application
You can also download the Marham application to book your in-clinic and video consultation. Apart from that, you can also avail special discounts on medicines and lab tests.
To download Marham’s application, click here:
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What foods are good after bypass surgery?
After bypass surgery, it is crucial to rely on heart-healthy foods. You can take fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins. Foods like low-fat dairy products, berries, leafy green vegetables, legumes, nuts, beans, seeds, fatty fish, whole grains, etc support the recovery of the heart.
2. Is yogurt good after heart surgery?
Dairy products like yogurt, cheese, milk, etc have essential nutrients, including calcium and protein which are important for post-surgery recovery. Therefore, you can take yogurt after heart surgery.
3. Can you drink milk after heart surgery?
4. Can I eat bananas after heart bypass surgery?
Yes. You can eat bananas after heart bypass surgery. They are a part of a healthy diet after heart surgery. Being an excellent source of potassium, they can regulate blood pressure and provide essential nutrients for recovery.
5. Can I eat eggs after heart bypass surgery?
Yes. You can eat eggs after heart bypass surgery. Go for cooked eggs without any fats such as poached or boiled eggs. You should rely on egg whites for low cholesterol intake.
6. What is the best breakfast after heart surgery?
The best breakfast after heart surgery is to have a balanced one, including oatmeal with fresh berries, greek yogurt for protein, etc. You should eat small meals which have high nutrition.