LITTLE ROCK — In my last column I wrote about exercises and activities I could do after I have surgery on my broken foot. This week I’m addressing eating and hydration.
I reached out to Liz Caldwell, director of university relations at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She used to be a co-worker at the newspaper, and was more than happy to find someone who could give us information. She put me in touch with Tonya Johnson, the chief clinical dietitian at UAMS.
I asked Johnson for recommendations on nutrition and hydration for someone recovering from an injury or surgery, and here’s her response, which I find very helpful.
EAT WISELY
First and foremost, she says, “nutrition is essential in healing.” Treats have a place in a healthy diet, but recovery is not a good time to substitute less-nutritious stuff for proper food.
“During the healing process, adequate protein is key. Proteins are the building blocks, and we use them in every aspect of healing. In addition to protein, vitamin C and zinc are essential for tissue synthesis and wound healing, while calcium, magnesium and phosphorus optimize bone health and rebuilding.”
That’s really a good reminder.Because of my diabetes, I want to eat carefully most of the time anyway. I take a daily vitamin and other supplements my doctor suggested, but I will double my resolve to turn away from the chips, ice cream, candy, doughnuts, cake and so forth that coworkers bring to the office, to ensure that treats don’t crowd out the foods that can give me adequate amounts of what I need.
But recovery is no time to “diet.” The stress of surgery or the trauma of a broken bone actually energy expenditure and caloric requirements. Dietitians don’t recommend decreasing calorie intake in normal weight surgical or trauma patients.
People recovering from surgery may not be as physically active as they were before the accident and their procedure, but their bodies will require the same amount, if not more calories, during the initial trauma and healing. This is typically the first two to three weeks post-operation or post-trauma.
After those two to three weeks, calorie needs may decrease if physical activity has not increased. In that situation, she recommends increased protein with a decrease in the calorie intake to better match the calorie expenditure of the individual.
I also asked Johnson about how many calories I should be taking in during the healing process. She said figuring out calories needed after outpatient surgery is very individualized. A formula would depend on each person’s health characteristics such as weight and physical condition, and issues like diabetes or other chronic conditions.
She recommends asking for a consultation with a registered dietitian through your doctor’s office or the UAMS Outpatient Nutrition Clinic.
DRINK UP
As for the liquid side of things, Johnson says, “Hydration is important for everyone. Most people do not drink the recommended eight cups of water per day.”
While water is key for hydration, she says, it is also found in products we consume. Liquids such as water, juice, tea, milk, etc., provide fluid sources, but things like popsicles, gelatin, soups, ice cream or any other food item that is liquid at room temperature can be a source.
In addition to those items that we commonly think about as fluids, we also receive fluids from fruits and vegetables because most of them are about 60 percent water.
As a general rule, we should consume at least 2 liters of fluid a day.
Post-surgical patients, Johnson says, typically do not have higher fluid requirements, unless they have a problem that’s making them lose fluid.
I will admit that, not being able to get around as easily because of my foot, I have a fear of drinking much water. The thought of getting up and down to powder my nose frequently is a bit overwhelming.
And the fact that I can get hydration from things other than actual liquid is very encouraging too.
WATER, WATER
I also found some information on the Mayo Clinic’s website, Mayo-Clinic.com. Information there states that water is our body’s principal chemical component and makes up about 60 percent of our weight. Every system in our body depends on water. It flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to cells, and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues.
Mayo Clinic’s guideline is that if we are drinking enough fluid that we rarely feel thirsty and produce about 6 cups or more of colorless or light yellow urine a day, our fluid intake is probably adequate.
But if you have questions, consult your doctor.
So no matter our health status, or whatever we may be going through regarding injury and recovery, lack of water can and will lead to dehydration. And even mild dehydration can drain our energy and make us tired.
Being tired all the time gets old.
E-mail me at: rboggs@arkansasonline.com
ActiveStyle, Pages 24 on 01/28/2013