Let’s face it: foot or ankle surgery is never fun. But if you’ve spent the majority of your time dreading that ominous square on your calendar that contains the date of your surgery, then it’s time for a reality check:
Your foot surgery, whether you like it or not, is happening.
So you have one of two options: you can either avoid preparing for your surgery, or you can take some steps (you know, because stepping’s gonna be hard after your surgery!) to prepare for life after surgery…
And that includes discovering the best meals to pre-make for surgery recovery.
Man does not live on delivery pizza alone. So if you want to ensure that you heal in a healthy and (somewhat) enjoyable manner – without making you feel like Pizza Hut’s number one customer – here are the best meals to pre-make for surgery recovery.
Savory Baked Chicken
Baked chicken is going to be the lifeblood of your surgery recovery – and for good reason. The protein in chicken can help fuel your muscle growth and repair, while the lean meats ensure that your weight stays off of your waist as well as your injured foot.
Baked chicken can be thrown over rice, pasta, or shredded and added to a bed of lettuce. As you can see, savory baked chicken is perfect for eating well while undergoing surgery recovery.
First, grab yourself a couple of pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Lay out a sheet of aluminum foil on a large baking pan. Coat the foil with cooking spray (go for olive oil spray – delicious). Lay the chicken on the pan. Now here’s the fun part: start seasoning the chicken any way you want. We’re taking garlic powder, lemon pepper rub – anything! Set the oven to 400 degrees and pop the chicken in for about 30 minutes, or until the juices are running clear.
Super-Fast Tomato and Basil Pasta
Pasta can keep for many days in your refrigerator, which makes this one of the best meals to pre-make for surgery recovery. Try out this meal, which incorporates whole grains and vegetables for maximum healing power.
First, grab yourself a box of whole-grain linguine (whole grains are an excellent source of fiber) and pour into salted boiling water. While the pasta’s boiling, chop up a few cups of grape or cherry tomatoes into quarters. Next, chop up some basil leaves (make sure you take the time to enjoy the delicious scent!). Once the pasta is done boiling, drain it. Add the tomatoes and basil to the pasta, and throw in some olive oil or spaghetti sauce to bring it all together. If you’re really feeling adventurous, add some crumbled goats cheese for a tangy flavor that just won’t quit.
Foods to Avoid
While the above recipes are some of the best meals you can pre-make before surgery, it’s important to point out what you shouldn’t be eating during your recovery time. Healing your body is a delicate process, and it’s going to need all the nutrients possible. Therefore, avoid the following foods, as they don’t pack a nutritional punch:
Processed foods (bye-bye, Funions)
Dehydrated foods like beef jerky
Full fat cheese (too much can cause constipation – not really something you want to deal with on top of an injured foot or ankle)
Refined sugars (sweets, white grains, etc.)
Now that you know the best meals to pre-make for foot surgery recovery – as well as what foods to avoid – it’s time to throw on your chef’s hat and whip up a creation that would make Paula Deen jealous (butter not included).