Admit it: you thought that laying down on the couch for a few weeks recovering from your broken ankle surgery would be a welcome break. Since your days are spent hurrying from the home to the office and back again, it seemed like catching up on your favorite TV shows and surfing the web would be a fantastic idea.
But now you’re not only getting bored – you’re noticing that you’re not exactly feeling your healthiest.
If you’re eating anything less than the best foods, you might as well point a blaming finger at your diet. Like with recovering from a sickness or a disease, a broken ankle surgical recovery diet should emphasize healthy intake and avoid tons of processed junk food.
So if you’re been living off of microwave meals and Doritos during your broken ankle recovery – hey, no one would blame you – it’s time to revamp your mealtime choices with the best broken ankle surgical recovery diet.
Get Your Fair Share of Fruits and Veggies
You heard it during middle school health class, and you’re about to hear it again: if you want to feel unhealthy during your broken ankle surgical recovery, you need to get your fair share of fruits and veggies. We’re talking your leafy greens, your colorful fruits, and your seedless grapes (yum!).
Okay, we know that not everyone likes to eat their fruits and veggies. But if you want to expedite your ankle healing time, you need to get as many vitamins and minerals as possible. Consider stocking up on all-natural smoothies (or having someone run out and get some for you) or eating preserves (they may be coated in sugar, but at least it’s fruit!). Many fruit Popsicles even contain a fair amount of fruit juice, so consider stocking it in your freezer.
If you’re not getting five servings of fruit and veggies each day, buy a multi-vitamin and take it daily. Make sure you take it in the morning since that’s when your body is able to absorb the most nutrients. This way, you can be sure that you’re getting some of the essential stuff you’ll need to heal your body.
Eat Lean Meats
Your body needs protein to heal itself after a traumatic injury – and no injury is more traumatic than a broken ankle surgery. If you want to expedite the healing process, you should stock up on lean chicken breast and lean steak. Lean meats can provide you with the protein that helps your muscles grow, which is important in helping support your broken ankle. You also want to avoid eating too many fats, as this can be bad for your heart.
Consider having a loved one cook up some grilled chicken with spinach and walnuts for a delicious serving of meats and vegetables. Or combine shaved steak with delicious hummus and sprouts for a lovely lunchtime meal you’ll crave each day.
Go Light on the Carbs
Since you’re sitting and recovering from a broken ankle surgery, you don’t want to go too heavy on the carbs. This means avoiding refined pasta and breads, as these can surge your insulin levels and make you quickly gain weight. If you’re going to eat your carbs, be sure that they’re whole wheat or whole grain. And don’t go for seconds, no matter how delicious your wife’s chicken alfredo may be.
These broken ankle surgical recovery diet tips will have you back on your feet in no time!
Here’s a recipe to get you started on the right track:
Chicken Breast with Peaches
Sprinkle one 6-ounce skinless, boneless chicken breast with a pinch each of kosher salt and black pepper. Place in a baking pan and top with 1 sliced fresh peach. Bake in a 375-degree oven for 30 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.