Vegan And Vegetarian Nutrition Plans For Surgery
Meal Ideas To Speed Recovery, Prevent Complications In Meatless Diet
Nov 12, 2008
Vegans and vegetarians already watch their diets carefully to ensure they receive adequate nutrients considered necessary to fuel the body. Studies show this population may be at a disadvantage going into surgery if nutrition is not carefully planned.
Research in Nutrition For Surgical Patients
In a 1994 study published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal), 500 patients admitted to the hospital were evaluated for malnutrition, 200 of the patients were undernourished. That means they had body mass index levels less than 20. When the researchers reassessed 112 of the initial 500 patients at discharge they had a mean weight loss of 5.4%. Those that had entered the hospital underweight lost even more weight after surgery.
The Nutrition Journal published a study in 2003 by Nicola Ward on nutrition support for surgical patients. It was noted that “nutritional depletion has been demonstrated to be a major determinant of the development of post-operative complications.” The report continued that pre-operative nutrition could improve surgical outcomes for malnourished patients.
Vegans and vegetarians with low levels of folate before surgery may be at an increased risk of complications after surgery according to a research study in Clinical Nutrition. “Preoperative folate and homocysteine status in patients undergoing major surgery” suggests that the combination of folate deficiency and elevated homocysteine (Hcy) levels would put the patient at risk of complications. Nitrous oxide interferes with folate metabolism and the combination researched in this study shows an increased risk of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease.
Revising Pre-Operative Meal Plans For The Vegetarian Diet
The Robert Packer Hospital recommends increasing protein and paying close attention to vitamin and mineral intakes, “especially calcium, iron, phosphorous and vitamins C and D.” Their recommendations are geared towards an omnivore’s diet and include meat and dairy products.
- Vegetarians and vegans can increase proteins through consumption of nuts and seeds, whole grains and through protein shakes.
- Natural sources of vitamin D come from sun exposure, fish oils, eggs and dairy products. A vitamin supplement with recommended values of vitamin D may be necessary for the vegan or full vegetarian that does not receive a lot of daily sun exposure.
- Vegan sources of calcium may include tofu, leafy greens, seeds and nuts and milk substitutes fortified with calcium.
- Iron sources for the vegetarian or vegan comes from dried beans and dark green leafy vegetables. Vitamin C is useful alongside Iron consumption as it boosts the absorption of iron.
- Good sources of Vitamin C include Guava, kiwi fruit and strawberries. Oranges are also high in vitamin C.
Further Ideas For Best Surgical Outcome
Taking into account the need to improve nutrition before surgery the vegetarian or vegan may wish to enlist additional help to ensure a speedy recovery:
- Hire a nutrition expert that specializes in meatless diets
- Ask the surgeon in advance what his/her recommendations are for this specific procedure: should the patient focus on probiotic supplementation prior to a gastrointestinal surgery, or prepare to use joint creams after a joint repair?
- Enlist help from a loved one before surgery and write up a meal plan to get a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains when home after surgery
- Write out specific dietary requirements (no dairy, no meat products) to give to the nurse staff in recovery to ensure meals served meet your diet
References:
- Incidence and recognition of malnutrition in hospital, J P McWhirter, C R Pennington, BMJ 1994;308:945-948 (9 April).
- Nutrition support to patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery, Nicola Ward, Nutrition Journal 2003, 2:18.
- Preoperative folate and homocysteine status in patients undergoing major surgery, Myles, Chan, Forbes, Leslie, Paech, Peyton, Clinical Nutrition, 2006 Jun 9; :16766094.
- Pre-Surgery Nutrition Education Handout, Robert Packer Hospital, accessed online November 2008.
- Vegan Nutrition, Vegetarian Society, accessed online November 2008.
- Iron in the Vegan Diet by Reed Mangels, PhD., R.D., The Vegetarian Resource Group, accessed online November 2008.
- Citrus Beyond Vitamin C, Winston Craig, PhD, MPH, RD, Professor of Nutrition, Andrews University Michigan, accessed online November 2008.
Sources Of Nutrition For Vegans
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Vitamin C In Fresh Fruit
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Protein Drink For Vegans
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