Why is nutrition important for recovery and rehabilitation?
Getting enough energy and nutrients can support your body as it recovers from serious illness, injury or surgery, and building up the body’s strength and natural defences is an important part of rehabilitation after a critical illness or surgery. Nutritional support can help you get the energy and nutrients your body needs during recovery.
Your nutritional needs will depend on your health, your recovery, and how well you can eat and drink. A nutrition professional can devise a specific rehabilitation diet plan to support your strength and recovery.
Recovery after critical illness or surgery
Ill health affects people in different ways, but being unwell for some time can be quite traumatic for the body. Recovery speed may depend on the type of illness you have had, how long you have been ill, how your weight has been affected, and other factors specific to you.
The same applies if you have recently undergone major surgery. The impact on your body depends on the type of surgery, as well as the nature and severity of any physical and emotional changes you have experienced. The amount of change can vary greatly from person to person. It’s natural for some people to experience significant changes, while others may have less noticeable changes to contend with.
Understanding these changes can help you see how nutrition may support your recovery. Here are some common physical and emotional changes that can happen after a serious illness, injury, or surgery.
Weight loss
In some cases, illness or surgery can cause weight loss. This can be caused by several factors, including inactivity, loss of appetite, or changes in taste or smell. Foods you previously enjoyed may taste unpleasant or bland, and some people may not have been able to eat while in hospital because of complications.
Nutrition for recovery may be tailored to help you gain weight. Unintentional weight loss and poor nutrition can leave you feeling weaker and may affect your recovery.
Muscle weakness and mobility problems
After a serious illness, you may lose muscle mass and strength. This can leave the body very weak, and joints can be stiff, leading to mobility problems. Rehabilitation typically involves physiotherapy and an exercise programme to help you improve strength and stamina over time. Nutritional support can help you get enough energy and protein to support your recovery.
Emotional changes
Critical illness and surgery can be disruptive emotionally as well as physically. Fluctuating moods – feeling fine one minute and then really down the next – are not uncommon, and some people report feeling depressed. The slow recovery process can be incredibly frustrating, so these feelings can be understandable after a serious illness or operation.
What does a rehabilitation programme involve?
A rehabilitation programme can involve different types of care and support to help with your recovery and independence. Your healthcare team may assess your needs and discuss the support that could help you.
A rehabilitation programme may include:
- support to prevent or manage problems such as muscle and joint stiffness, pain or discomfort;
- a review of your medicines;
- nutritional support, where needed.
Nutrition for recovery
Nutrition can be an important part of recovery. Diet significantly affects the body's health, and eating correctly ensures you have the nutrients needed to recover and lead a healthy lifestyle.
If you have undergone major surgery or are recovering from a critical illness and need nutritional support, you may have an assessment to identify the nutrients needed for healing and recovery.
Your nutrition needs may depend on several things, including your height, weight, physical activity, any present medical complications and medications you are taking – all of which should be factored into an individual nutritional programme. Depending on your needs, a dietitian or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional may be involved in your nutritional care.
Here are some ways nutrition may support recovery.
Weight management
If you have lost weight, you may be advised to eat foods that provide more energy and protein. In some cases, a dietitian, doctor or other healthcare professional may recommend nutritional supplements.
If you have gained weight, any advice about losing weight should consider your health, mobility, and recovery needs.
Discover more about working with a nutritional professional for weight management.
Increasing appetite
Loss of appetite can hinder recovery from illness or surgery. Getting back into the habit of eating regular meals can be difficult after a period of disruption or lack of food. If you were fed through a tube in your nose (nasogastric tube) while in hospital, it may take time to get used to the taste and texture of food again.
To help improve your appetite, a nutrition professional may devise a diet plan that includes small, frequent meals and snacks to help make eating a regular part of your daily routine. You may be encouraged to eat with others to help take your mind off food, and your nutrition professional may advise you on how much water to drink during the day and whether to drink with your meals. Smoothies and juices may also be recommended as a great way of getting nutrients without being overwhelmed by solid foods.
Muscle repair and strengthening
If regular exercise forms a key part of your rehabilitation programme, your nutrition professional may ensure your diet supports muscle growth and repair.
All of the body's cells, tissues, and organs are made from amino acids, the building blocks of protein-rich foods. Therefore, your diet plan will likely include plenty of protein-rich foods, such as lean meats, fish, natural yoghurt, nuts and seeds and eggs – depending on your individual nutritional needs.
Tissue repair will also require plenty of iron, zinc and vitamin C. A nutrition professional may recommend including a variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet, including berries, leafy greens, beans, and lentils.
Cancer and nutrition
If you are undergoing or have had cancer treatment, good nutrition can help you get the energy and nutrients your body needs during treatment and recovery. Cancer and its treatment can affect your appetite, weight and ability to eat. Some people may need extra energy, protein or other nutritional support. Your cancer team or dietitian can advise you based on your treatment and individual needs.
To find out more about cancer recovery and rehabilitation, please visit our cancer page.
Supporting your immune system
Major surgery and critical illness can affect immune function. Eating a varied, balanced diet can help you get the nutrients your body needs to support normal immune function.
Coping after a critical illness or surgery
Recovery from illness or major surgery can be a frustrating and deeply emotional time. If you have undergone treatment for a serious condition such as cancer or heart disease, you may experience anxiety, low mood or other emotional changes. Your illness or surgery may also impact your relationships, work and home life.
If you’re finding recovery difficult emotionally, speak to your healthcare team about the support available. A nutritional professional can support you with your diet during recovery, alongside any medical or mental health support you receive.
Finding nutritional support
If you’re recovering from an illness, injury or surgery, your nutritional needs may depend on your health and individual circumstances. An appropriately qualified nutritional professional can offer personalised support alongside the advice and care you receive from your healthcare team.
Find a nutritional professional who can support you with recovery and rehabilitation.
All content displayed on Nutritionist Resource is provided for general information purposes only, and should not be treated as a substitute for advice given by your GP or any other healthcare professional.
