Page 3 - DietaryPlan02

important component in the bodies ‘energy generation cycle’, so a lack of B12 can leave you feeling
lethargic and tired. Through simple routine blood tests, conducted either at the hospital or your GP,
your B12 can be monitored. If your levels are low, you may be offered regular, 3-monthly B12
injections. It is also advisable to take a daily multi-vitamin tablet. I prefer to use ‘Centrum
Performance’, which contains amongst the highest B12 and Iron supplements available off the shelf.

Poor or ‘mal-absorption’
Again, because of the nature of the surgery, food isn’t always digested fully or absorbed as well as it
was before. Poor absorption is typified by oily stools that typically float. Strangely however,
sometimes digestion works well, and other times flips over to poor absorption for maybe a week or
two before returning to near normal. Poor absorption can lead to weight loss, so if it persists you
should consult your dietician for advice. There are remedies, such a Creon supplements which aid
digestion.

Drinks, pureed and soft foods

After surgery, it is prudent to stick with pureed and soft foods for a few weeks, allowing surgical
reconstructions time to heal, and for intestinal movements and gut fauna to recover. For pureed
and soft food ideas, refer to the suggestions noted below, with an important caveat – avoid
excessively surgery foods! Whist sweet things are OK in moderation, take care to minimise sugar
intake. Too much sugar can result in ‘dumping syndrome’, i.e., quick trips to the loo.

Drinks:
• Tap or bottled water, if possible filtered to reduce impurities
• Full cream milk, organic unsweetened oat or almond milk
• Tea and coffee, made as you like
• No added sugar fresh fruit juices
• Natural fresh fruit milkshakes or smoothies, ideally home made from fresh produce
• As discussed with your dietician: 'Build-Up', 'Complan' or 'Recovery' drinks and nutritional
supplements available from chemists/supermarkets,
• Alcohol is Ok in small amounts – if medication permits
• Avoid / moderate sweetened fizzy drinks

Examples of pureed foods (remember to season savouries well):
• Pureed cauliflower cheese - well cooked, with garlic and or spices
• Pureed macaroni cheese
• Puree avocado, chicken & potato – blended or in separate portions
• Puree skinless fish fillet, with puree peas and puree mash potato in separate portions
• Smoothly pureed soups of any flavour
• Guacamole, cheese dips, taramasalata
• Unsweetened yogurts
• Pureed trifle with extra cream and full fat custard, egg custard puddings