Monday, February 23, 2009

Diet For People After Prostate Cancer Surgery

Prostate cancer is a common form of cancer for men. Surgery removes the prostate along with the cancer in the area. Recovery is important in the healing process. Read on to find out about diets after prostate cancer surgery.


After the Surgery


Shortly after having the surgery, you will most likely be put on a liquid diet, excluding solid foods. You will slowly progress from clear liquids to those that have a bit of solidness to them. The next step would be graduating to a soft diet with foods easy to chew such as oatmeal or mashed potatoes.


Once you have recovered from surgery, you will want to maintain a diet that includes a lot of fruits and vegetables.


Lycopene


Foods high in lycopene have been found to improve prostate health. Some foods containing lycopene are tomatoes, watermelon, carrots, asparagus, salsa, and grapefruit. Also choose a variety of fruits and vegetables in order to vary your diet.


Selenium


Foods high in selenium are also beneficial to the body. Only a small amount of this mineral is needed a day, so an example would be a 3-ounce serving of tuna. Other foods high in selenium are nuts, oysters, and shrimp.


More Fiber, Less Fat


You want to make sure to add more fiber to your diet by eating more whole grain foods. Try eating bran muffins, cereal, whole wheat bread, and prunes in order to get the fiber you need.


Avoiding fatty foods is also a good idea after your surgery. You don't want to eat foods like fried chicken, french fries, or fried fish.


Try eating more tomatoes, broccoli, and cauliflower as well as other foods that contain Vitamin E.


Beverages


Avoid or decrease drinking alcohol or beer. Coffee consumption should also be lessened during this time. Drink plenty of water and green tea.







Tags: eating more, Foods high, fruits vegetables, high selenium, surgery will