Diet for Triple Bypass Surgery

After having triple bypass surgery, it doesn't mean that you should go back to your old habits. There are many things that you should do such as quit smoking, start an exercise program, watch your cholesterol level, watch your blood pressure as well as maintain a healthy weight. Starting a diet is not easy but knowing what to do can help get you on your way to being healthy.

Diet Dos

A low cholesterol diet is one that is full of fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, cereals, nuts and seeds because these foods contain no cholesterol. A low cholesterol diet includes fresh fruits such as oranges, bananas and apples; vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli and carrots; and whole grains such as bran, oatmeal and whole wheat cereal. Oatmeal is a great meal for breakfast because it has been known to help lower cholesterol. Juice such as prune and tomato juice are especially good for low cholesterol diets. In addition, dry beans such as lentils and black beans are also a good source of protein without all the cholesterol. It is important to eat lean meats and low-fat dairy products.

Cooking Dos

Use healthy fat such as canola oil, olive oil, or plant sterol spreads when cooking. Some people have a hard time adjusting to a new diet because they feel that their food lacks flavor without all the butter and fat. However, adding different spices and herbs such as oregano, basil, parsley, rosemary, thyme, cilantro, coriander or cumin can help add a lot of flavor to any dish. Grilling your food and grilling or steaming vegetables instead of frying them will also help you to improve your overall health.

Diet Don'ts

There are a number of foods that should be avoided if you've had a triple bypass surgery. It may be difficult for you to resist these foods at first, but once you get used to eating a healthy diet, you might not even crave for these things. Although it is wise to avoid eating eggs, you may use an egg substitutes, which can be found in most supermarkets. Reduce your intake of saturated fat found in foods such as cheese, whole milk, ice cream, sweets, baked goods and coffee creamers. Avoid meat with plenty of fat such as bacon as well as organs such as liver, as these are high in cholesterol. In addition, avoid sour cream, salt and other fatty additives.

Cooking Don'ts

When cooking, avoid the bad fats such as butter, trans fat margarine and polyunsaturated oils as these are what probably clogged your arteries in the first place. Avoid sauces that are made with heavy cream such as alfredo or carbonara sauce and creamy pesto. Opt for an olive oil-based sauce instead which can be mixed with seafood or vegetables. Add little or no salt when cooking and avoid frying your food and vegetables as much as possible.