You’re Recovering at home
Once you’re back at home, with all the emotional warmth and comfort that usually brings, most people begin to feel that their recovery becomes a little more manageable. You’re in your own bed, so you’re finally able to sleep better, your appetite starts to return, your energy levels gradually improve and, while it may not always be obvious, your body is continuing to repair itself behind the scenes. This is why continuing to nourish your body well during this stage can make such a big difference to how strong and resilient you feel in the weeks that follow.
Simple meals built around whole, unprocessed foods — made from ingredients you can recognise and pronounce — are always the most beneficial, especially if you have been very unwell. This might mean breakfasts centred around eggs, avocados, unsweetened full-fat kefir or yoghurt, or slow-cooked, soaked grains, with lunches and dinners consisting of nourishing home-made soup, a salmon, tuna, chicken, chickpea or tempeh salad, home-made liver pâté, a light stew or casserole, or a filled omelette with steamed greens, followed perhaps by stewed or fresh fruit, or a small coconut chia pottle.
Meals like these provide the protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals your body still needs for healing — without any of the additives and highly refined ingredients found in many commercially produced, ultra-processed foods.
It’s also important to continue supporting your digestion, particularly if you are still taking antibiotics or pain medications. Cultured and fermented foods such as yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, or other lacto-fermented vegetables will all help to strengthen your gut microbiome as it gradually returns to balance.
Finally, remember that rebuilding strength takes time. While it’s completely natural to want to return as quickly as possible to your pre-surgery self, healing is rarely linear; some days you’ll feel stronger and more energetic, while at other times your body may simply need more rest — so allow yourself time to read, do a puzzle, watch your favourite show or simply sleep.
There’s no need to rush. However eager you are to feel fully recovered, you’re already doing everything you can by nourishing your body well and supporting the healing process.
Flourish Tip
By continuing to eat nourishing meals, staying well hydrated, and staying completely away from highly processed foods, you’ll be giving your body the best possible support as it continues the steady work of rebuilding and recovery.