Since you have just had heart surgery, you will need to modify your diet to reduce the risk of further heart or vascular disease. Necessary dietary changes include reducing your intake of total fat, saturated fatty acids and cholesterol, avoiding excessive calories and sodium and increasing your fiber intake. What should I eat in the early days after heart surgery? After surgery, you will first need protein and calories to promote healing. In this regard, you do not need to restrict your diet for 4-6 months after surgery, especially if you have a poor appetite. During your stay in the hospital, your doctor may order you regular meals and limit your total fluid intake to prevent fluid buildup in your heart and lungs. What should I not eat after the early recovery phase of heart surgery when I need to reduce fat, cholesterol and sodium? Reduce the amount of total fat in your diet by eating less fatty meats, fried foods and fats added to foods (mayonnaise, sauces, margarine, sour cream, broths, etc.). Limit your intake of satiated fats and vegetable fats, as they are the most likely to raise blood cholesterol levels. Most animal foods such as meat, cream, butter, and whole fat are satiating. In addition, hard vegetable fats, palm and coconut oils (commercial foods such as coffee whiteners and whipping toppings in baked goods, fast foods and non-cream) are satiated fatty acids and should not be eaten. Foods high in cholesterol that you should not eat include eggs (do not eat more than 2-4 yolks per week); liver and other organs, pancetta and full-fat dairy products (cheese, ice cream). Reduce your salt intake. Avoid foods high in salt such as canned and ready-to-eat soups, lunch meat pizzas, frozen meals, krauts, pickles and all kinds of fast foods. Eat special low-salt foods or cook without a salt shaker and use cilantro (herb) or spices instead of salt to flavor your meals. Limit caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee and tea. Consult your supervising physician about alcohol consumption (I never recommend alcohol to my patients). What are healthy foods? Foods low in fat and cholesterol and high in fiber include: Whole grain breads, rolls and wheat cereals (especially oats or those with flax or flaxseed) All grains, barley, steamed couscous, soba, semolina, etc. Brown rice, whole grain pasta and pasta Fresh fruits and vegetables, pure fruit and vegetable juices Legumes (cloud beans, navy beans, pinto, chickpeas, black beans) and orchid beans Skim or 1/2% milk, low-fat soy milk Low-fat cheese or sour cheese Tofu, Indonesian tempeh Fish (especially salmon, tuna, swordfish) Poultry (skinless) Lean beef, lamb, pork and game (less than 4 times or 3-4 times per week) Egg whites or substitutes. Liquid vegetable oils: olive oil, canola and peanut oil are the best choices, limit consumption of other oils Moderate consumption of margarine made from vegetable oils (tub type), low cholesterol margarine (phytosterols and no trans fat are recommended) Fat-free biscuits or cakes, fat-free pudding, gelatin, juice sorbet, cold fruit desserts (all in moderation) Fat-free, low-salt fast food such as popped peanuts, unsalted crunchy crackers, baked chip, cereal, etc. Other decaffeinated such as green tea, herbal tea, decaffeinated coffee, etc.