Children and adolescent patients are in a growth phase and must be provided with comprehensive nutrition to meet both the postoperative recovery and growth needs. The primary nutritional principle is a balanced diet, followed by adequate supply of calories and protein, and thirdly, attention to vitamin and mineral supplementation. Balanced diet A balanced diet refers to a diet containing a complete range of nutrients in adequate quantity and proportion, and the nutrients supplied in the diet are in balance with the needs of the body. A balanced diet should have the following two characteristics: 1. There should be diverse foods in the diet. As we know, the human body needs various nutrients, and not a few kinds of food can contain all the nutrients needed by the human body. If you eat only one or two kinds of food or a few kinds of single food, you cannot meet the body’s need for a variety of nutrients. Because the nutrients contained in various foods are not the same, only a balanced intake of various foods can meet the body’s requirements for various nutrients. 2, the ratio of various foods in the diet should be appropriate. The human body needs various nutrients, and various nutrients in the human body is dependent on each other, mutual influence, mutual constraints. For example, the body needs more calcium, and the digestion and absorption of calcium must be completed with the participation of vitamin D. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, and if there is a lack of fat in the intestine, it cannot be absorbed well by the intestine either. Only when a certain amount of fat is consumed while eating vitamin D can vitamin D be absorbed effectively. And the digestion and absorption of fat must be the role of bile, which is secreted by the liver. To make the liver secrete bile, it must ensure the supply of another important nutrient – protein. So, how do the three major nutrients – protein, fat and sugar – interact with each other? If a person does not eat enough sugar and fat, the body’s caloric supply is not enough, it will break down the body’s protein to release heat to supplement the lack of sugar and fat. But protein is the “building blocks” of the human body, the lack of it in the body, will seriously affect health. If you eat protein along with enough sugar and fat, you can reduce the breakdown of protein and use it to repair and build new cells and tissues. Thus, it can be seen that there is a very close relationship between various nutrients, in order to make various nutrients in the human body fully hair role, not only should pay attention to various nutrients complete, but also must pay attention to the appropriate ratio of various nutrients. So, what kind of nutrients should be maintained in an appropriate ratio? The Chinese Nutrition Society recommends that: the daily diet of sugar accounts for 60% to 70% of the total calories, fat accounts for 20% to 25%, protein accounts for 12% to 15%, but also 500 grams of fresh vegetables and an appropriate amount of fruit, so that the structure of the diet can basically achieve balance. To ensure the supply of high-quality protein fish, poultry, meat, eggs, milk and beans is the main source of high-quality protein, including eggs in addition to high-quality protein also contains vitamin A, vitamin B2 and lecithin and other nutrients. In addition to high-quality protein, milk is also a good source of vitamin A and calcium. Ensure the supply of vegetables and fruits Fresh vegetables and fruits are the main source of carotenoids, vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. You can eat foods rich in vitamin C, such as grapes and tomatoes, etc. Among them, colored vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables are rich in carotene and vitamin C, which can promote iron absorption and help prevent the occurrence of anemia, so it is advisable to use them as much as possible. There are no special taboos in food after heart surgery, but in the recovery process, patients should eat less or not eat certain foods. 1, strictly control the intake of salt. The main components of salt are sodium and chloride, and sodium in the body has the role of “hydration” tissue, most of the sodium and chloride in the body are excreted from the urine. The high concentration of sodium ions in the blood will cause a large amount of water retention in the body, resulting in general edema and liver enlargement, increasing the burden on the heart, and in serious cases, heart failure. Meanwhile, excessive salty diet is also one of the important causes of hypertension. Therefore, the diet of children with congenital heart disease after surgery must be lighter, pickled products, salted eggs, salted fish and other foods containing too much salt should not be eaten as much as possible. 2, should not eat more chocolate and other sweet food. After heart surgery, when children do not want to eat, many parents like to take chocolate to them to eat, thinking that this can ensure nutrition. In fact, the main components of chocolate are fat and sugar, high calorie, but the ratio of protein to fat and the normal needs of children is very different. Eating more chocolate is likely to cause indigestion, constipation and loss of appetite in children. At the same time, chocolate contains caffeine and other ingredients, consuming too much will not only make children overexcited, and affect the rest, the brain development of children bring certain adverse effects. 3, should not eat more canned beverages and cold drinks. At present, the market is sold in a wide variety of canned beverages, many drinks are mainly composed of sugar or saccharin, spices, coloring and water, but often insufficient nutrition. Cold drinks are also popular among children, but the digestive organs of children after major surgery are still in the recovery and adjustment stage, and the digestive function is often weak. Too cold food into the stomach will stimulate the gastric mucosa vasoconstriction, gastric juice secretion is reduced, affecting the digestive process of food in the gastrointestinal tract; at the same time will also weaken the gastrointestinal tract’s bactericidal ability, leading to the occurrence of infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. 4. It is not advisable to take tonic blindly. Some parents believe that ginseng has a tonic effect, so they give ginseng soup to their children after surgery. Ginseng does have the function of strengthening the heart and body, replenishing qi and generating fluid, but different ginsengs have different properties, and improper consumption may cause symptoms such as loss of appetite, nose bleeding and restlessness. There are also some supplements that are not suitable for children during their growth and development. As a parent, as long as you follow the above principles, pay attention to the balance of meat and vegetables, coarse and fine grains in your child’s daily diet, pay attention to prevent the loss and destruction of nutrients when cooking, and ensure that you eat three meals a day, your child will surely recover as soon as possible.