EAT: Healthy Snacks for After Your Surgery

Add healthy snacks to your diet that:

• Provide additional protein and calories that you are not able to get in at mealtimes
• Not “over-fill” you, so that you are not hungry for your next meal
• Eat the high-protein foods from each of these snacks first, then eat the fruits, veggies, crackers, etc. if you have room.

Examples of Small, High-Protein Snacks:

• 1 Tbsp. of peanut butter with 1-2 servings of whole grain crackers/whole grain bread
• 1 oz. of 2%/reduced-fat cheese with 1-2 servings of whole grain crackers/whole grain bread
• Low-fat yogurt with fruit or 1 serving of whole grain crackers
• Nuts, seeds, or trail mix: about ½ - 1/3 cup
• ½ cup cottage cheese with fruit or veggies
• ½ cup cottage cheese 1-2 servings of whole grain crackers/whole grain bread
• 1-2 oz. lean meat with 1-2 servings of whole grain crackers/whole grain bread
• 1 oz. of 2%/reduced-fat cheese with fruits or veggies
• 1 single-serving pudding
• A high-protein bar*
• A homemade smoothie with low-fat ice cream, milk, or yogurt
• A high-protein drink

*Commercial high protein drinks or bars should have no more than 250 calories,  at least 12 gm of protein, and no more than 10 gm of fat.