Following surgery, a client is placed on a “diet as tolerated” food plan. Which of the following is BEST for the client’s first post-operative meal?
A. Bland
B. Full liquid
C. Clear liquid
The first meal after surgery should be clear liquids, only fluids and foods that can be seen through. It is the least likely to induce nausea and vomiting. It also provides some liquids and calories, while stimulating peristalsis. A soft diet has a soft texture that is easy to chew and digest; foods are low fiber. A bland diet has soft foods that are not spicy, fried, or raw. A full liquid diet is made up only of fluids and foods that are normally
liquid
and foods that turn to liquid when they are at room temperature, like ice cream. If the client can tolerate the clear liquids, the diet can be advanced.
D. Soft
