Protein helps to build and repair body cells and reconstruct tissues. It also helps to maintain muscle mass, which can give you the energy to stay active so that you can perform your daily activities. Good foods with protein include lean meats such as chicken, turkey, pork, and seafood. Non-meat sources include nuts, eggs, legumes, and tofu. If you’re having trouble getting enough protein in your diet after surgery, consider nutritional supplements such as Ensure^® High Protein, which contains 12 g of protein per bottle.

For those who have had oral or dental surgery, eating may be a challenge, and you could lose weight. But don’t look at this post-surgery weight loss as a bonus. Because this is a time when your body clearly needs energy for healing, dropping pounds can be risky and can hamper the healing process. Consider Ensure^® Plus Calories. Along with increasing your protein intake, every bottle has 120 more calories than Ensure^® Regular. You can also use it in all sorts of ways, from freezing it into popsicles to adding it to your morning coffee instead of milk.

Remember — always consult a doctor if you experience involuntary weight loss.