The Mediterranean diet has been shown many health benefits such as a decrease in the risk of cardiovascular disease, and cancer, and improved cognitive health.

The Mediterranean diet is a plant-based diet. It encompasses consumption of abundant seasonal vegetables, olive oil for cooking or seasoning (main fat source); fresh seasonal fruit consumed as a desert; regular consumption of nuts and seeds (either as part of the recipes or as healthy snacks); consumption of legumes several times weekly; whole cereals daily; consumption of moderate portions of fish two to three times weekly; dairy (yogurt, milk, cheese) only in limited amounts; spices and herbs to flavor recipes; infrequent consumption of
sweets (a few times weekly); moderation of red and processed meat; three to four eggs weekly; use plenty of water as beverage; and drinking wine in moderation.

A hallmark of Mediterranean Diet is the inclusion of unprocessed foods, which are full of healthy nutrients, as opposed to Western dietary patterns, which are rich in processed and ultra-processed foods and full of calories, but very poor in nutrients (“empty calories”). The common Western diet is linked to a high risk of obesity, inflammatory disease, and worsening of cognitive function.

The stress response of surgery leads to protein breakdown or catabolism. Additionally,
inactivity leads to loss of muscle tissue within 48 hours. This breakdown is higher in adults over the age of 45. Thus, of the most important things after surgery is to increase protein intake. However, appetite is often reduced after surgery, making it difficult to reach protein needs. Thus, a dietary strategy after surgery is to increased protein intake via the use of protein shakes, or smoothies with fruit, milk and yogurt.
Normally, total protein intake should be 1.2-2.0 grams per kilogram of body weight per day. For a person of 70 kg, or 154 pounds, this equates to 84 to 154 grams of protein per day. After surgery, protein requirements increase by up to 50%. Thus, a person weighing 70 kg should consume 112 to 210 grams of protein per day.

Useful nutritional advice to achieve this goal is as follows:

• Consume balanced meals starting from breakfast with protein sources at each point such as Greek yogurt, low fat milk, white eggs, scrambled eggs, turkey and chicken breast, or hummus.
• Consume a protein snack before and after the rehabilitation sessions.
• Have two snacks a day to increase your eating windows such as between breakfast and lunch and between lunch and dinner.