Table 3: Dietary Considerations Prior to Surgical Procedures

Points to Consider	Reasoning	Approach
Current nutritional status	Poor nutrition before surgery may not be adequate for the increased nutritional needs after surgery and may predispose patients to prolonged healing	Assess food intake and advise the patient to meet the Dietary Recommended Intakes (DRI) by following Canada’s Food Guide Consider multivitamins or other supplements, keeping in mind the Upper Tolerable Limit (UL)
Current food consumption habits	Food preferences may affect adherence to food suggestions post-surgery	Assess food preferences through food records Be realistic about patient’s compliance and adapt the food suggestions to their preferences as much as possible