Q- What is Post POEM Diet?
For maximum healing after the POEM procedure, one must follow a Post POEM diet. Post POEM diet is prescribed for the first two weeks after the procedure. Foods that have been blended or pureed are used in the post-POEM diet. You can consume ANY food as long as it has been mixed into a smooth consistency. It's also a good idea to strain your blended food to get rid of any seeds or clumps.
To minimize the risk of food poisoning, always clean or sanitize all parts of the blender. If you don't have access to a blender, baby foods (including squeeze pouches/to-go smoothies) may be used.
Tips on how to get enough Proteins and Calories while on Post POEM Diet
- Using high-calorie drinks instead of water, such as 100% juices, whole milk, non-dairy milk substitutes, and liquid meal replacement beverages, which can have both calories and fluid.
- Add basic, unflavored protein powder to your drinks, such as pea-based, whey-based, soy-based, or any other protein powder.
- Add 2 teaspoons of nonfat dry milk powder to 1 cup milk (or 1 cup powder to 1-quart milk) to fortify it. Make a beverage out of it or use it in recipes that call for milk.
- Instead of skim or 2 per cent milk, use whole milk, evaporated milk, coconut milk, or silken tofu to make “cream” soups, custards, puddings, milkshakes, or creamy fruit/vegetable smoothies.
- Custards and puddings may be made with whole eggs, egg whites, or egg substitutes.
Use smooth yoghurts that are free of fruit chunks and seeds. Choose yogurts that are high in protein, such as Icelandic or Greek variants. Read the nutritional information on the labels.
Make your own shakes with ice cream (dairy or non-dairy) and liquid meal substitutes.
Make smoothies with your favourite yoghurt (dairy or non-dairy), a scoop of protein powder, your favourite creamy nut butter, a soft fruit without seeds or skin, and avocado (optional).
Q- What is the Reintroduction Phase?
If you've been on the post-POEM diet for at least two weeks and aren't experiencing any symptoms, it's time to gradually go back to a normal diet.
- Bring back 1 new food from the "FIRST TO REINTRODUCE" list every day; begin with small doses (2 tablespoons - 1/4 cup) in the morning and double the dose later in the day if well tolerated. If no signs show, this food can be reintroduced into the diet, and the next day you can move on to a new food from the “FIRST TO REINTRODUCE” list.
- When you've safely reintroduced all of the foods from the "FIRST TO REINTRODUCE" list, you will move on to the "SECOND TO REINTRODUCE" list in the same manner as before.
- Start reintroducing the “LAST TO REINTRODUCE” in the same manner as the “SECOND TO REINTRODUCE” list until all foods from the “SECOND TO REINTRODUCE” list are safely back in the diet.
- Stop reintroducing foods and contact your doctor or dietitian if you experience any symptoms.
Reintroduction Phase Foods