What to Eat After Hip Replacement Surgery

By the Thrive Protocol editorial team. Medically reviewed by Dr. Patrick Denard, orthopaedic surgeon, on October 8, 2026

Generic "eat healthy" advice misses what a total hip replacement actually does to you: weak hip muscles, real blood loss, a low appetite and a kitchen you can't fully reach. Here's how to eat for each.

Why food matters more after a hip replacement

Your hip muscles start out behind. In a CT scan study of 20 patients, two muscles that move the hip were still 7.0% and 8.4% smaller on the operated side than on the healthy side two years after surgery [1]. Small study, clear point: muscle comes back through work and fuel, not by itself.

Less movement costs strength quickly. When 11 healthy adults with an average age of 67 spent 10 days in bed, their knee extensor strength fell by about 13%, even though they ate the recommended daily amount of protein [2]. You'll be up sooner, but moving far less than usual for weeks.

You lose more blood than the drain shows. In a study of 101 hip replacements, average total blood loss was about 1,510 mL, and roughly a quarter of it was "hidden" in the tissues rather than measured [10]. Across hip and knee replacement studies, about 1 in 4 people already have anemia before surgery, and about half have it afterward [9].

Your appetite may not cooperate. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) notes that some loss of appetite for several weeks is common, and that a balanced diet, often with an iron supplement, is part of recovery [3].

How much protein you need, with the math

For older adults recovering from illness or injury, the ESPEN expert group recommends 1.2 to 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day [5]. If you weigh 154 lb (70 kg): 70 x 1.2 = 84 g and 70 x 1.5 = 105 g a day.

How you spread it matters too. In a lab analysis, older men (average age about 71) needed about 0.40 g of protein per kilogram in one meal to get the full muscle-building response, versus about 0.24 g/kg for men in their twenties [6]. For a 70 kg person, 0.40 x 70 = 28 g. Three or four servings of about 28 grams lands you at 84 to 112 grams. One big steak at dinner after a day of toast and tea does not do the same job. If you have kidney disease, ask your doctor for your own target first.

What the hip studies show. The evidence is honest but mixed. In a randomized trial of 58 frail women aged 65 to 80, those who took protein and vitamin D daily from 4 weeks before to 8 weeks after surgery, on top of exercise, gained more strength in both knees and the non-operated hip than the exercise-only group. Strength in the operated hip's side muscles, walking tests and quality of life did not differ [7]. A trial of 31 older women given an amino acid drink after exercise sessions for one month found a similar pattern [8]. Protein supports the muscles you work in therapy. It doesn't replace the therapy.

Iron and vitamin C: rebuilding the blood you lost

Iron from meat, fish and poultry is easier to absorb than iron from plants. Foods rich in vitamin C, such as citrus, strawberries, tomatoes and potatoes, help you absorb plant iron, while black tea can bind iron and reduce absorption [11]. So have lean beef, chicken thighs or sardines a few times a week, pair beans, lentils or fortified cereal with fruit or tomatoes, and drink tea between meals rather than with them. Take an iron pill only if your doctor recommends one.

Vitamin D and calcium: the bone around your implant

Your new hip is anchored in your own bone, and that bone gets busy fast. In a 2026 trial of 39 adults with an average age of 71, a blood marker of new bone formation roughly tripled from before surgery to day 15 [15]. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, which is needed for normal bone formation [13]. Adults 19 to 70 need 600 IU of vitamin D a day; adults over 70 need 800 IU [13].

Low vitamin D is common in this group. In 60 US hip replacement patients, 30% were below 20 ng/mL and 65% were below 30 ng/mL, and those under 30 had lower hip function scores before and after surgery [12]. It was a small retrospective study, so it shows a link, not cause and effect. Ask your doctor whether yours was checked.

Good sources: milk, fortified plant milk, yogurt, cheese, canned salmon with the soft bones, sardines and eggs. On collagen: the same 2026 trial gave 15 grams of collagen protein a day for two weeks and saw no change in those bone markers [15]. Collagen counts toward your protein, but it isn't a shortcut for bone.

Fiber and fluids for pain-medicine constipation

The AAOS lists opioid pain pills and stool softeners among the usual home medications after hip replacement [4]. Opioids slow your gut, and sitting more slows it further. Keep prunes, kiwi, oatmeal and beans in rotation, keep water on your walker tray, and take every short walk your therapist approves.

Week-by-week eating plan after hip replacement

The 90-degree kitchen: eating well with hip precautions

With posterior hip precautions, the AAOS advises against bending at the waist past 90 degrees or picking things up off the floor while sitting, and suggests a high chair or barstool in the kitchen [4]. A reacher helps you grab things without bending your hip too far [3]. That puts low cabinets, the oven drawer and the bottom of the fridge out of reach for weeks. Before surgery:

• Move everyday foods, plates and mugs to counter height and the top two fridge shelves.
• Leave the pots, blender and protein powder out on the counter.
• Put a basket or tray on your walker and use lidded travel mugs for hot drinks.
• Keep a tall stool at the counter so you can prep sitting down, knees lower than hips.

Our post on preparing your home for orthopedic surgery recovery has more setup tips.

Hip replacement at 65, 70, 75 or 80: what changes

• Bigger protein servings. That's the 0.40 g/kg per meal finding above [6].
• Protein first on the plate. When appetite is small, eat the eggs or fish before the toast.
• Soft protein counts. If chewing is hard, lean on eggs, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, flaked fish, lentil soup and smoothies.
• Drink on a schedule. Have water or milk with every meal and snack rather than waiting to feel thirsty.
• More vitamin D after 70. The daily amount rises to 800 IU [13].
• A helper in the plan. Someone who stocks the fridge, opens packages and checks that meals get eaten makes a real difference.

If the surgery was for a broken hip after a fall rather than arthritis, see our guide on hip fracture surgery and what family members can do.

A sample day of small, frequent meals

• 8 am: Two scrambled eggs, whole grain toast, a small orange juice.
• 10:30 am: Greek yogurt with berries.
• 12:30 pm: Lentil soup and half a turkey and cheese sandwich.
• 3 pm: A protein shake or glass of milk, plus two prunes.
• 6 pm: Baked salmon, a baked potato and roasted tomatoes.
• 8:30 pm: Cottage cheese with sliced kiwi.

Grocery list for the first two weeks

• Protein: eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, milk, rotisserie chicken, deli turkey, canned salmon or sardines, ready-to-drink shakes.
• Iron and vitamin C: lentils, beans, fortified cereal, spinach, oranges, strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes.
• Calcium and vitamin D: milk or fortified plant milk, cheese, yogurt.
• For your gut: prunes, kiwi, pears, oatmeal, water.

Foods and habits to avoid after hip replacement

• Alcohol. The AAOS advises avoiding it [4], and it doesn't mix with opioids or sleep aids.
• Big swings in leafy greens on warfarin. Spinach, kale, broccoli and cabbage are rich in vitamin K, which affects how warfarin works [4]. Keep intake steady rather than cutting them out.
• "Tea and toast" days. Skipping protein because cooking is hard is an easy slip.
• New supplements without checking. See the box below.

When to call your care team

• Calf pain, tenderness or redness that isn't from the incision, or new swelling of your thigh, calf, ankle or foot [3].
• Sudden shortness of breath or chest pain, which can mean a clot has reached the lung [3]. Get emergency help.
• You can't keep food or fluids down for a day.
• No bowel movement for several days, or a hard, painful belly.
• You feel faint or dizzy, or you are losing weight without trying.

Where Thrive fits

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best food to eat after hip replacement surgery?

No single food. Aim for protein at every meal, iron-rich foods paired with vitamin C, daily calcium and vitamin D, and enough fiber and water.

How much protein do I need after hip replacement?

About 1.2 to 1.5 grams per kilogram of body weight a day is a common target for older adults recovering from surgery [5]. For a 70 kg (154 lb) adult that's 84 to 105 grams, spread over three or four meals.

Should I use protein powder after hip replacement?

It can help when appetite is low or cooking is hard with a walker. A shake needs no chopping and can sit on the counter within reach. Check the label for added herbs and tell your surgical team what you take.

What foods should I avoid after hip replacement?

Avoid alcohol, especially with pain medicine. On warfarin, keep vitamin K foods like spinach and kale steady rather than cutting them out [4]. Don't start new supplements without asking your surgeon.

Is it normal to have no appetite after hip replacement?

Yes, for several weeks [3]. Eat five or six small meals, put the protein first, and use milk or shakes when solid food doesn't appeal.

Does what I eat change if I'm 70 or 80?

The foods are the same, but protein portions matter more. Older muscles need a larger serving at each meal to respond fully [6], and adults over 70 need 800 IU of vitamin D a day [13].

References

1. Rasch A, Byström AH, Dalén N, Martinez-Carranza N, Berg HE. Persisting muscle atrophy two years after replacement of the hip. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2009;91(5):583-588. PubMed 19407289
2. Kortebein P, Symons TB, Ferrando A, et al. Functional impact of 10 days of bed rest in healthy older adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2008;63(10):1076-1081. PubMed 18948558
3. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Total Hip Replacement. OrthoInfo. orthoinfo.aaos.org
4. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Activities After a Hip Replacement. OrthoInfo. orthoinfo.aaos.org
5. Deutz NE, Bauer JM, Barazzoni R, et al. Protein intake and exercise for optimal muscle function with aging: recommendations from the ESPEN Expert Group. Clin Nutr. 2014;33(6):929-936. PubMed 24814383
6. Moore DR, Churchward-Venne TA, Witard O, et al. Protein ingestion to stimulate myofibrillar protein synthesis requires greater relative protein intakes in healthy older versus younger men. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2015;70(1):57-62. PubMed 25056502
7. Ninomiya K, Takahira N, Ikeda T, et al. Effects of perioperative exercise therapy combined with nutritional supplementation on functional recovery after fast-track total hip arthroplasty. J Orthop Sci. 2023;28(6):1291-1297. PubMed 36272926
8. Ikeda T, Matsunaga Y, Kanbara M, et al. Effect of exercise therapy combined with branched-chain amino acid supplementation on muscle strength in elderly women after total hip arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2019;28(4):720-726. PubMed 31826368
9. Spahn DR. Anemia and patient blood management in hip and knee surgery: a systematic review of the literature. Anesthesiology. 2010;113(2):482-495. PubMed 20613475
10. Sehat KR, Evans RL, Newman JH. Hidden blood loss following hip and knee arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2004;86(4):561-565. PubMed 15174554
11. MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine). Iron in diet. medlineplus.gov
12. Lavernia CJ, Villa JM, Iacobelli DA, Rossi MD. Vitamin D insufficiency in patients with THA: prevalence and effects on outcome. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2014;472(2):681-686. PubMed 23868422
13. MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine). Vitamin D. medlineplus.gov
14. Ang-Lee MK, Moss J, Yuan CS. Herbal medicines and perioperative care. JAMA. 2001;286(2):208-216. PubMed 11448284
15. Monsegue AP, Thudium CS, Wilms EJC, et al. Collagen protein supplementation does not modulate biomarkers of bone metabolism following total hip arthroplasty: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2026;73:103253. PubMed 41905472

This article is general education, not medical advice. Talk to your surgeon or physical therapist about your own recovery plan.

Related recovery guides

• What to eat after knee replacement surgery
• Protecting muscle after joint replacement
• Hip fracture surgery: what family members can do
• Hip replacement nutrition guide
• All nutrition guides by procedure