What to Eat After PRP Injection: A Doctor's Complete Guide to Healing Foods
By Dr. Evan Queler, MD - Board-Certified Physiatrist & Lifestyle Medicine Expert
This isn't the easiest question to answer—mostly because it's deceptively simple. Still, it's one I get all the time from patients in my Midtown, NY practice:
"What should I eat after my PRP injection or fast?"
As a double board-certified physiatrist specializing in non-surgical orthopedic care, I understand that proper nutrition plays a crucial role in maximizing your platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment results. The truth is, what's good for you before a fast or procedure is just as important, and just as beneficial, afterward.
Why Post-PRP Nutrition Matters for Your Recovery
The foods that help you heal from musculoskeletal pain or maintain the benefits of fasting are the same ones that support long-term health: protecting against chronic diseases like Alzheimer's, heart disease, and cancer.
In fact, the foods that help your body naturally heal from PRP treatment are fundamentally about reducing inflammation and supporting tissue repair—the very foundation of successful regenerative medicine.
The Problem with "Quick Fix" Nutrition Advice
That advice, however, is not always exciting. In a world of fads and "quick fixes," the real answer can seem almost too simple. But here's what I've learned from years of helping patients optimize their healing: sustainable results come from sustainable practices.
What to Eat After PRP Injection: The Evidence-Based Approach
Eat a variety of minimally processed, whole foods. Mostly plants. And not too much.
This isn't just my opinion—it's the overwhelming consensus from countless medical societies, scientific studies, and national dietary guidelines.
Ultra-processed foods tend to strip out everything good (like fiber, water, and phytonutrients), while concentrating everything harmful (like added salt, fats, and sugars). The result is passive overconsumption, weight gain, and chronic inflammation that can slow healing and diminish long-term health.
The modern food landscape is designed to hijack your instincts, offering comfort at the cost of your well-being. You can only fight your instincts for so long, especially when the system is designed to keep you dependent on processed foods rather than supporting your body's natural healing abilities.
Eat a variety of minimally processed, whole foods. Mostly plants. And not too much.
Your Best Strategy for PRP Recovery: Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Your best chance at healing and optimal health is with a sustainable, familiar, convenient and affordable way of eating, centered on whole plant foods—where nothing good is taken out, and nothing harmful is added in.
The Top Foods for Post-PRP Healing
In my clinical experience, this is the best nutritional strategy to follow after PRP treatment:
• Salads - Rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients that combat inflammation
• Soups - Hydrating and nutrient-dense, perfect for supporting tissue repair
• Smoothies - Easy to digest while delivering concentrated healing nutrients
• Nourishing Bowls - Combine fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, mushrooms, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices for comprehensive nutrition
These foods nourish your cells, support tissue repair, and reduce inflammation—before and after PRP, fasting, or any other treatment. They work synergistically with your body's natural healing processes to optimize your results.
Understanding Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition
You likely already know this: a diet rich in whole plant foods is the definition of an anti-inflammatory diet. This isn't a trend—it's fundamental to how your body heals and maintains optimal function.
The Key to Sustainable Healing: Transform Your Environment
The problem isn't your willpower—it's your environment. It's not just tempting—it's persuasive. And that's what makes it hard to resist processed foods that work against your healing.
But here's the key to outsmarting your genes and your surroundings:
Work on your environment more than you work on yourself.
The Golden Rule: If It's in Your House, It's in Your Mouth
This is the most powerful principle I share with my patients. You don't need superhuman willpower when your environment is set up for success.
Start by making a radical (or small) change in your surroundings. Clear out the processed foods and stock your kitchen with the things you know will support your healing and longevity. You don't have to fight yourself every day if your environment is already working for you.
Your Next Step: Take Action Today
The most important question isn't what you should eat tomorrow—it's what you're willing to do right now.
Ask yourself: What small step am I willing to take today?
Whether you're preparing for PRP treatment, recovering from an injection, or simply want to optimize your body's natural healing abilities, the principle remains the same: nourish your body with whole, anti-inflammatory foods that support your long-term health and vitality.
Ready to Optimize Your Healing?
As a physiatrist specializing in non-surgical orthopedic care, I've seen firsthand how proper nutrition can dramatically enhance treatment outcomes. When you combine evidence-based regenerative treatments, such as PRP, with anti-inflammatory nutrition, you're giving your body the best possible chance to heal naturally and maintain that healing long-term.
Suppose you're dealing with musculoskeletal pain and want to explore how non-surgical treatments combined with lifestyle medicine can help you live pain-free while optimizing your healthspan. In that case, I'm here to help develop a personalized plan that works for your unique situation.
Schedule an appointment today and let's work together to achieve a pain-free body using natural, scientifically proven methods that support your overall health and longevity.
Dr. Evan Queler is a double board-certified Lifestyle Medicine Physiatrist with expertise in non-surgical orthopedic care, serving patients in Midtown, NY. He specializes in helping high-performing professionals eliminate pain through regenerative medicine, lifestyle optimization, and personalized care plans.
Ready to take the next step? Download my free Evidence-Based Anti-Inflammatory Diet Guide for PRP Recovery and start supporting your body's natural healing abilities today.