Along with exercise, eating healthy will speed up your recovery and healing. If your appetite is poor, try to eat smaller but more frequent meals. Depending on your condition, your doctor or dietician may put you on a special diet. For example, patients with heart failure must follow a 2,000 mg low-sodium diet.Diabetic patients must follow a low-sugar, low-fat diet.Tips to healthy eating: 1  Eat a variety of healthy foods. 2  Choose foods low in fat and cholesterol. 3  Eat less salt or sodium. 4  Cut back on sugar and sweets. 5  Eat more carbohydrates (potatoes, rice, pasta, vegetables) and fiber (roughage). 6  Limit portion sizes.epending on your condition, your doctor or dietician may put you on a special diet. For example, patients with heart failure must follow a 2,000 mg low-sodium diet. Diabetic patients must follow a low-sugar, low-fat diet.