Illness is associated with involuntary weight loss, which is often the result of malnutrition. The undernourished surgical patient runs a higher risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality. For this reason, perioperative nutrition is an important part of a patient's therapy. Supplying substrates for wound healing and maintaining existing organic structures are the major goals of nutrition. It is recommended that extremely malnourished patients be fed at least 7 days prior to surgery. It would seem sensible to give a carbohydrate-rich beverage up to 2 hours before surgery, both to decrease preoperative anxiety and to reduce postoperative insulin resistance. The Dutch tradition of fasting patients before surgery is difficult to defend any longer because this policy impairs patients' state of health as a result of which they are not optimally prepared for the surgical induced stress response. The postoperative recovery of all surgical patients can be improved by an early postoperative start of enteric nutrition. When the enteric administration of food turns out to be impossible, total parenteral nutrition can be given to bridge a long period without food.