To explore the effectiveness of evidence-based nutrition management in improving the nutritional status of postoperative patients with esophageal cancer. The evidence-based nursing method was used to obtain evidence and apply it to clinical practice after localization. The nutrition management plan for patients with esophageal cancer surgery was formulated, and the clinical behavior of doctors and nurses was standardized. The body weight and body composition index, standard rate of energy and protein intake, and postoperative hospital stay of patients with esophageal cancer surgery were compared before and after the application of the best evidence. The improvement of body weight, BMI and skeletal muscle in the intervention group were significantly better than those in the control group (all P < 0.01). The compliance rate of energy intake from the first to the fifth day after operation and the compliance rate of protein intake from the first to the sixth day after operation in the intervention group were better than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). The median postoperative hospital stay was 9 days in the intervention group and 10 days in the control group, which shortened the length of hospital stay (p < 0.01) and accelerated the recovery of patients after surgery. Evidence-based nutrition management can improve the nutritional status and clinical outcomes of patients with esophageal cancer after surgery, which is conducive to improving the quality of medical care.