Nutrition for Wound Healing

If you have a new or chronic wound, good nutrition can help support healing. Nutrients from foods help your body build and repair tissue and heal wounds. Good nutrition can also help you fight infection. During healing, your body may need more calories and protein. And if you have diabetes, it’s very important to control your blood sugar to help your wound heal.

You may want to talk to a registered dietitian to come up with a nutrition plan.

Nutrients you need

Nutrition helps give your body the energy it needs to repair tissues and heal wounds. Nutrients you need from food to keep you healthy include:

• Protein. Protein can help build tissue and prevent infections. It’s found in meats, fish, eggs, cheese, milk, nuts, and beans.

• Carbohydrates. These help give your body the energy it needs to heal. Carbohydrates are found in grains, fruits, beans, and other legumes.

• Fats. Healthy fats help your organs, skin, hair, and brain. They also help your body absorb certain vitamins.

• Vitamins. These include vitamins C, D, B-6, B-12, folate, and others. These help your body repair tissues and use energy.

• Minerals. These include iron, magnesium, calcium, and zinc. These help with many things. They can make sure your cells have enough oxygen. They also help your nervous system work well. And they help your bones stay strong.

Preparing healthy meals

When making meals each day, follow the guidelines from MyPlate. Your basic daily diet should include:

• Fruits and vegetables. Fruits may be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried. They also may be whole, cut up, or puréed. Vegetables may be fresh, frozen, canned, or dried. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.

• Grains. All foods made from grains are part of the grains group. These include wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, and barley. You can find grains in foods such as bread, pasta, oatmeal, cereal, tortillas, and grits. Grains should be no more than a quarter of your plate. Aim to make whole grains at least half of your daily grain intake.

• Protein. This group includes meat, poultry, seafood, beans and peas. It also includes eggs, processed soy products such as tofu, nuts (including nut butters), and seeds.

• Dairy. All fluid milk products and foods made from milk that contain calcium such as yogurt and cheese are part of the dairy group.

• Oils. These are fats that are liquid at room temperature. Oils are not a food group, but they provide important nutrients your body needs. They include canola, corn, olive, soybean, and sunflower oil. Some foods are naturally high in healthy oils, such as nuts, avocados, olives, and some fish. Foods that are mainly oil include mayonnaise, certain salad dressings, and soft (tub) margarines.

Getting enough protein

Protein helps your body build and repair tissues. It also helps your immune system work well. This helps protect wounds from infection and let them heal. To get enough protein while you’re healing, you can:

• Add protein to every meal. This includes turkey, chicken, beef, pork, lamb, fish, shellfish, eggs, and cheese. Protein is also found in foods such as nuts, nut butters, beans and other legumes, seeds, and tofu. You can also get protein from animal milk and soy milk.

• Have protein supplements between meals. There are many kinds of protein drinks and other protein supplements. These have protein from whey, soy, and other sources. If you have trouble digesting lactose or soy, ask your health care provider which type of protein supplement may be best for you.

Adding vitamin C

Research has shown that vitamin C can help with tissue health and repair. Add vitamin C to your diet while your wound is healing. You can get vitamin C in your diet by eating or drinking juice from citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes.

Other food sources of vitamin C include tomatoes, potatoes, and strawberries. It's also in green and red bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and kiwifruit. You can also get vitamin C from tablets and chewables.

Adding zinc

Zinc helps your body's immune system and helps make protein to heal wounds. Choose whole grains and eat protein, such as eggs, meat, dairy, or seafood. Zinc is better absorbed from animal sources such as beef and seafood. Good vegetarian sources include wheat germ, beans, nuts, and tofu.

Controlling your blood sugar

If you have diabetes and you have wounds, it’s important to control your blood sugar. High blood sugar can slow wound healing and make it easier for wounds to get infected. Take good care to manage your diet. Take your diabetes medicine and measure your blood sugar as directed. Tell your health care provider if your blood sugar is not under control. They can help you get it back on track.