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Wound Healing and your Diet

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 2, 2024.

Your body uses nutrients from healthy foods to heal wounds caused by injury, surgery, or pressure injuries. There is no special diet that will heal your wound, but a healthy meal plan can help your wound heal faster. Nutrients that are important for healing are protein, zinc, and vitamin C. Liquids are also important for wound healing.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Follow a healthy meal plan:

Good sources of protein:

Your dietitian will tell you how much protein and how many calories you need each day. The average amount of protein in foods is listed below in grams (g). To find the exact amount of protein in a food, read the food labels on packaged items.

Sources of Protein

How to add extra protein:

Good sources of vitamin C:

Vitamin C is found in fruits and vegetables. Fruits such as oranges, strawberries, grapefruit, cantaloupe, and tangerines are good sources of vitamin C. Red and green bell peppers, broccoli, potatoes, tomatoes, and cabbage are also high in vitamin C.

Sources of Vitamin C

Good sources of zinc:

Good sources of zinc are beef, liver, and crab. Smaller amounts of zinc are found in sunflower seeds, almonds, peanut butter, eggs, and milk. Other foods that contain zinc include wheat germ, black-eyed peas, and whole-grain products.

How to add extra calories to foods:

Your dietitian may recommend that you add extra calories to your meals if you are not eating enough. You can increase calories by adding butter, margarine, sugar, or jam to foods. Work with your dietitian if you have other medical conditions and need to follow a special diet.

What else you should know about nutrients and wound healing:

Your healthcare provider or dietitian may recommend vitamin and nutrition supplements if your body is low in certain nutrients. If your dietitian recommends a liquid nutrition supplement, take it between meals. Ask your healthcare provider which supplements are right for you.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.