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.

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.

Try to include a variety of healthy foods. These include:

• Protein foods. This includes meat, poultry, seafood, beans and peas. It also includes eggs, processed soy products such as tofu, nuts (including nut butters), and seeds.
• Dairy. This includes milk, yogurt, and cheese. You can also choose fortified non-dairy alternatives, like soy milk.
• Vegetables and fruits. Try to include a variety of types and colors. They can be fresh, frozen, canned, or dried.
• Healthy fats. This includes foods such as avocados, nuts, seeds, nut butters, and oils like olive or canola oil.
• Whole grains. This includes whole wheat bread and pasta, brown rice, quinoa, barley, and oats.

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 doctor which type of protein supplement may be best for you.

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.

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.

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 doctor if your blood sugar is not under control. They can help you get it back on track.