Essential Nutrition Guide
What you eat directly impacts how quickly your wound heals. Learn which nutrients are essential and how to optimize your diet for faster, better healing.
Your body needs specific nutrients to repair damaged tissue, fight infection, and build new healthy skin. Without proper nutrition, wounds heal slower, are more likely to become infected, and may not heal completely.
Protein provides the raw materials to rebuild tissue
Vitamins and minerals support immune function
Calories fuel the healing process
Studies show that malnutrition can delay wound healing by 50% or more. Even mild nutritional deficiencies can significantly impact your body's ability to heal. If you have a chronic wound, optimizing your nutrition should be a top priority.
These key nutrients play critical roles in the healing process. Make sure your diet includes adequate amounts of each.
Protein is the building block of tissue repair. Your body uses amino acids from protein to rebuild skin, muscles, and blood vessels. Inadequate protein intake is the #1 nutritional cause of poor wound healing.
How Much You Need:
Adults with wounds need 1.2-2.0 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day (about double normal requirements). For a 150 lb (68 kg) person, that's 80-135 grams of protein daily.
Essential for collagen formation—the protein that gives skin its strength and structure. Vitamin C also acts as an antioxidant and supports immune function.
Daily Goal: 100-200 mg (more than the standard RDA)
Smokers need even more vitamin C (add 35mg/day) as smoking depletes vitamin C stores
Critical for cell division, protein synthesis, and immune function. Zinc deficiency is common in people with chronic wounds and can significantly delay healing.
Daily Goal: 15-30 mg for wound healing
Caution: Don't exceed 40mg/day without medical supervision—too much zinc can interfere with copper absorption
Supports immune function, cell growth, and the formation of new blood vessels. Vitamin A also helps counteract the negative effects of steroids on wound healing.
Daily Goal: 900 mcg for men, 700 mcg for women
Reduces inflammation and supports immune function. Many people with chronic wounds are deficient.
Sources: Fatty fish, fortified milk, egg yolks, sunlight exposure, supplements
Antioxidant that protects cell membranes and supports immune function.
Sources: Nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, spinach, avocado
Important for blood clotting and bone health.
Sources: Leafy greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, fermented foods
Carries oxygen to healing tissues. Deficiency causes anemia and impairs healing.
Sources: Red meat, poultry, fish, beans, fortified cereals, spinach
Support energy production and cell metabolism.
Sources: Whole grains, meat, eggs, dairy, leafy greens, legumes
Essential for circulation and nutrient delivery. Dehydration slows healing.
Goal: 8-10 cups of water daily (more if you have drainage)
Healing requires 20-50% more calories than normal. Don't restrict calories while healing.
Goal: 30-35 calories per kg body weight
This sample day provides approximately 100-120 grams of protein and includes wound-healing nutrients. Adjust portions based on your needs.
Total: ~50g protein
Total: ~26-31g protein
Total: ~48-53g protein
Total: ~31g protein
Total: ~43-50g protein
Total: ~20g protein
Daily Total: 218-255g Protein
This exceeds most people's needs—adjust portions based on your body weight and provider's recommendations
Don't save all your protein for dinner. Spread it throughout the day for better absorption and utilization. Aim for 25-30g protein per meal.
If you struggle to eat enough, protein shakes and powders are an easy way to boost intake. Choose high-quality whey, casein, or plant-based options.
Dehydration slows healing. Drink water throughout the day. If you have significant wound drainage, you may need even more fluids.
Colorful fruits and vegetables provide diverse vitamins and antioxidants. Aim for different colors every day—red, orange, yellow, green, blue/purple.
Ask your provider about a multivitamin or specific supplements (vitamin C, zinc, vitamin D) if you have deficiencies or difficulty meeting needs through food.
Regular eating maintains steady nutrient supply to healing tissues. If appetite is poor, eat smaller portions more frequently (5-6 times daily).
Prep high-protein meals and snacks in advance. Keep easy protein sources on hand: hard-boiled eggs, Greek yogurt, cheese, nuts, protein bars.
If you have complex medical conditions (diabetes, kidney disease, etc.) or struggle with nutrition, ask for a referral to a registered dietitian.
While focusing on what TO eat is most important, certain foods can interfere with healing and should be limited:
High sugar intake can suppress immune function and, in diabetics, elevate blood glucose which impairs healing. Limit sweets, sodas, and processed foods.
Interferes with protein synthesis, depletes nutrients, and impairs immune function. Avoid or strictly limit alcohol while healing.
Lack essential nutrients and may contain inflammatory ingredients. Choose whole, minimally processed foods instead.
Found in some fried foods and baked goods. Promote inflammation. Check labels and avoid "partially hydrogenated oils."
Don't Smoke: Smoking is one of the worst things for wound healing—it reduces blood flow, oxygen delivery, and nutrient absorption.
Tip: Print this checklist and track your daily nutrition to ensure you're supporting optimal healing.
Our wound care team can help you optimize your nutrition for better healing. We can also refer you to a registered dietitian if needed.
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