Nutrition and Wound Healing

Good nutrition is necessary for wound healing. During the healing process, the body needs increased amounts of calories, protein and vitamins A and C.

Goals for healthy eating

• Follow a well-balanced eating plan with food from each food group:
  • grains
  • vegetables
  • fruits, meat and beans
  • milk
  • oil

• Refer to www.choosemyplate.gov for specific serving recommendations of each food group.

• Eat 10-15 calories/pound of body weight.
• Eat 1/2 gram of protein/pound body of weight.
• Include “power foods” such as:
  • Protein: At least two to three servings per day
    • Beef, fish, poultry, pork, veal, lamb, eggs
    • Cheese, milk, yogurt
    • Tofu, beans and peas, nuts and seeds
  • Vitamin A: At least one serving per day
    • Dark green, leafy vegetables
    • Orange or yellow vegetables
    • Orange fruits
    • Fortified dairy products
    • Liver
  • Vitamin C: At least one serving a day
    • Citrus fruits
    • Strawberries, tomatoes
    • Peppers, potatoes, spinach
    • Broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage