Food For Thought: Which Foods and Vitamins Help to Heal Wounds?
This post was reviewed by our Director of Clinical Excellence and Oversight.
Meals to Promote Healing
In general, it is good to eat a variety of foods from the four major food groups, which are:
- Vegetables and fruits
- Grains
- Milk or milk alternatives
- Meat or meat alternatives
There are three major categories to pay attention to when planning a wound-friendly diet: calories, fluid intake, and protein.
Calories
The first thing to pay attention to is caloric intake. Extra calories are needed to create the energy the body needs to heal, but healthy calories are key. Always speak to your doctor before deciding to start a new meal plan.
Protein
Protein is a nutrient that is critical in helping to build and maintain muscle mass. Therefore, it is especially important to have a protein-rich diet when dealing with a wound. The following are examples of protein-rich foods to try to incorporate into each meal and snack:
- Cheese
- Eggs
- Soy beverages
- Fish
- Meat
- Poultry
- Milk
- Tofu
- Yogurt
Hydration
Most adults need to drink 64 ounces of water a day, about eight glasses. This is especially important when healing a wound. Water is the best hydration source, but milk, juice, or tea can also help keep skin healthy as long as the drinks are not too sugary. Doctors suggest keeping a glass of water nearby throughout the day to encourage drinking between meals.
Vitamins on a Mission
Having a diet packed with healthy vitamins is a good thing. However, there are specific vitamins that are wound healing superheroes. Vitamins A, C, and zinc are all examples of vitamins to add to a diet when dealing with a wound. Supplements are a great way to incorporate these into a diet, but there are also many healthy food options. You should always speak to your doctor before introducing a new vitamin or supplement into your routine.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A can be found in:
- Apricots
- Cantaloupes
- Carrots
- Cheese
- Eggs
- Leafy Greens
- Liver
- Mangos
- Milk
- Papayas
- Pumpkins
- Sweet Potatoes
Vitamin C
Vitamin C can be found in:
- Broccoli
- Brussel Sprouts
- Cantaloupes
- Citrus Fruits
- Kiwis
- Papayas
- Potatoes
- Strawberries
- Sweet Bell Peppers
- Tomatoes
- Fruit Juices
Zinc
Zinc is technically a mineral, and it can be found in:
- Eggs
- Fish
- Beans
- Lentils
- Liver
- Meat
- Milk
- Nuts and Seeds
- Poultry
- Seafood
Home Care Delivered Can Help
Home Care Delivered (HCD) can help keep your wounds covered as they heal with a wide variety of dressings, foams, gauze, tapes, and more that can be delivered directly to your door. Our product specialists can help you choose the right product for your needs. We’ll take care of the paperwork, and follow up with you each month to make sure you’re satisfied. To sign up, enter your phone number in the bottom left of the screen, and a specialist will call you. Signing up only takes a few minutes. Contact us today to get your first order shipped as soon as possible, and see why we’re the highest-rated medical supplier.
Get Insurance-Covered Wound Supplies
Accurate Orders | We Handle the Paperwork
Disclaimer:
Unless otherwise noted, the recommendations in this document were obtained from the sources indicated. Be advised that information contained herein is intended to serve as a useful reference for informational purposes only. HCD cannot be held responsible for the continued accuracy of or for any errors or omissions in the information. All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.