Eating well for wound healing Kai pai mō te whakarauoratanga

Protein is the most important nutrient for wound healing. Include a protein-rich food at every meal and snack. Protein helps:

• build new skin and tissue
• keep new skin healthy and your muscles strong.

Protein-rich foods include:

• lean meat and chicken
• fish
• eggs
• milk and milk products such as cheese and yoghurt
• cooked dried beans, split peas and lentils
• nuts and seeds.

Tips to eat more protein

• Add a tablespoon of skim milk powder to porridge, mashed potato or hot milk drinks (stir well).
• If you have porridge, make it with milk instead of water.
• Have milk or milky drinks such as fruit smoothies, or coffee or Milo made with milk.
• Sprinkle grated cheese on soups, cooked vegetables, baked beans and egg dishes.
• Add seeds or chopped nuts to breakfast cereals, salads, and stir-fries.
• Add split red lentils to soups and casseroles.
• Try cheese, hummus or peanut butter on crackers.
• If you prefer a savoury breakfast, have eggs on toast.
• Have yoghurt as a snack.

Vegetables and fruit

Eat at least 5 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruit every day. A serving is about a handful. Choose a variety of different coloured vegetables and fruit. This provides a range of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to keep you healthy and help your wound heal.

Wholegrain foods

Every day have wholegrain foods. Have at least one meal based around a wholegrain such as:

• wholegrain bread
• rolled oats
• high fibre breakfast cereal
• brown rice
• wholemeal pasta
• barley
• quinoa.

Drink at least 8 cups of fluid every day. You may need more if your wound is losing a lot of fluid. 

Where possible, have milk or milky drinks such as fruit smoothies, or coffee or Milo made with milk. These drinks will also provide you with protein. You can also have tea, coffee and water.

If you do not like or tolerate dairy, plant milks are an option. These are mostly low in protein but soy milk has a similar amount of protein as cow's milk.

If you are underweight, you may need an oral nutrition supplement drink such as Complan. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

Drinking too much alcohol can affect your healing. You should limit how much alcohol you drink while your wound is still healing.

If you are eating well and having the foods recommended above, there is no need to take supplements to support your wound healing.

If you are not eating well and are avoiding a food group such as vegetables and fruit, you may need a supplement. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.