A well-balanced diet with many different kinds of foods is more likely to contain the nutrients and energy necessary to heal wounds and pressure ulcers and help to prevent infection.
This leaflet is intended to provide useful advice and tips to help promote wound healing.
Top tips to promote wound healing
Aim to have a source of protein at each meal (see protein list for ideas)
Aim for 6 to 8 glasses of fluid a day
Aim for at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day
Aim to have iron rich foods regularly (for example meat, green leafy vegetables, eggs, pulses such as beans, peas and lentils, nuts, dried fruit)
Aim to have starchy carbohydrates at each meal for example potatoes, rice, pasta, breads and cereals. Choose wholegrain versions if possible
Include milk-based products such as drinks based on milk or soya milk, yoghurts and cheese
Hydration
If you are dehydrated, your skin can become dry, inelastic and fragile making you more likely to develop a pressure ulcer.
Aim to drink 6 to 8 glasses or mugs (1.5 to 2 litres) of water/fluids a day to keep your body and skin hydrated.
Protein
Alongside an adequate energy intake, protein will help reduce inflammation and encourage skin repair and healing.
You may also need extra protein if you have lost a lot of blood from your wound.
Foods containing 5 to 10g of protein per portion
- 1 thin slice of cooked ham
- 1 large or 2 thin sausages
- 2 fish fingers
- 1 egg
- 125g pot of fromage frais / Greek / natural yogurt
- 1 tablespoon (2oz) soft cheese
- Half a pint of milk or soya milk
- 1 custard tart
- 1 large tablespoon of peanut butter
- 1 small can of baked beans
- 1 handful of mixed nuts
Foods containing 10 to 15g of protein per portion
- 50g (2oz) slice of beef
- 1 small chicken drumstick
- 1 mackerel fillet
- Tuna / salmon in a sandwich
- 3 Quorn sausages
- 80g tofu
- 1 small tub (4oz) of cottage cheese
- 50g (2oz) hard cheese
Foods containing 20g or more of protein per portion
- 4oz/100g minced meat
- 1 small pork chop
- 4 oz/100g chicken breast
- 1 fillet of cod/salmon/haddock
- 1 small can of tuna or sardines
- 100g tempeh
- 200g high protein yoghurt
Vitamin and minerals
Many vitamins and minerals are involved at different stages of the wound healing process.
If you are eating good amounts of a varied diet, you should not need to take a vitamin and mineral supplement to help wounds heal.
If you are not eating very much or cannot manage a varied diet, you can take an A to Z or complete multivitamin and mineral supplement.
These can be bought from a supermarket or pharmacy.
What if I am overweight?
Further weight gain could result in excessive pressure to the wound, which may slow down the healing process.
Aim to limit high fat and high sugar foods such as sugary drinks, processed foods and pastries to avoid weight gain.
What if I have diabetes?
Poorly controlled diabetes can delay wound healing, and it is important to ensure good blood glucose control.
You should avoid adding sugar, honey, jams and syrup to foods and continue to take low sugar alternatives. Ask your nurse for advice if you have further questions.
What if I am underweight?
If you are underweight you may have less protective padding between your skin and bones. This can increase the chance of you developing pressure ulcers.
If you are underweight or have recently lost weight, an increase in energy (calories), carbohydrates, fats and protein would help promote a healthy weight and promote wound healing.
Tips for a poor appetite
Aim to have three regular meals per day, plus mid-morning, afternoon, and supper time snacks.
Use full fat versions of foods where possible such as full cream milk, thick and creamy yogurts and creamy soups
Add nutrient dense ingredients such as skimmed milk powder, pea protein powder, cheese, egg, Greek yoghurt or nut spread
Include drinks of milk or drinks based on milk each day. If you prefer plant-based options, soya milk has a similar amount of protein to cow’s milk, all other plant milks are much lower
Meal Ideas
Breakfast
- Porridge made with milk / breakfast cereal with added fruit or nuts
- Wholemeal toast spread with peanut butter
- Kippers / egg / beans on toast
Snacks
- Cheese on crackers
- A sandwich filled with cheese, ham, egg or fish
- A sandwich filled with cheese, ham, egg or fish
- Rice pudding or custard pot. *
- Portion of fruit and Greek yoghurt.
- Handful of nuts
Lunch and main meal
- Shepherd’s pie with grated cheese and vegetables
- Roast chicken with creamy mash and vegetables
- Creamy soup with bread and butter*
- Poached fish with white sauce, buttered potatoes and vegetables
- Spaghetti bolognaise (lean mince or Soy or Quorn mince)
- Scrambled egg on toast
- Tofu or tempeh with stir fried vegetables
Pudding and desserts
- Milky pudding for example rice pudding or semolina. *
- Yoghurts / mousse / trifle
- Sponge and custard. *
- Fruit and cream / low fat natural yoghurt.
* These foods are high in energy and need to be limited for those people that are overweight and / or have diabetes.
Contact numbers
Nutrition and dietetics (The James Cook University Hospital)
- Address: Marton Road, Middlesbrough TS4 3BW
- Tel: 01642 854777
- Email: [email protected]
Community dietetics – Langbaurgh House
- Address: Bow Street, Guisborough Cleveland, TS14 7AA
- Tel: 01642 944455
- Email: [email protected]
Nutrition and dietetics (Friarage Hospital)
- Address: Bullamoor Road, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL6 1 JG
- Tel: 01609 762012
- Email: [email protected]
Patient experience
If you would like to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact the patient experience team who will help you to do this.
This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.
- Telephone: 01642 854807
- Freephone: 0800 0282451
- Email: [email protected]
Opening times: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard (numbers below).
- The James Cook University Hospital telephone: 01642 850850
- The Friarage Hospital, telephone: telephone:01609779911
Leaflet ID: PI018
Review Date: 16 February 2029