Food as Treatment – Eating for Wound Healing

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How do wounds occur?

Wounds occur when the skin is broken or damaged through injury or surgical incision. The skin can be damaged in a variety of ways depending on the cause of the injury e.g. trauma (puncture wounds, scalds); pressure or friction (pressure ulcers, abrasions). The lower limbs in particular can be prone to diabetic and venous ulcers which may have started with trauma (e.g. stubbing a toe, stepping on a nail) or through repeated irritation (e.g. tight fitting shoes, hot water bathing) which combined with poor blood circulation results in skin damage.

What are pressure ulcers?

Pressure ulcers are a type of wound caused by prolonged pressure being applied to an area of skin which starves the blood supply. This leads to damage of the skin and tissues below. Pressure ulcers commonly affect people that are bedbound or immobile and so are often called bed sores, pressure sores or pressure damage.

Nutrition and wound healing

Wounds can occur in people who have poor nutrition, who are not consuming enough fluid, energy, protein, vitamins and minerals which can delay healing and increase the risk of complications. Sometimes wounds occur in people who are eating well. However, it might be that they still need extra nutrients to help the wounds to heal.

Are you getting the nourishment you need?

All people with wounds should aim to have a healthy, well balanced diet (as depicted on the plate overleaf) which provides all the nutrients we need.

This includes:

• Starchy carbohydrates e.g. bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and breakfast cereals
• Protein e.g. meat, fish, eggs, beans, lentils, soya products
•  Milk and dairy foods e.g. yoghurts, fromage frais, crème fraiche and hard / cream cheeses
• Fruit and vegetables
• Fluid

Protein:

Include a high protein food at each meal, such as:

• Meat or meat products e.g. beef, lamb, pork, bacon, sausages
• Poultry e.g. chicken, turkey, duck
• Fish e.g. cod, mackerel, pilchards, sardines, tuna, salmon
• Vegetarian protein options e.g. tofu, soya mince, Quorn
• Eggs
• Dairy or dairy products e.g. milk, cheese, yoghurts, milk puddings
• Nuts and seeds
• Beans and pulses

Vitamins, minerals and trace elements:

Fruit and vegetables contain vitamins, minerals and trace elements that are required for wound healing. Aim for five portions of fruit and vegetables each day to help meet your daily needs.

Below are some ways in which you can incorporate fruit or vegetables into your meals:

• Add chopped fruit (fresh or dried) to porridge, yogurt or cereals
• Have a glass of fruit juice each day
• Have fresh, tinned or dried fruit as a snack
• Have vegetables in soup or with hot meals
• Have salad with sandwiches or baked potatoes
• Add vegetables to stews or casseroles

Should I take a vitamin and mineral supplement?

If you find it hard to eat five portions of fruit or vegetables each day, a vitamin and mineral supplement may be beneficial, so discuss this with your doctor or ask to be referred to a dietitian.

Fluid:

Try to drink 6 to 8 glasses (1.5 to 2 litres) of fluid each day which will support wound healing and is important for your general health.

• Water, tea, coffee, squash, juices, fizzy drinks, milk and milky drinks all count as fluids
• Milky drinks such as hot chocolate, latte, malted drinks and milkshakes are particularly good as they contain both calories and protein

Energy:

You may struggle to eat enough energy (calories) if you have a poor appetite. Here are some tips which will help you improve your intake:

• Choose full fat or high energy food varieties e.g. whole milk, thick and creamy yoghurts. Avoid low calorie options e.g. skimmed milk, diet yoghurts, light hot chocolate
• Eating 4 to 6 smaller meals or snacks may be easier than the traditional 3 larger meals per day
• Avoid drinking before you eat as this will fill you up l If you are struggling to prepare foods use convenience foods or ready meals
• Try fortifying your diet by adding extra protein and calories to foods (see table on page 6 for ideas)
• Include extra snacks between meals
• Have regular nourishing drinks and try fortified milk

Fortified Milk:

This is higher in calories and protein than ordinary cows milk and can be used as a drink, in tea / coffee / hot chocolate / Ovaltine/ Horlicks, on breakfast cereals, or added to your recipes e.g. sauces and puddings.

Calorie and protein content:
1 pint full cream milk: 386kcal, 19g protein
1 pint fortified milk (using recipe below): 630kcal, 35g protein

How to Make Fortified Milk:
1 pint full cream milk
5 tablespoons (about 32g) milk powder

Mix the milk powder with a small quantity of milk to make a smooth runny paste, add this to the remainder of the milk and mix thoroughly.

How to add extra protein and calories to your food

Sample Menus

Nutritional supplements

If you are still struggling with your appetite or if you are losing weight there are a variety of nutritional supplements available over the counter or on prescription that may be helpful. Please discuss this with your doctor or ask for a referral to a registered dietitian.

What if I am overweight?

Being overweight puts more pressure on your body, especially if you are not able to move around very much. However, trying to lose weight whilst you have pressure ulcers may slow down healing so you may want to delay starting a low calorie dietary plan.

What if I am diabetic?

High blood sugars can make it harder for your wounds to heal and keeping blood sugars within a healthy range can also prevent wound complications, such as infection, occurring. It is therefore important to check your blood sugar levels regularly if you are diabetic or have a history of raised blood sugars. Please speak to your nurse or doctor if you are not currently checking your own blood sugar levels.

Who can I contact for further information and advice?