Thursday, February 1, 2018

Five Nutritional Ways to Boost Wound Healing

Clean wounds on a healthy individual heal quickly, unlike those on individuals who are inactive and need medical attention. For example, bed sores develop on bones located close to the skin in those who are unable to move their body position frequently. In addition, diabetes patients have a higher risk of developing foot ulcers that may take a while to heal. Fortunately, food and nutrition can positively impact the healing process of a wound by increasing the energy, protein allowance, and vitamin and mineral intake of an individual. Nutrients can be lost through the fluid of wounds, so strictly following a meal plan provided by a Registered Dietitian is crucial for a fast recovery. 
5 Recovery Tips:
     Following each of these tips will help decrease the pain from a wound and also help an individual understand the importance of nutrition in relation to their own life. 
1.   Have a balanced diet. Make sure to eat nutrient-dense foods, foods high in nutrients and low in calories. Plan to eat from each of the food groups in MyPlate including fruits, vegetables, (whole) grains, dairy, and protein. 
2.   Eat about 20-30 grams of protein in one meal and approximately 10 to 15 grams of protein in each snack. It is important to know that the serving size of meat such as chicken, salmon, or steak is close to a deck of cards, or three ounces. Eggs, peanut butter, low-fat milk, and yogurt are some examples of foods with a high protein content. 
3.   Hydrate. Drinking around eight glasses a day along with tea, coffee, milk, and 100% fruit juice will increase the likelihood of a fast healing process.
4.   Increase the amount of vitamin and mineral intake. Developing a meal plan with a Dietitian will help suit your needs as well as optimize the number of calories, fluids, protein, etc. in your diet. 
5.   Consult with a Dietitian to create a blood sugar management plan for prevention of another wound. Diabetes patients especially need to watch their sugar intake to decrease the likelihood of another serious wound occurring. 

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