Most people have experienced a wound at some time in their lives. Healing wounds such as burns, cuts and surgical incisions requires both time and attention, yet it is very important. If wounds aren't cared for properly, they can become infected. In addition to things like cleaning and changing bandages, good nutrition also plays a major role in healing wounds. Johns Hopkins Medicine states that protein helps speed healing and repairing of the body's tissues and can make the recovery time for wounds faster.
Step 1
Snack often instead of eating only two or three large meals a day. Eating more often can help you to get enough calories and protein in each day so that your wound heals faster. According to CWI Medical, people with wounds need to consume between 1,700 and 3,150 calories a day and between 75 and 100 g of protein per day. It would be very hard to meet these nutritional requirements by only eating three meals per day. Instead, you should have a small meal every two to four hours.
Step 2
Include at least one protein-rich food at every meal and every snack so that you can meet your protein requirements. Johns Hopkins Medicine states that protein-rich foods include beef, chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, milk, cheese, cottage cheese and beans. Soy products, tofu and peanut butter are also rich in protein.
You may need to use a protein supplement, such as shakes made from protein powder, if you cannot eat a natural food source of protein at every snack. Be creative in combining different protein-rich foods and carbohydrates to make the best snacks. For example, instead of having a snack which has no protein, like a plain banana, try adding some protein and healthy fat by eating the banana with 2 to 4 tbsp. of peanut butter and a glass of milk.
Step 3
Eat a variety of different sources of protein to get all the amino acids you need. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, meaning protein-rich foods all have amino acids which combine together to form proteins. There are a variety of different types of amino acids, all which have their own individual benefits. It is important to get a variety of different amino acids, such as tryptophan from turkey, and lysine from cheese. Eating only one protein-rich food all day long could compromise the body's ability to heal itself. The more variety you can add into your diet, the better.
