Your skin is a defensive barrier that protects your internal organs and tissues from the external environment. A significant burn causes a myriad of hormonal and immunological responses in your body, culminating in a hypermetabolic state. The increased metabolic rate associated with a serious burn translates into increased caloric and nutritional needs. Meeting your nutritional needs after a serious burn is an important factor affecting the course and speed of your recovery.
Increase Daily Protein Intake
Burns increase the production, use and breakdown of proteins in your body. High rates of immune system and skin cell production, loss of protein-rich fluid through the open wound and increased production of glucose by your liver contribute to a substantially increased need for dietary protein. In a 2007 review article published in the journal "Burns," dietitian Kathy Prelack and colleagues state that burn patients require 1.5 grams or more of dietary protein per kilogram of body weight daily. This equates to roughly 100 grams of protein daily for a 150-pound adult, approximately double the amount needed by a healthy adult.
Protein with Every Meal and Snack
Meeting the high level of protein intake your body requires to heal from a serious burn is challenging. Including high-quality protein in every meal and snack helps keep you on track. Protein-rich foods include eggs, red meat, poultry, seafood, milk, cheese, yogurt, soybeans and nuts. High-protein nutrition bars and shakes are also good sources of quality protein.
Make Every Morsel Count
The hypermetabolic state associated with a serious burn necessitates a high-calorie diet to provide the fuel your body needs to heal. To achieve your target energy intake, every morsel of food you consume should provide you with an abundance of calories and nutrients. Try bean salad rather than a lettuce salad. If you want a piece of toast, top it with a nut butter. Add butter, cream, mayonnaise, olive oil or cheese to your recipes to increase the calorie count. Keep high-calorie nutritious snacks available to munch on when you get hungry, such as nuts, dried fruit, cheese cubes, whole-grain crackers, pudding and granola. Minimize your intake of low-calorie foods and avoid drinking large beverages with meals to optimize your consumption of solid food. Avoid high-calorie foods that do not provide you with other nutrients, such as soda pop and candy. Talk with your doctor or dietitian if you are losing weight or have questions about your nutrition plan.
Keep the Nutritious Carbs
Carbohydrates are a key source of calories and an important source of energy to help you heal from a serious burn. Complex carbohydrates from rice, beans, potatoes and whole-grain breads and cereals provide you with a substantial number of calories in addition to a variety of vitamins and minerals. Fruit is an excellent source of natural sugars. Eating dried fruit is a good option because the sugars and other nutrients are present in a concentrated form. Substitute fruit juice for water, tea or coffee to further boost your carbohydrate intake.
Supplemental Feeding
If you cannot obtain a sufficient number of calories and nutrients through your diet, your doctor may recommend supplemental feeding. The nutrients may be delivered through a tube inserted into your digestive system or directly into your bloodstream. Although you may be discouraged by this development, supporting your body with supplemental feeding can help speed your recovery.
References
- "Burns"; Practical Guidelines for Nutritional Management of Burn Injury and Recovery; Kathy Prelack, M.S., R.D., et al.; February 2007
- "Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids (Macronutrients)"; Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, Food and Nutrition Board; 2005
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 18, Protein (g) Content of Selected Foods per Common Measure
- "Understanding Normal and Clinical Nutrition"; Sharon Rady Rolfes, M.S., R.D., et al.; 2009
- Burn Injury Resource Center; Nutrition and Burns; Hadeer Al-Amiri, M.D.; March 2010
Member Comments