Energy: If your intake of energy is less than your requirements the management of wounds could be inhibited. The main sources of energy in the diet are carbohydrates and fat.
Protein: protein is required by the body to make new skin and muscle. Arginine is an amino acid (basic block of protein) which is important in wound care. A lot of protein is lost from the wound each day, so your body needs more protein than usual during the management of wounds.
Fluid: the skin requires increased intake of fluids to manage wounds. You should aim to drink a minimum of 1500ml or 6-8 cups of fluid a day – this can include water, milk, juice, squash, soup, tea or coffee. If you are on a fluid restricted diet, please discuss with your doctor or dietitian how much fluid you should take per day.
Vitamins and Minerals: vitamins, particularly vitamins A and C, and minerals, especially zinc, are important for wound management and normal function of the immune system.
Vitamin A is found in milk, cheese, eggs, oily fish, dark green vegetables, orange and red fruits and vegetables (such as sweet potatoes, carrots and peppers).
Vitamin C is found mostly in fruit and vegetables, such as oranges, grapefruit, kiwis, tomatoes and green leafy vegetables.
Zinc is a mineral found in red meat, fish and shellfish, milk products, poultry and eggs.
If you have been diagnosed with a chronic wound and you are unlikely to get enough of the key nutrients in your diet, your healthcare professional may have recommended that you take an ONS specifically designed for use in the dietary management of chronic wounds. For more information, please speak to your Healthcare Professional.
