Blueberry Mountain Health
Nutrition is an integral component of wound care. Ensure that you are eating the right foods to aid with your healing.
Calories
-12.5-15 Cal/lb/day for normal individuals
-15-18 Cal/lb/day for pts w/ moderate illness
-18-20 Cal/lb/day for pts w/severe illness
-Allow for 8-9 Cal/lb/day with pts under stress with a pressure ulcer
-Ensure high quality fats for development and stability of cell membranes
-Fluids: 15ml per lb/body weight or minimum of 1500mL/day unless medically contraindicated
Calories
To figure out calories based on your weight:
Your weight (lbs) X 15 Cal =
your Calories/day
For example: 150lbs X15 Cal = 2250 Calories/day
Protein
-0.8 to 1g/lb/day. For deep ulcers, may need closer to 2g/lb/day.
-Aim for whole food sources, but if your appetite is poor, there are many supplements on the market today.
-Some whole food sources of protein include:
Red meat, poultry, beef jerky, seafood, pork, eggs, dairy, bone broth, beans, peanut butter, almond butter, pumpkin seeds, edamame, almonds
Protein
To figure out protein based on your weight:
Your weight (lbs) X 1g Protein = your Protein goal
For example: 150lbs X1g Protein= 150 Calories/day
Suggested Protein supplements from those who've actually needed them:
Boost high protein, liquacel, ensure plus, Prostat, Premier shakes, whey protein powder, Genpro, Juven
Some snacks or meal ideas:
-Turkey and cheese roll ups -Rotisserie chicken -Oatmeal made with milk
-Liver and onions -Steak and eggs -Cottage cheese
-Hard boiled eggs -Tuna salad -Ground beef
*Options to put in a smoothie: Greek yogurt, almond/peanut butter, protein powder,
Amount of Protein in Common Foods:
10 oz sirloin steak: 40g 1 cup whole milk: 8g
4oz hamburger patty: 20g 2 TBL peanut butter: 10g
chicken thigh (4 oz): 25g 2 TBL almond butter: 6 g
6oz salmon: 20g 1/2 cup cooked black beans: 7g
1 cup Greek yogurt: 20g 1/2 cup cooked broccoli: 3g
chicken breast (4 oz): 22 1/2 cup cooked lentils: 9g
1 egg: 13 g 2 TBL pumpkin seeds: 18g
cottage cheese (1/2 cup): 13 cheddar cheese (1 oz): 7 g
Fat soluble vitamins
-Vit A: important for collagen Aim for 25,000IU/day
-Vit D: important for bone health
-Vit E: anti-oxidant; synergistic with vitamins A and C
-Vit K: important for coagulation
Sources of Vit A:
Sweet potato, liver, eggs, spinach, carrots, pumpkin, cantaloupe, peppers.
Sources of Vit E:
Wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds, almonds, peanut butter, spinach
Sources of Vit D:
Cod liver oil, swordfish, salmon, tuna, dairy
Water soluble vitamins
-Vit C: helps with collagen formation and fibroblast function. Deficiencies may result in delayed healing, further wound breakdown and impaired immune function. 1-2 g/day
-B vitamins: required for the production of energy; required for binding collagen to new tissues
Sources of Vit C:
Red peppers, oranges, strawberries, broccoli, spinach
For the NIH's complete list, please see this website.
Sources of B Vitamins:
There are 8 types of B vitamins; most are found in:
Liver, beef, salmon, poultry, eggs, dairy, leafy greens, shellfish (oysters, muscles, clams), nutritional yeast, sunflower seeds
Minerals/other
-Copper: required for collagen; deficency may result in weaker scar tissue and decreased strength of new tissue
Iron: Important for the transport of oxygen to tissues
Other nutrients:
-Bromelain: prevents prolonged inflammatory phase. 500-1000mg/day
-Glucosamine: enhances hyaluronic acid production. 1500Mg/day
-Zinc: Helps cells proliferate and with protein synthesis. 15-30mg/day * Note if baseline zinc levels are normal, additional supplementation with zinc won't increase wound healing
-Arginine: essential amino-acid
-Glutamine: necessary for building tissue; maximum 0.25g/lb body weight per day