Nutrition and
            Ways to help ensure good                                                                                                                                                      Wound Healing
            nutrition and hydration                                                                                                                                                        Information for clients, family and carers
            •  Eat a healthy, balanced diet including 
              all the fi ve food groups each day
            •  Vary your meals and eat small meals 
              or snacks frequently
            •  Drink 6 to 8 glasses of fl uid a day, 
              e.g. water, juice, yoghurt, soup
            •  Keep fl uids handy and accessible
            •  Sit upright when eating or drinking
            •  Ensure good dental hygiene
            •  Talk to a health professional if you 
              have any concerns                                                                              promoting
                                                                                              healthy skin                                                                                           promoting
                                                                                                  Champions for Skin Integrity                                                      healthy skin
                                                                                                                                                                                         Champions for Skin Integrity
                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                              60 Musk Ave
                                                                                              Kelvin Grove Qld 4059
               This is a guide only and does not                                              Brisbane, Australia
                      replace clinical judgment                                               Phone: + 61 7 3138 6000 or 
                                                                                              Fax: +61 7 3138 6030 or
                                                                                              Email: ihbi@qut.edu.au
                                                                                              Email (Wound Healing): woundservice@qut.edu.au
            References:
            AWMA, Standards for wound management. 2nd ed 2010, Osborne Park,                  CRICOS No. 00213J
            WA: Cambridge Media  
            Trans Tasman Dietetic Wound Care Group, Evidence based practice                   www.ihbi.qut.edu.au
            guideline for the dietetic management of adults with pressure injuries. 
            Review 1: 2011                                                                    This Project is funded by the Australian Government Department
            AWMA, Pan Pacifi c Clinical Practice Guideline for the Prevention and              of Health and Ageing under the Encouraging Better Practice in Aged
            Management of Pressure Injury 2012, Osborne Park, WA: Cambridge Media             Care (EBPAC) program.                                                                                                               
         Nutrition andNutrition aand  
         WWound Healingund Healin                                      Which nutrients are important                                  Vitamin C 
                                                                       for wound healing?                                             A lack of Vitamin C may result in 
         What is a wound?                                              Some nutrients are important in                                wound breakdown or delayed healing. 
         •  A wound is an injury to the skin                           helping wounds to heal, including:                             Good sources of Vitamin C include 
                                                                       •  Protein        •  Vitamin A                                 citrus fruits, berries, capsicum, parsley, 
         How do wounds occur?                                          •  Vitamin C      •  Zinc                                      broccoli, rockmelon, spinach. 
         •  Falls, accidents, knocks and bumps                         Protein                                                        Vitamin A
         •  Surgery                                                                                                                   Vitamin A is needed for tissue growth. 
                                                                       Wounds need protein, including 
         •  Underlying diseases                                        arginine, to heal. You may need extra                          Good sources are liver, sweet potato, 
           (e.g. diabetes, poor circulation)                           servings if you:                                               carrots, broccoli, leafy vegetables, 
                                                                                                                                      rockmelon, eggs, and apricots.
         Why is good nutrition and                                     •  Have not been eating well                                   Zinc
         hydration important?                                          •  Have lost weight recently
                                                                       •  Are underweight                                             Zinc is necessary for normal skin 
         •  Good nutrition and hydration is                                                                                           development.  A lack of zinc is 
           essential for prompt healing of wounds                      •  Have a large or long-lasting wound                          associated with slow wound healing.
         •  Older people take longer to heal and                       Good sources of protein are red meat,                          Good sources are red meat, seafood, 
           are more likely to be malnourished                          poultry, fi sh, dairy products, legumes,                        poultry, dairy products, sesame seeds  
                                                                       nuts, seeds and grains. 
         •  A wound increases the body’s needs                                                                                        and wholegrain cereals.   
           for energy and nutrients                                    Vegetarians should take special care 
         •  Dehydrated skin is less elastic, more                      to combine a variety of food sources to                        GGGGGooooooooddddd nnnnuuuutttttrrrriiiiitttttiiiiioooonnnn aaaannnnddddd hhhhhyyyyydddddrrrraaaatttttiiiiioooonnnn 
           fragile and more likely to break down                       obtain all essential dietary needs.                            iiiiissss eeeesssssssseeeennnntttttiiiiiaaaalllll fffffoooorrrr wwwwoooouuuunnnnddddd hhhhheeeeaaaallllliiiiinnnnggggg