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Adequate nutrition is an important part of
wound management. When the body undergoes the healing process
it requires extra calories, particularly in the form of
protein. Any nutrient deficiencies can aggravate the wound
condition and contribute to delayed wound healing. People with
wounds, or people caring for wound patients, should keep in
mind the benefits of providing an ample, healthy diet. For
diabetics, or patients suffering from vascular disease,
consult your doctor to assess your nutrition and develop a
program that addresses any insufficiencies and adds support to
your diet without compromising your other health concerns.
Maintaining an adequate amount of protein
is important for the healing process. Protein helps build new
cells, and is a source of fuel for the body. The following
tips may help you to add protein to your diet:
(Please consult your health care
practitioner before making any dietary changes.
Other health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high
cholesterol need to be considered before changing your
diet.)
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Add meat to soups, casseroles, and pasta dishes.
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Add cheese to sauces, pasta, vegetables, soups or casseroles.
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Use whole milk or cream instead of skim or low fat milk, and
substitute milk for water when making soup, cocoa, oatmeal,
or pudding.
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Add milk powder to anything—eggs, cereal, soup, chopped meat,
casseroles, baking dishes, cocoa, rice, pasta, cream sauces,
or yogurt.
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For snacks, spread peanut butter or cream cheese on crackers,
bread, fruit, or vegetables.
In addition to adding protein to your diet,
it is important to add overall calories. An easy way to add
calories is to add high calorie ingredients to foods.
Mayonnaise, butter, honey, peanut butter, sour cream and
whipped cream can all add calories to dishes.
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Butter can be added to almost anything—pasta, soups, eggs, vegetable dishes, and casseroles.
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Butter, margarine, peanut butter, honey, or mayonnaise to sandwiches, toast, bread or fruit.
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Add whipped cream, marshmallows, raisins, or dates to dessert foods.
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Keep snacks on hand.
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Coat chicken and vegetables in batter or bread crumbs before
cooking.
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Drink high protein milkshakes.
Nutritional supplements are available for patients to boost their vitamin and mineral intake. Supplements are available in both pill and liquid form, and
should be taken daily.
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