Eating well gives your body the fuel it needs to repair tissue and fight infection. In fact, your body needs extra calories, protein, vitamins, minerals, and fluids to heal a wound.

Poor nutrition or unintentional weight loss can delay healing and weaken your body’s defenses.

The good news is that a balanced diet will help wounds heal faster and strengthen your immune system.

Tips:

• Prioritize protein: Protein is the #1 nutrient for healing – it helps repair skin, muscle, and other tissues. Try to include a source of lean protein at every meal (for example, fish, poultry, eggs, beans, or low-fat dairy) .
  
  
• Eat your vitamins and minerals: Colorful fruits and vegetables, plus whole grains, provide vitamins and minerals that support wound healing. Nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, zinc, and iron help build new tissue and fight infection , so make sure to eat a variety of healthy foods.
  
  
• Stay hydrated: Drink about 6–8 glasses of water a day (unless your doctor advises otherwise) . Staying well-hydrated keeps your skin supple and improves circulation, which helps your wound heal.
  
  
• Limit “empty” calories: Cut back on sugary drinks, deep-fried foods, and heavily processed snacks that offer little nutrition . These can fill you up without giving your body the nutrients it needs. Focus on nutrient-dense foods to give your body energy to heal.