Last updated: May 2026
Next review: May 2028
Protein for Wound Healing
Supporting Recovery and Tissue Repair
Protein plays an essential role in wound healing. When the body is repairing damaged skin and tissue, it requires more protein than usual to support the healing process. Eating enough protein can help maintain muscle strength, support recovery, and promote healthy wound healing.
Why Is Protein Important?
Protein helps the body:
- Build and repair tissues
- Support wound healing
- Maintain muscle strength
- Support recovery after illness or injury
If you have a wound, your protein requirements may be higher than normal.
How Much Protein Do You Need?
Most adults require approximately:
1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight each day
However, people with larger wounds may need:
1.25–1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight each day
Your healthcare professional or dietitian can advise if you need additional protein support.
High-Protein Foods
Try to include a source of protein at every meal and snack.
Meat and Poultry
Good sources include:
- Chicken
- Pork
- Roast beef
- Sausages
- Liver pâté
- Bolognese sauce
Fish and Seafood
Examples include:
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Mackerel
- Cod
Fish can provide a significant amount of protein to support wound healing.
Eggs and Dairy
Protein-rich options include:
- Eggs
- Cheese
- Cottage cheese
- Full-fat milk
- Fortified milk
- Milkshakes
- Yoghurt
Including dairy foods regularly can help increase both protein and calorie intake.
Plant-Based Protein Sources
Suitable options include:
- Beans and pulses
- Lentils
- Soya beans
- Tofu
- Quorn products
- Nut butters
- Nuts and seeds
These foods can help support protein intake for vegetarian and plant-based diets.
Protein-Rich Drinks
Drinks can be an easy way to increase protein intake, particularly if appetite is reduced.
Examples include:
- Fortified milk
- Milkshakes
- Hot chocolate made with milk
- Malted milk drinks
- Milky coffee
- Nutritional drinks recommended by a healthcare professional
High-Protein Snack Ideas
Including snacks between meals can help increase protein intake throughout the day.
Snack Suggestions
- Yoghurt
- Peanuts
- Mini Scotch eggs
- Mini pork pies
- Sausage rolls
- Rice pudding
- Custard
- Cheese snacks
- Sandwiches with protein-rich fillings
Simple Ways To Add Extra Protein
You can boost the protein content of meals by adding:
- Dried milk powder
- Grated cheese
- Greek yoghurt
- Ground almonds
- Nut butters
These can be mixed into soups, sauces, cereals, puddings, and drinks.
Top Tips
- Include protein at every meal
- Choose protein-rich snacks between meals
- Use fortified milk where appropriate
- Add extra protein to meals using simple fortifiers
- Speak to your healthcare professional if you are struggling to eat enough
Small changes can make a big difference to supporting wound healing and recovery.
Further Information Available
This webpage provides a summary of protein advice for wound healing.
The full PDF resource includes:
- Protein requirements
- High-protein food tables
- Protein-rich drink options
- Snack suggestions
- Food fortifiers
- Guidance on supporting wound healing through nutrition
For complete information, please download the full PDF resource.
