Patient Education
DIET AND NUTRITION
Protein and Wound Healing
Protein and Wound Healing
Protein is an
important
nutrient for
wound healing
and fighting
infections.
Protein is a nutrient needed for normal growth, wound healing
and fighting infections. If you are not eating enough protein it
will be difficult for your skin to heal.
Your doctor has suggested you follow a diet high in protein to
help repair and build new skin tissue.
Food Sources of Protein
Remember, a 3 ounce serving of cooked meat is about the size of a deck of cards.
Food
Serving Size Grams of Protein
Meat
• Pork 3 ounces
21 grams
• Chicken/Turkey
3 ounces
21 grams
• Beef 3 ounces
21 grams
Fish
• Salmon, Halibut, Tuna
3 ounces
21 grams
• Shrimp
3 ounces
21 grams
Eggs
1 large
7 grams
Dairy
• Milk
1 cup
8 grams
• Kefir
1 cup
14 grams
• Cheese
1 oz. slice
7 grams
• Cottage Cheese
½ cup
14 grams
• Yogurt
¾ cup
8 grams
• Greek Style Yogurt
¾ cup
15 grams
Beans
• Black, Lentil, Kidney
½ cup
7 grams
Nuts
• Almonds, Walnuts, etc.
½ cup
7 grams
• Peanut Butter
2 Tbsp.
7 grams
Patients First
Additional Sources of Protein
Food
What it is
Tofu
Soy milk curds
Tempeh
Fermented soybean product
Seitan
Wheat gluten (protein portion of wheat)
Serving
Size
4 ounces
4 ounces
4 ounces
Grams of
Protein
8 grams
20 grams
31 grams
Protein-Rich Snack Ideas
Snacks are a great way to increase protein in your diet. Here are some healthy ideas to
get started.
■ Cheese and Cracker.
■ Peanut Butter Sandwich.
■ Cottage Cheese and Fresh Fruit.
■ Turkey and Cheese Sandwich.
■ Yogurt.
■ Nuts.
■ Hummus with Fresh Vegetables.
■ Edamame (Soybeans).
■ Trail Mix.
■ Hard Boiled Egg.
Is a Supplement a Good Choice for Me?
The best way to get our vitamins and minerals is through the foods we eat. There are
also several high protein shakes, powders and bars available on the market.
Talk to a Registered Dietitian to see if you may benefit from an additional vitamin or
protein supplement.
2
A Menu Example Including Quality Protein with Each Meal and Snack
Provides over 100 grams of protein
Breakfast
1 hard boiled egg
¾ cup dry cereal
½ cup blueberries
1 cup milk
AM Snack
2 tbsp. peanut butter
1 medium apple
Lunch
Turkey sandwich using 3 oz turkey
1 cup bean and lentil soup
1 cup milk
Afternoon Snack
Carrot Sticks w/ 2 tbsp. hummus
Dinner
3 ounces salmon
1 medium baked potato
1 tbsp. sour cream
1 cup steamed broccoli
1 whole grain dinner roll
1 cup milk
Evening Snack
¾ cup yogurt
2 tbsp. chopped walnuts
½ cup sliced strawberries
Para asistencia en español, por favor llamar a el departamento de representantes para pacientes al 312-926-3112.
Northwestern Memorial is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes, respects and serves with dignity all people and does not discriminate, including in hiring, or employment, or
admission, or access to, or treatment in its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, religion, disability, handicap, age, Vietnam or other veteran status, sexual
orientation or any other status protected by relevant law. To arrange for TDD/TTY, auxiliary aids and foreign language interpretation services, call the Patient Representative department at
312-926-3112, TDD number 312-926-6363. Issues related to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 should be directed to the director of Employee Relations or designee at 312-926-7297.
Developed by: Clinical Dieticians, Nutrition Services
© July 2010 Northwestern Memorial Hospital
For more information about Northwestern Memorial Hospital, please visit www.nmh.org.
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900911 (07/10)