2019 Evidence-Based Nursing Research: Nutrition for Wound Healing

This report, stemming from 2019 evidence-based nursing research, focuses on the critical role of nutrition in wound healing. It highlights the necessity of a balanced diet with adequate calories, emphasizing the intake of power foods rich in vitamin A and C, protein, and sometimes zinc. The report advises prioritizing sufficient calorie intake from a balanced diet, planning healthy meals and snacks comprising vegetables, grains, protein, dairy, and fruits. It recommends aiming for 10-15 grams of protein per snack and 20-30 grams per meal, providing examples of protein-rich foods. Hydration through water and unsweetened beverages is also stressed. The research divides nutrient intake into water, micronutrients (vitamins, trace elements), and macronutrients (lipids, carbohydrates, proteins), defining their roles according to ASPEN standards. Carbohydrates are noted for their potential in amino acid synthesis for nutritionally unessential amino acids. This report underscores the significance of nutritional considerations in chronic wound management.

[Evidence Based Nursing Research]
2019

NURSING RESEARCH 1
Nutrition Guidelines – For Improving Wound Healing
It is very essential to eat properly in order to heal well. Power foods, along with higher
amounts of calories, include vitamin A and C, protein, and sometimes zinc. Some of the
nutritional tips are as follows:
The initial priority must be given by eating an adequate amount of calories from a balanced
diet. It is important to plan balanced and healthy meals, and snacks that have plenty of
vegetables, grains, protein, dairy, and fruits.
Add the ideal level of protein. 10 to 15 grams of protein must be aimed for every snack and
20 to 30 grams at every meal. A single piece of cooked chicken contains proteins of around
20 to 25 grams. A tablespoon of peanut butter, one ounce of cheese, and one egg, each of
them comprises proteins to around 6 to 7 grams. Besides this, yogurt and low-fat milk
comprise 8 grams of protein (Grieger, 2015).
It is essential to be hydrated with different drinks like water and unsweetened drinks like
coffee, tea, milk and fruit juice and milk that are comprised of protein.
Health Advice for Chronic Wounds
The entire nutrient intake could be divided into water, micronutrients, and macronutrients.
Macronutrients are determined as ASPEN Standards and Guidelines as “nutrients available in
the body and essential in high amount (e.g. Lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins).
Carbohydrates could also be utilized to offer carbon skeletons for amino acid synthesis
however, only for those amino acids that are nutritionally unessential (Molnar, Underdown
and Clark, 2014).

NURSING RESEARCH 2
Micronutrients are determined as the “nutrients available in the body and necessary in minute
quantities (for instance, trace elements, vitamins)

NURSING RESEARCH 3
References
Grieger, L. (2015) 5 Nutrition Tips to Promote Wound Healing [online]. Available from
https://www.eatright.org/health/wellness/preventing-illness/nutrition-tips-to-promote-wound-
healing [accessed 28 March 2019]
Molnar, J.A., Underdown, M.J., and Clark, W.A (2014) Nutrition and Chronic Wounds
[online]. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4217039/ [accessed
28 March 2019]