High-Protein Foods for Wound Healing Overview Your body needs protein to help build and repair muscle, skin, and other body tissues. Getting enough protein also helps your body fight infection, balance body fluids, and carry oxygen through your body.
When you have a wound that's healing, think of food as medicine. Eat a balanced diet with enough calories and plenty of protein.
How much protein you normally need each day depends on your age, your sex, and how active you are. You may need to eat more protein to help a wound heal. Your doctor can advise you on the right amount of protein you need.
Examples of high-protein foods High-protein foods include lean meat, poultry, and fish. You can also get plenty of protein from eggs, dairy and soy products, beans, nuts, and seeds.
The following tables list the amount of protein per serving size for a given food group.footnote 1
Meats, fish, and poultry (cooked) Food
Amount
Protein (g)
Beef, ground
25 g (1 oz)
7
Chicken breast
25 g (1 oz)
8
Pork chop
25 g (1 oz)
7
Salmon
25 g (1 oz)
6
Trout
25 g (1 oz)
6
Tuna, canned, drained
25 g (1 oz)
6
Turkey
25 g (1 oz)
7
Eggs and dairy Food
Amount
Protein (g)
Cheese, cheddar
25 g (1 oz)
6
Cottage cheese, low fat
½ cup (125 mL)
15
Egg, whole, cooked
1 large
6
Milk
1 cup (250 mL)
9
Yogurt, fruit, low-fat
6 oz container (175 mL)
8
Beans and soy products Food
Amount
Protein (g)
Baked beans
3/4 cup (175 mL)
10
Black beans
3/4 cup (175 mL)
11
Refried beans 3/4 cup (175 mL) 10 Soy beverage, enriched
1 cup (250 mL)
7
Tofu
150 g (5 oz)
21
Nuts and seeds Food
Amount
Protein (g)
Almonds
1/4 cup (60 mL)
8
Peanuts, roasted
1/4 cup (60 mL)
9
Peanut butter
2 Tbsp (30 mL)
8
Sunflower seeds, shelled
1/4 cup (60 mL)
6
Wheat germ
2 Tbsp (30 mL)
4
Related Information
References
Citations Load More Information about High-Protein Foods for Wound Healing
Credits
Current as of: November 16, 2023
Current as of: November 16, 2023
Health Canada (2008). Nutrient value of some common foods. Ottawa: Health Canada. Also available online: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/fiche-nutri-data/nutrient_value-valeurs_nutritives-eng.php.
