By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern
Between growing up on a farm and loving to play outdoors, my brothers and I frequently got cuts, scrapes, and bruises when we were younger, which kept our mom on her toes when it came to patching us up. So, Band-Aids, Neosporin, and antiseptic were kept well stocked in our house. But did you know that these wound care items aren’t the only thing that helps with healing? Our diet also plays a crucial role in the healing of wounds.
Getting our kids to eat healthily is a group activity
We all know how important it is to eat good, nutritious foods to keep our bodies fueled. According to registered dietician Kavitha Krishnan, the nutrients we get from the foods that we eat, or the lack thereof, can either speed up or delay the healing process of wounds, whether large wounds or small. Krishnan explains that this is because during healing, the body is trying to replace the damaged tissue with new tissue, and this requires extra calories, protein, and nutrients.
When choosing foods during the healing process, Krishnan says that it is best to eat well-balanced meals but focus on protein especially, as protein is what helps to rebuild tissues. Also, vitamins C and A, as well as iron and zinc are nutrients that also aid in the healing process.
While Band-Aids will always be a great way to help wounds heal from the outside, don’t neglect the healing that happens from the inside! So, eat good, nutritious foods, and make sure you’re getting enough protein!
For more health-related articles, check out the Fill Your Plate blog!