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Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library High-Protein Foods for Wound Healing

High-Protein Foods for Wound Healing

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.

Meats, fish, and poultry (cooked)
Food Amount Protein (g)
Beef, ground 1 oz 7
Chicken breast 1 oz 8
Pork chop 1 oz 8
Salmon 1 oz 7
Tilapia 1 oz 7
Tuna, canned, drained 1 oz 5
Turkey 1 oz 8
Eggs and dairy
Food Amount Protein (g)
Cheese, cheddar 1 oz 7
Cottage cheese, low fat 1/2 cup 13
Egg, whole, cooked 1 large 6
Milk 1 cup 8
Yogurt, fruit, low-fat 6 oz container 8
Beans and soy products
Food Amount Protein (g)
Baked beans 1 cup 12
Black beans 1 cup 16
Refried beans 1 cup 13
Soy milk 1 cup 6
Tofu 1 cup, cubed 18
Nuts and seeds
Food Amount Protein (g)
Almonds 1/2 cup 15
Peanuts, roasted 1/2 cup 21
Peanut butter 2 Tbsp 7
Sunflower seeds, shelled 1/2 cup 14
Wheat germ 2 Tbsp 4

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit webmdignite.com.

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