What foods are good for pressure sores? A Guide to Healing Nutrition

October 5, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2019 audit involving 10,000 hospital patients in England, nearly one in ten had at least one pressure ulcer. Knowing what foods are good for pressure sores is crucial for recovery, as proper nutrition provides the necessary building blocks for tissue repair and skin health.

Quick Summary

A balanced, nutrient-dense diet is vital for healing pressure sores, requiring adequate protein, essential vitamins and minerals, and ample fluids to support tissue repair. Tailored food choices boost key nutrients to improve healing outcomes.

Key Points

Increase Protein: Essential for tissue growth and repair, requiring sources like lean meat, fish, and dairy.
Boost Vitamin C: Crucial for collagen production, found in citrus fruits, berries, and bell peppers.
Prioritize Zinc: Aids in protein synthesis and skin cell growth, with sources including red meat, shellfish, and legumes.
Stay Hydrated: Maintains skin elasticity and ensures proper nutrient transport, aiming for 1.5-2 litres of fluid daily.
Maintain Healthy Weight: Both underweight and overweight can increase pressure sore risk; a balanced diet supports a healthy weight for healing.
Eat Small, Frequent Meals: This helps if your appetite is poor, ensuring a steady supply of nutrients throughout the day.
Consider Fortified Foods: Add skim milk powder, cheese, or nut butter to meals to increase nutrient density.

Nutrition plays a critical role in both the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers, also known as pressure sores or bedsores. When the body is healing a wound, its nutritional requirements significantly increase to fuel the repair process. A poor nutrient and fluid intake can not only increase the risk of developing pressure ulcers but also slow down the healing of existing ones. By focusing on specific food groups and nutrients, you can give your body the best possible support for recovery.

The Key Nutrients for Pressure Sore Healing

Protein: The Essential Building Block

Protein is fundamental to wound healing as it provides the amino acids needed to build and repair skin and other body tissues. When a pressure ulcer is healing, the body's demand for protein increases substantially. Failing to consume enough protein can hinder the repair process and delay recovery.

Good sources of protein include:

Lean meats and poultry: Chicken, turkey, beef, and pork.
Fish and shellfish: Salmon, tuna, oysters, and crab.
Eggs: A versatile and complete source of protein.
Dairy products: Milk, yogurt, and cheese.
Legumes: Lentils, beans, and chickpeas.
Nuts and seeds: Almonds, cashews, and pumpkin seeds.

Vitamin C: The Collagen Catalyst

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that is vital for the production of collagen, a protein that forms the structure of new tissue and is essential for wound closure. It also plays a key role in supporting immune function and managing inflammation. Because the body doesn't store vitamin C, a daily intake is necessary.

Foods rich in Vitamin C include:

Citrus fruits: Oranges, grapefruits, and lemons.
Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.
Peppers: Red and green bell peppers.
Green vegetables: Broccoli, kale, and spinach.

Zinc: The Tissue-Building Mineral

Zinc is a mineral that assists in numerous enzymatic functions crucial for wound healing, including protein synthesis, cell growth, and immune response. A deficiency in zinc can impair the healing process.

Good sources of zinc include:

Meat: Red meat and poultry.
Shellfish: Oysters, crab, and other seafood.
Dairy products: Milk and cheese.
Nuts and seeds: Pumpkin seeds, cashews.
Legumes: Lentils and beans.

Iron: The Oxygen Carrier

Iron is necessary for maintaining healthy hemoglobin levels in the blood, which transports oxygen to the wound site to facilitate healing. Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron more effectively.

Foods high in iron include:

Red meat: Beef and lamb.
Eggs: A good source of bioavailable iron.
Lentils and beans: Plant-based sources of iron.
Leafy greens: Spinach and kale.

Hydration: The Foundation of Skin Health

Adequate hydration is crucial for maintaining skin elasticity and ensuring that nutrients are transported efficiently throughout the body. Dehydrated skin is more fragile and prone to damage. A daily intake of 1.5 to 2 litres of fluid is recommended.

Hydrating foods and drinks include:

Water, milk, and fruit juice.
Soups and broths.
Fruits and vegetables: Berries, melon, cucumber, and leafy greens.

Maximizing Your Diet for Healing

To ensure your body gets the nutrition it needs to heal, consider incorporating the following tips into your daily routine:

Eat small, frequent meals and snacks: This is especially helpful if your appetite is poor. Aim for three small meals and two to three nourishing snacks per day.
Fortify your food: Add extra nutrients to your meals by mixing in things like milk powder, grated cheese, or nut butters to boost protein and calorie content.
Prioritize snacks: Keep protein-rich snacks handy, such as yogurt, cheese and crackers, hard-boiled eggs, or nuts.
Listen to your body: If you're underweight, increasing your overall food intake may be necessary to provide the body with the resources it needs. If you are overweight, focus on nutrient-dense foods without excessive fat or sugar.
Consult a professional: For severe wounds or dietary restrictions, consulting with a doctor or registered dietitian is highly recommended. They can assess your individual needs and recommend specific nutritional supplements if required.

Comparison of Key Healing Nutrients


Nutrient	Function in Healing	Top Food Sources
Protein	Provides building blocks for new tissue and collagen production.	Lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy, beans, lentils, nuts.
Vitamin C	Antioxidant that supports collagen synthesis and immune function.	Oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, kiwi.
Zinc	Assists in protein synthesis, cell growth, and tissue repair.	Red meat, shellfish, dairy, pumpkin seeds, cashews.
Iron	Carries oxygen to the wound site to support healing.	Red meat, eggs, lentils, spinach, fortified cereals.

Conclusion

Proper nutrition and hydration are powerful tools in the management and healing of pressure sores. By consistently providing the body with adequate protein, vitamins C and zinc, and maintaining a healthy fluid intake, you can significantly support the wound healing process. Remember to consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance on your nutritional needs, especially in cases of malnutrition or pre-existing conditions like diabetes. For further information on the role of diet in pressure injury care, you can refer to resources from organizations like the British Dietetic Association.

High-Protein Snack Ideas

Greek or Skyr yogurt with added fruit or nuts
Cottage cheese with peaches or pineapple
Hard-boiled eggs
Cheese and whole-grain crackers
Peanut butter on whole-grain toast or apple slices
A handful of nuts or seeds
Smoothies made with milk or protein powder
British Dietetic Association: Food Fact Sheet: Pressure ulcers (pressure sores) and diet

Frequently Asked Questions

Protein is made of amino acids, which are the fundamental building blocks for creating new skin and other body tissues during the healing process. Without adequate protein, the body cannot repair the damage caused by pressure sores efficiently.

A multivitamin can be beneficial if your food intake is low or your diet is not varied enough to cover all micronutrient needs. However, if you are eating a full and balanced diet, a supplement may not provide extra benefit and is not a substitute for whole foods.

If you struggle with plain water, try nutrient-rich fluids like milk, fruit juices, and soups. You can also get fluids from water-rich fruits and vegetables, and hydrating drinks like milkshakes or hot chocolate.

Oral nutritional supplements (sip feeds) like Boost or Ensure may be prescribed by a doctor or dietitian if your food intake is insufficient to meet your body's healing needs. They provide a concentrated source of energy, protein, and other nutrients.

Yes, poorly controlled diabetes can slow down the healing process. Managing blood sugar levels through diet and medication is important for effective wound healing.

Good options include Greek yogurt, cheese and crackers, hard-boiled eggs, nuts, and slices of apple with peanut butter. These provide a quick and easy protein boost between meals.

There aren't foods to strictly 'avoid' unless advised by a doctor, but it is important to limit foods with empty calories like excessive sugar and unhealthy fats. Focusing on nutrient-dense whole foods is more beneficial for healing.