Healthy Eating for Burn Patients
Meal suggestions
- Eat small meals, five to six times a day.
- Don’t drink beverages with meals (makes you feel more full, faster).
- Add butter, powdered milk, or a protein supplement to foods.
US Department of Agriculture Food Guide
- 6-11 servings of breads, grains, cereals
- 3-5 servings of vegetables
- 2-4 servings of fruit
- 3-4 servings of meat, poultry, beans, nuts, fish
- 3-4 servings of milk, yogurt, or cheese
High Protein Foods
- Meat and eggs
- Beans—pinto, black, garbanzo, etc.
- Milk, yogurt, and cheese
- Nuts and peanut butter
- Tofu
High Protein and Calorie Drinks
There are many drinks available to add protein and calories to your diet. Milk is the easiest and least expensive option. Other options vary in price and include choices such as Carnation Instant Breakfast, Ovaltine, or other mixes you can add to milk to increase calories and protein.
Nutrition and Wound Care
Burn patients have special dietary needs to provide additional nutrients for the body to heal wounds.
Even though you may not have much of an appetite, we encourage patients to follow a diet high in calories and protein. If this is not possible, you may need a feeding tube. Patients rarely go home with a feeding tube and most are eating regular food at discharge.
The burn dietitian and kitchen staff will work with you and team members to make sure you receive adequate nutrition.
Resources for Our Patients
Verified Burn Center Experts
Why does it matter that we are a verified burn center? The American Burn Association and the American College of Surgeons designed a rigorous review program that ensures verified centers offer the best care for their patients. This includes the whole patient experience from the time of injury through rehabilitation.
It also means we meet the highest quality of care available because we meet these high quality standards. The standards are for personnel qualifications, facilities resources, organizational structure, and medical care services.
