When recovering from a wound—whether from surgery, injury, radiation, or a chronic condition like diabetes—nutrition becomes a vital part of your healing journey. What you eat directly influences how fast your body can regenerate tissue, fight off infections, and reduce inflammation.
At R3 Wound Care and Hyperbarics, we believe that effective wound healing doesn’t end with advanced therapies like Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). It also includes guiding patients on how to support healing from within, and that starts with the food on your plate.
While many foods can help you heal faster, certain items can hinder progress, increase inflammation, or interfere with your treatment results. Avoiding those foods during your recovery can significantly improve your outcome.
High sugar intake suppresses the immune system and promotes chronic inflammation, two things you want to avoid while healing. Excessive sugar can also spike your blood glucose levels, making it harder for wounds to close—especially in patients with diabetes.
❌ Avoid or limit:
Soda, energy drinks, sweetened teas
Pastries, doughnuts, cookies
Candy, chocolate bars
Processed cereals
Even natural sweeteners like honey or agave should be used in moderation during wound healing.
Fried foods and ultra-processed items are often high in trans fats, unhealthy oils, and preservatives. These ingredients increase oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, delaying the wound healing process.
❌ Common culprits include:
French fries, onion rings
Fried chicken, mozzarella sticks
Microwave meals, frozen pizza
Snack chips and packaged crackers
These foods offer little nutritional value and may even counteract the positive effects of treatments like HBOT.
Alcohol slows down wound healing in several ways: it suppresses the immune response, causes dehydration, interferes with nutrient absorption, and can impair liver function—which is essential for detoxification and metabolism during healing.
❌ Avoid:
Beer, wine, and spirits
Mixed drinks with sugary mixers
Frequent social or stress-based drinking
Limiting or cutting out alcohol during recovery can improve your results and help reduce inflammation.
Excess sodium can increase fluid retention and raise blood pressure, both of which may contribute to poor circulation and swelling around wounds. If your blood flow is impaired, your tissues won’t get the oxygen and nutrients they need to heal efficiently.
❌ Watch out for:
Canned soups and vegetables
Deli meats and bacon
Frozen dinners and packaged snacks
Fast food meals
Always check nutrition labels—many processed foods contain hidden salt even if they don’t taste salty.
Refined carbs, such as white bread, pasta, and rice, can cause blood sugar spikes, especially in people with insulin resistance or diabetes. Unstable blood sugar slows wound healing and can lead to complications like infection or tissue breakdown.
❌ Avoid or replace:
White bread, white pasta
Regular pizza crust
Sugary breakfast cereals
White rice
Instead, opt for whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, oats, or whole wheat products, which help regulate blood sugar and provide steady energy.
Although protein is crucial for wound healing, certain meats contain high levels of saturated fat, nitrates, and preservatives, which promote inflammation and can impair tissue repair.
❌ Minimize intake of:
Hot dogs, sausages
Fatty beef cuts, pork ribs
Bacon and cured deli meats
Choose leaner sources of protein such as grilled chicken, turkey, tofu, lentils, and fish, which provide essential amino acids without inflammatory effects.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy helps promote healing by increasing the amount of oxygen in your blood, which fuels tissue repair and supports the immune system. However, consuming inflammatory or nutrient-poor foods can undermine the benefits of HBOT.
For example:
High sugar levels reduce your white blood cell function, making it harder to fight infection.
Poor circulation due to sodium or alcohol intake means less oxygen reaches your tissues, counteracting HBOT’s core purpose.
Inflammation from fried or processed foods can slow the regrowth of healthy tissue.
By avoiding harmful foods and focusing on a nutrient-dense diet, you give HBOT the best environment to work effectively.
While avoiding certain foods is important, focusing on what to eat is just as essential. A wound-healing diet should be rich in:
✅ Lean Proteins – to support tissue repair (chicken, turkey, tofu, legumes)
✅ Vitamin C-rich Foods – to boost collagen and fight infection (oranges, bell peppers, strawberries)
✅ Zinc Sources – for immune support (pumpkin seeds, nuts, lentils)
✅ Whole Grains – for steady energy (brown rice, oats, quinoa)
✅ Hydration – drink plenty of water to help flush toxins and keep tissues hydrated
✅ Healthy Fats – reduce inflammation and aid absorption of nutrients (avocados, olive oil, nuts)
Certain individuals need to be more mindful about nutrition during wound recovery due to existing health risks or conditions. These include:
Diabetic patients with slow-healing wounds or ulcers
Patients recovering from surgery in high-risk areas like the lower legs, abdomen, or face
Radiation therapy survivors experiencing chronic wounds or tissue damage
Individuals with pressure ulcers or bedsores
People with poor circulation or peripheral artery disease (PAD)
Anyone undergoing HBOT for chronic or non-healing wounds
If you’re unsure how your current diet may affect your healing, our care team can provide basic nutrition guidance during your consultation.
At R3 Wound Care and Hyperbarics, we don’t just treat wounds—we help patients understand the full picture of healing. This includes nutrition, lifestyle, and ongoing care coordination.
✔ Advanced wound care in a non-hospital setting
✔ State-of-the-art Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy chambers
✔ Shorter wait times and easier clinic access
✔ Affordable care without hospital bills
✔ Education and support for faster, safer healing
We’ll help you identify obstacles to your recovery—whether it’s diet, medication, or daily habits—so you can heal with confidence.
WOUND CARE AND HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY
Located in The Dallas-Fort WORTH, Houston and San Antonio Areas of Texas
