You were involved in an accident a few weeks ago. It was pretty serious, but you’re just happy that you survived. And although the lawsuit battle and settlements are over and done with, you still have one thing to take care of now – your injuries which were sustained during the accident. The injuries you have in your body are evidence of how painful the accident was. And since you want to forget how frightening the accident was, you want to heal from the injuries as soon as possible. You don’t want to look back at what happened as this will trigger your anxiety and depression. You have been following all of your doctor’s orders to achieve that goal but you know there are things you do on your own to quicken the process, and you’re right because there are certain foods to eat which will help you heal from injuries.
Your diet plays a vital role in your recovery. If your body is not getting the nutrients it needs, chances are, your recovery will be impaired and might take longer than usual. And you don’t want that to happen, right? You just want to be back on track after the accident. To help speed up your recovery, here are the top 10 foods you should eat when you’re healing from injuries:
1. Foods rich in Vitamin C
Buy: Strawberries, acerola cherry, citrus fruits, papayas, kiwi, guava and bell pepper
Why: Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin which the body does not have any ability to make on its own. This means that you need to consume it on a daily basis to maximize the benefits it can give to your body. Vitamin C also plays an essential role in the healing process as it is responsible in building new proteins for the skin, scar tissue and tendons – something that is essential especially when there are scars from the injuries. And although you can get vitamin c from different supplements, it’s best if you still it from actual, real foods.
2. Food rich in Vitamin A
Buy: Beef liver, carrots, sweet potato, kale, spinach, apricots, and broccoli
Why: Vitamin A promotes the production of white blood cells in the body. White blood cells are called the “main keepers of injury” as they help fight off any infection and viruses which can become the reason for your injuries to worsen over time.
3. Foods rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Buy: Soybeans, walnuts, salmon, canola oil, sardines, mackerel, chia seeds and flax seeds
Why: You don’t have to solely rely on painkillers anymore because omega-3 fatty acids can have the ability to reduce inflammation. Once swelling and inflammation are reduced, the pain you’re feeling from the injuries can also reduce as well. Omega-3 fatty acids will also promote healing, making your recovery process easier and almost painless.
4. Foods rich in Zinc
Buy: Pumpkin seeds, chickpeas, cocoa powder, cashews, yogurt and mushrooms
Why: Your body contains zinc, that’s why it’s vital in the healing process of your injuries. Zinc will help your body use the fats and protein stored in order to promote growth and healing of the injured tissues.
5. Foods rich in antioxidants
Buy: Goji berries, wild blueberries, dark chocolate, pecans, artichoke, kidney beans, and cranberries
Why: There are toxins in your body which are roaming around, especially after you sustained injuries. These toxins make you weaker as they are taking away some of your healthy cells. Foods like wild blueberries, pecans, and cranberries help control those toxins so your body can solely focus on repairing itself, and not fighting harmful toxins at the same time.
6. Foods that are rich in protein
Buy: Seafood, beans, eggs, soy, lean beef, white-meat poultry, chicken breast, and oats
Why: Whenever you have an injury, your body automatically demands protein. Protein is a requirement in different processes that happen as soon as the injury happened and even during your injury’s recovery time. How quickly and how well the injury heals over time can depend on the amount of protein that you’re consuming. The more protein you have in your body, the faster your injuries can heal.
7. Foods rich in calcium
Buy: Dairy products (such as yogurt and milk), green vegetables, nuts and beans, broccoli, bok choy, and watercress
Why: This is a no-brainer. Calcium is needed by the bones. When you consume foods which are rich in calcium, your broken bones will heal faster.
8. Foods rich in vitamin D
Buy: Fatty fish, egg yolks, orange juice, soy milk, and cereals
Why: Regardless of the amount of calcium you take (or drink), if your body doesn’t absorb any of it, all of your efforts will be useless – that’s why you also need to eat foods rich in vitamin D as this helps the body get more calcium from your food intake. Aside from that, higher amounts of vitamin D is also required by the body after sustaining injuries. If your body doesn’t have vitamin D, your recovery might be affected negatively.
9. Foods rich in copper
Buy: Lentils, almonds, asparagus, blackstrap molasses, dried apricots, liver, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds
Why: Copper is actually considered as one of the most beneficial nutrients for helping to improve wound rates. Copper can destroy several different bacteria strains which is why it’s a great choice for dressings and bandage. But copper is not only advantageous to your wounds. It can also better engage your immune system, resulting in better responses towards illnesses and injuries. Copper also strengthens the bones, organs and different connective tissues which will gradually give you better overall defenses against common illnesses and diseases.
10. Foods rich in iron
Buy: Liver, meat, fish, tofu, whole grains, dried fruit, pulses, and beans
Why: When you have an inadequate supply of iron in your body, your wounds will take longer to heal as iron helps in the flow of red blood cells in your body. When you have an iron deficiency, your body will need to work harder to produce the needed nutrients which can also mean a longer recovery timeframe for you.
Key Takeaway Points
Whether you’re injury was caused by a car accident, construction accident, or just by slipping and falling, there are actually numerous foods you can eat in order to help you heal from injuries. Some are expensive while some can be found in all households. But regardless of the situation, you should be able to exert effort to purchase and consistently fill your body with the nutrients from these foods. Doing these are small sacrifices to what you can achieve in the long run – and that’s being healed from the injuries sustained in the accident. Keep in mind that after a few months of adding these foods to your diet, you’ll be able to live a healthy life again!
About Author – Lea Taylor
Lea Taylor is a law writer who spends much of her time writing pieces on law topics for the common reader. Lea is the resident comedian of the office, often cracking jokes to lighten the mood. She always has a delightful story to make everyone smile.
