Picking the right food can be challenging enough when you’re hale and hearty, not to mention when you’re injured.
With the Internet abounding in diet ideas, foods, and recipes, it can be confusing to adopt a diet that best suits your needs.
And if you’ve been involved in an accident, your doctor probably advised you to take special care of what you eat. So, what is to be done?
Although the science around nutrition and healing food continues to evolve, it has been found that foods like fruits and vegetables, protein sources, and healthy fats significantly contribute to body recovery after an accident.
After all, food gives you the fuel needed to function well, so why not make the most out of it to get on the mend as soon as possible?
Nutrition recommendations
Focus on variety
Regaining your health after an accident can take longer than you may think, from case to case, so sometimes the best method to go through this is to be patient and careful what you eat.
While eating only your favourite foods during the recovery process might be tempting, it’s recommended to benefit from the nutrients offered by various foods and diversify your meals. Eat vegetables, poultry, eggs, a lot of berries, and seafood (and the list goes on) to gain the needed energy to get back on your feet.
Heed credible medical advice
After the accident, it’s vital to keep an eye on your overall health; the best way to do that is to stay in touch with your physician. If they gave you any prescription for what food to consume in the following period, follow it.
Your doctor may recommend specific foods that can accelerate the healing process, so it would be helpful to take their advice and follow the recommended diet.
Be kind to yourself
Self-compassion is of the utmost importance in these testing times. We know you might endure feelings of helplessness, worthlessness, or frustration, especially if you’ve got seriously injured.
The truth is that you need a lot of patience and self-understanding to successfully go through this process, but with the right medical care and support from your loved ones, you can do this.
Moreover, if you’ve been the victim of someone else’s negligence, you can go the legal route and protect your rights in this sense. If you want to claim compensation in the UK, ensure you get in touch with a lawyer specialising in personal injury who can help you with all the legal procedures and represent you in court if the case.
We want to help you choose what is best for your health, so here are some of the most appreciated foods that can speed up recovery after an accident.
Leafy green vegetables
The variety of leafy green vegetables is impressive: you can choose from spinach, kale, and mustard greens to arugula and Swiss chard. These foods are rich in nutrients that enhance the body’s natural defenses, enhance wound healing, and minimize inflammation.
That’s why they are some of the top preferences when it comes to injury recovery. Your body needs high amounts of vitamins like C and A and also magnesium and manganese, which can be found in foods like those mentioned above.
The antioxidants concentrated in leafy greens are also essential for a smooth recovery (quercetin is one of the most popular antioxidants in leafy greens).
Berries
Is there anyone who doesn’t like berries? Apart from their delicious taste, these miracle foods are also brimming with nutrients that promote healing. Antioxidants like anthocyanins also fight against infections and oxidative stress, contributing to a smooth body’s recovery.
Anthocyanins are the reason for the berries’ lively colour, if you’ve ever been curious about this aspect. You’re probably familiar with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries, but did you know there are also berries waiting to be discovered?
Boysenberries, lingonberries, elderberries, huckleberries, black mulberries, gooseberries, acai berries, cloudberries, caperberries, chokecherries, and currants are other varieties that need your attention, as they abound in health benefits.
Mulberries, for example, are recognized for their capacity to reduce cancer risk by decreasing oxidative tissue and cell damage.
Nuts and seeds
Some of the most significant sources of proteins and healthy fats are, without any doubt, nuts and seeds. The nutrients in nuts and seeds like walnuts, sunflower and hemp seeds, pecans, and almonds support healing, making the recovery process smoother.
They’re also an excellent source of vitamin E, magnesium, and zinc, which enhance the function of protective immune cells responsible for the organism’s fight against disease and infection.
Salmon
Apart from its delicious taste, salmon is also rich in B vitamins, proteins, omega-3 fats, zinc, and selenium, which are indispensable when it comes to physical recovery after an accident.
It is probably not the first time when hearing about omega-3, but do you know its benefits? It can stimulate wound healing, boost the immune system, and minimise inflammation. Moreover, approximately 85 grams of wild-caught salmon provide more than 70 per cent of the selenium needed on a daily basis.
There are also fish oil supplements rich in omega-3 designed to function as a natural source, but we advise you to consult a physician before consuming them. Although fish oil is safe, it can lead to issues like bad breath or gastronomical problems when consumed in high quantities.
Poultry
Proteins are indispensable when it comes to a healthy diet, and so are they when it comes to proper recovery after an unfortunate event. Fortunately, various foods are rich in protein, including poultry and turkey.
These foods consist of valuable amino acids like glutamine and arginine, which are the core components of protein. Arginine, for example, stimulates collagen production (which is helpful in the case of wounds), while glutamine is efficient in periods of stress.
Going through an accident (no matter its kind) can be a traumatic experience that affects both your physical and mental health. Thus, ensure you are kind to yourself in these challenging times because you’re the only one who can smooth the healing process.
