Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

369 Fulham Road

London
SW10 9NH
T: 020 8746 8000
W: www.chelwest.nhs.uk
August 2009
Eating well for
your burn injury
Information for patients
How to nd us
Local bus stops
14 Fulham Road (from South Kensington and Fulham
Broadway stations)
414 Fulham Road (from South Kensington and Fulham
Broadway stations)
328 Redcliffe Gardens (from Earls Court station)
211 Fulham Road (from Fulham Broadway station)
C3 Redcliffe Gardens (from Earls Court station)
Local underground stations
Fulham Broadway (District LineWimbledon Service)
Earls Court (Piccadilly & District Lines)
South Kensington (Piccadilly, District & Circle Lines)
Gloucester Road (Piccadilly, District & Circle Lines)
Parking
Spaces are available in the hospitals underground car
park (minimum payment of 3.50 for up to 1 hour). There
are parking meters in nearby streets.
Bicycles
There are bicycle racks in the car park.
Eating well for
your burn injury
This leaet has been written for you by
staff within the Nutrition & Dietetics
Department. We hope it answers some
of the questions you may have.
Contact details
Nutrition & Dietetics Department
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
369 Fulham Road
London
SW10 9NH
Direct line: 020 8746 8179
Notes
Nutrition
Adequate nutrition is an essential part of the treatment
of your burn injury.
After a large burn injury your body has to work harder so
it can heal which means you have to eat more.
In particular it is very important to eat more protein as
protein is lost by your body when you have a burn.
Your appetite is often lower in hospital for many reasons
including going to theatre regularly, having your dressings
changed, and certain medications that you may be on.
However, it is vital that you eat and drink well so that your
wounds heal, any skin grafts take, and so that you get
your energy back.
How to eat well for your burn
You must eat a high protein and high calorie diet until
your burn has healed.
High protein foods are listed below:
red meat
chicken
fsh
eggs
cheese
milk/milkshakes
yoghurt
milk puddings
nuts/peanut butter
beansbaked beans, kidney beans, lentils etc
Try to eat regularly
It is also important to try and eat something between
mealsaim to eat 6 times per day.
This is especially important if you are not managing all
of your main meals.
Snack ideas
Good snacks to eat between meals are:
cheese and biscuits
thick and creamy yoghurt
milk puddings
nuts
sandwiches with meat, fsh, egg or cheese flling
cake (especially fruit and nut cake)
chocolate
Nutritional supplements
It is often diffcult to eat large enough meals to meet
your bodys needs so you will need to drink nutritional
supplements between meals.
There are a wide range of supplements availablethey
may be milkshake or juice style drinks.
These supplements are high in calories and protein and
are nutritionally balanced.
Supplements are best taken cold and are kept refrigerated
on the ward.
Your dietitian will discuss with you which of these drinks
are best and how many you should be having.
Enteral feeding
If you have a large burn you will usually start by being
fed via a tube through your nose into your stomach
(enteral feeding).
The tube usually remains until you are eating and
drinking enough to maintain your weight and help
your burn heal.
Special points
We will be keeping a close eye on your weight while
you are in hospitalyou will be weighed at least
weekly
Some people fnd that fzzy drinks fll them up and
then they lose their appetitetry to have milk or
nutritional supplements instead of fzzy drinks
After you are discharged
from hospital
It is important to continue eating a well balanced and
nutritious diet when you go homeyou may still have
some healing to do.
Your dietitian will talk to you about what you need to
eat when you go home.
If you have any questions on what to eat please feel
free to contact your dietitian.
Emer Delaney
Senior Dietitian
Nutrition & Dietetics Department
T: 020 8746 8179 or call 020 8746 8000 and ask
the switchboard to bleep 0427
E: emer.delaney@chelwest.nhs.uk