Remember the old saying “you are what you eat”? Well, it’s true! The nutrients that you take in when eating get incorporated into your body’s cells and tissues and become part of you. This is particularly important during stroke recovery.
Your nutritional intake can play an instrumental role in your stroke recovery by adequately nourishing your brain and body and keeping inflammation at bay so that you can heal effectively and efficiently. Including the right foods in your diet can also address risk factors such as blood pressure and weight.
So, what exactly should a stroke survivor eat? Or not eat?
Focus Foods
Evidence suggests some correlation between MIND and DASH diets and reduced risk of stroke. Both of these diets focus heavily on whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and lean protein sources. Eating a rainbow of plant foods means that you are taking in a variety of nutrients.
In particular, the following nutrients can be beneficial for stroke survivors:
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- Fiber (plentiful in fruits, veggies and whole grains)
- Potassium (found in bananas, oranges and apples, sweet potatoes, spinach)
- Omega-3 fats (high in salmon and walnuts)
- Magnesium (high in pumpkin seeds, cashews and spinach)
- Micronutrients, such as the polyphenols and antioxidants found in berries
Foods To Reduce
Alternatively, some foods can interfere with stroke recovery and/or increase risk for a subsequent stroke. These foods, which often cause inflammation in the body, include:
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- Saturated and trans fats
- Salt
- Processed foods
- Sugar
Stroke survivors should ideally work to eliminate these foods from their diet, but if that is not possible, keep their consumption to a minimum.
How Stroke Impairments Affect Nutrition
In addition to planning for the most nutritious diet possible, many stroke survivors will need to consider how to get their nutrients when their ability to eat and chew properly has been affected by the stroke. For example, it can be difficult to thoroughly chew fibrous fruits and veggies if you are experiencing weakness in the muscles surrounding the jaw.
Therefore, stroke survivors may need to dietary accommodations for any chewing limitations, such as relying more on softer foods or thickened liquids or using adaptive utensils that make up for impairments. These techniques can help stroke survivors avoid malnutrition that can negatively affect stroke rehabilitation outcomes.
Stroke survivors should work to eat the healthiest foods possible that they are able to chew and process safely. You can consult with your doctor or a nutritionist for more specific guidance on this topic.