Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods from these five food groups every day: Plenty of vegetables of different types and colours, legumes and beans. Fruit. Grain (cereal) foods, mostly wholegrain and high fibre varieties such as breads, cereals, rice, pasta, noodles, polenta, couscous, oats, quinoa and barley.
“The biggest things to cut back on are sugar, salt, highly processed foods, saturated and trans fats, and fried foods, as well as snacky-type foods,” says Chen, referring to packaged snack foods, including pretzels and chips.
Here's another reason to savor tomatoes: a recent study in Neurology finds they may help lower your risk of ischemic stroke—blockage of a brain artery that starves cells of oxygen and causes them to die.
Foods high in potassium, such as sweet and white potatoes, bananas, tomatoes, prunes, melon and soybeans, can help you maintain a healthy blood pressure — the leading risk factor of stroke.
Low-Fat Dairy
Low-fat dairy products such as yogurt are also good food choices for senior stroke survivors. Rich in calcium, yogurt and other low-fat dairy products, such as ricotta and cottage cheeses and 2 percent milk, are well tolerated by most people, and they're easy to swallow.
Eggs are a beneficial source of protein for stroke patients. Eggs are soft and can be cooked in many ways, allowing them to be easily eaten by those who have difficulties with swallowing (dysphagia) after stroke.
Your parent should avoid eating white rice and other refined carbohydrates while recovering from a stroke and instead choose healthy whole grains, such as brown rice, quinoa, and oats.
Whole-wheat pasta contains more fiber, which is important for stroke survivors, who may experience bouts of constipation as a result of nerve damage, and it's also a better glycemic choice for diabetics, as it prevents unhealthy spikes in blood sugar levels.
This vegetable provides seniors with fiber, calcium, vitamins, and other minerals they need to manage diabetes and recover from a stroke. Broccoli can lower insulin levels and protect cells against free radicals. Your loved one should avoid eating broccoli sold in steam bags that need to be heated up before serving.
Avoiding pork and red meat can help your loved one remain healthy while recovering from a stroke.
This Paramedic Acute Stroke Treatment Assessment (PASTA) pathway consists of structured pre-hospital information collection, prompted pre-notification, structured handover of information in hospital, assistance with simple tasks during the first 15 min of hospital assessment, a checklist to confirm progress after 15 ...
Soft Foods That Are Easy for Stroke Patients to Eat:
Yogurt: Yogurt is one of the best foods for stroke patients because it is very easy to eat and also a great source of protein and some yogurts contain probiotics which aid in digestive health.
Avocados
The soluble fiber found in avocados regulates the body's use of sugars and lowers the blood cholesterol levels of senior stroke survivors. Avocados contain fiber, monounsaturated fat, minerals, and vitamins that keep the heart healthy.
Look for a high-fiber, low-sugar variety which is multi-grained or whole wheat. Sprouted wheat, flax seed and low carbohydrate bread varieties are all excellent choices.
Stick to soft foods. Items like cooked cereal, mashed potatoes, soup, cottage cheese, and applesauce are all easier to eat. If you want to try tougher foods, cut them into small pieces or chop them in a blender to make them easier to chew. Thicken your liquids.
Curcumin and stroke
It has also been reported that the spice in curry may be beneficial in stroke patients.
New research suggests that eating plenty of nitrate-rich vegetables — such as lettuce, spinach, and beets — may lower your risk of dying of a stroke or heart attack. During digestion, your body converts nitrates into nitric oxide. This compound relaxes and widens blood vessels, which helps lower blood pressure.
Whole grain breads and cereals are an integral part of a healthy diet, and studies have shown that they may reduce the risk of stroke. Try to consume 2-4 small servings per day.
Salmon, tuna, and mackerel are some healthy seafood options for seniors during stroke recovery. The omega-3 fatty acids found in these fish lower the risk of heart disease and fight against inflammation, which are two factors associated with recurrent strokes.
Here are a few tips to help you make good food choices. These tips also include foods to avoid after a stroke. Choose lean meats, such as chicken and turkey without skin or deep fried and extra lean ground meat or cuts of meat. Avoid overconsumption of processed meats known to carry preservatives, salt, and extra fat.
Promote dairy products such as milk, cheese and yoghurt which are high in calcium and have protein. Avoid low-calorie, low-fat and low-sugar foods as these are “empty calories”.
Whole grains such as oatmeal deliver soluble fiber to seniors and reduce the risk of recurrent strokes. Oatmeal is a brain-boosting whole grain that can also enhance cognition in seniors and restore many of the abilities they lost due to their strokes.
If your loved one is really craving some sweets such as ice cream, it is ok for her to have reasonable quantities each day. As you try to manage the diet of your loved one, be sure that she is making her regular doctor visits and his or her orders are being adhered to as much as you can.