If you’ve survived a stroke, you may find that you need to make changes to your diet: To prevent another stroke, you’ll want to eat foods that are healthier for your cardiovascular system and help lower cholesterol and blood pressure . If your doctor doesn’t offer a referral to a nutritional counselor as part of your stroke recovery, ask for one.
A recent study of 11,862 stroke survivors revealed that only 62 percent of those with high blood pressure got professional guidance on changing their diet to prevent a second stroke. A dietitian or nutritionist can help you figure out how many calories you need every day to maintain a healthy weight or lose weight, and lower your cholesterol and blood pressure if necessary.
“The recommendations from the American Heart Association for reducing cardiac risk are the same for reducing stroke risk,” says Argye Beth Hillis, MD, executive vice chair of the department of neurology and co-director of the cerebrovascular division at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. That means a low-fat, low sugar, low cholesterol diet.
Goal #1: Reducing Saturated Fat Intake
Your basic goal will be to lower the amount of saturated fat in your diet to 8 to 10 percent of your total calories.
- Avoid whole milk; try skim or nonfat instead.
- No eat fatty cuts of meat; try leaner cuts and fish.
- Not eat chicken or turkey with the skin still on.
Goal #2: Cutting Down on Fats Overall
Keep calories from all fats to less than 30 percent of your daily calorie intake.
This may mean:
- Learning new ways of cooking, such as baking or broiling, instead of frying
- Using low-fat or fat-free salad dressings
- Avoiding high-fat additions to foods — for instance, butter and sour cream on your potatoes
- Using small amounts of spreads such as margarine
Goal #3: Cutting Back on Cholesterol
Keep your cholesterol intake to below 300 milligrams a day. Here’s how:
- Cut back on meat and dairy products.
- Eat more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
- Avoid egg yolks and liver.
Goal #4: Cutting Back on Salt
High blood pressure is a risk factor for stroke — and salt is directly related to high blood pressure. One way to help reduce your risk of stroke is to keep your salt intake to less than 2,400 milligrams a day. Try using other kinds of salt-free seasonings such as herbs, spices, or fruit juices (lemon or orange) to flavor foods.
Diet Challenges After Stroke
When you’re in stroke recovery, you may not have the energy or desire to cook or even eat. Some people find it hard to chew and swallow after a stroke. These problems require your doctor’s help. You might need to be treated for depression or get a referral to see a professional who can help you relearn how to enjoy eating again.
Here are some ideas that might make it easier to eat a healthy diet during stroke recovery:
- Plan to eat your “big” meal at a time when you have energy.
- Keep bags of washed, cut fruit and veggies for quick, healthy meals.
- Try soft foods such as scrambled eggs, cooked whole-grain cereals, yogurt, soup, and applesauce.
With a little effort and some professional help, you will soon enjoy eating again.