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.
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is also an excellent source of probiotics, which promote gut health and may also reduce future risk of stroke. Furthermore, Greek yogurt is a softer food option for stroke patients who may experience difficulty chewing or swallowing.
Provide at least 8 to 10 cups of fluids daily. These can include water, milk, juices, soups and other beverages (Try to cut down caffeinated drinks e.g. coffee and cola drinks as they tend to dehydrate the body).
Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and grains. Change dairy products to fat-free and low-fat products. Choose lean meats and poultry, and try to bake, broil or roast meats instead of frying them. Avoid seasoning meats with seasoned salts, marinades or sauces.
You should limit sweets, cakes, biscuits and processed and fatty meats. It's important to also switch the saturated fats in your diet for unsaturated fats and to reduce your salt intake by avoiding high-salt foods like processed meats, salty snacks and ready-made soups, as well as not adding salt to foods.
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. Magnesium-rich foods, such as spinach, are also linked to a lower risk of stroke.
Ischemic stroke, the most common type of stroke, is treated with the 'clot-busting' drug known as tPA. The drug must be given to patients within three- to four-and-a-half hours after the onset of stroke symptoms, and preferably sooner.
(10) Get enough potassium
Potassium is abundant in fruit, vegetables, and milk products. Therefore, if you consume recommended amounts of these food groups, you should achieve an adequate intake of potassium. Good fruit choices include bananas, apricots, oranges, cantaloupe, and apples.
No significant inverse association between egg intake and stroke risk was observed (RR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.84–1.01).
To recap, your best choices are hydrating beverages that contain minimal calories, sugar or salt. Reach for water, coffee or tea most often. And keep a water bottle handy – the visual cue reminds you to keep sipping.
Apples. Apples are abundant in the soluble fiber known as pectin, which can lower cholesterol levels. Eating low-cholesterol foods is critical during stroke recovery because it could prevent plaque buildup and increase circulation.
Avoid Processed Foods, Salt, and Sugar
These foods typically come prepackaged and include options like cereal, crackers, certain breads, chips, and processed meats like luncheon meat and bacon.
Eating one serving of dark chocolate per day can increase brain cell growth. The compounds found in this food source repair cells and shield them from further damage. The cocoa powder in dark chocolate can give arterial function a significant boost and lower the risk of a recurrent stroke.
Cheese was associated with a 9% decrease in stroke risk; Low-fat dairy was also found to be inversely associated with stroke risk; High-fat dairy like yogurt and butter were not associated with stroke risk.
Avocados. The addition of avocados in daily meals is another good way to help with stroke recovery. The fatty acids in avocados help reduce the risk of inflammation in the body, improve fine motor skills and mental wellbeing.
Therefore, those with lactose intolerance may need to avoid yogurt. However, some people who are lactose intolerant may be able to tolerate it. Some of the lactose breaks down during production, and probiotics may assist with its digestion ( 54 ).
According to scientists, probiotic yogurts and supplements – which contain live bacteria and yeasts – can boost brain function in humans - improving memory, concentration, decision-making, thinking and understanding.
High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke and is the main cause for increased risk of stroke among people with diabetes.
The best way to help prevent a stroke is to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking and drinking too much alcohol. These lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of problems like: arteries becoming clogged with fatty substances (atherosclerosis) high blood pressure.
Some people who suffer a stroke can eventually recover fully, but not everyone. The amount of recovery depends on many factors, including the part of the brain that is damaged, the size of the damaged area, and how well the brain's neuroplasticity processes work.
Research shows that the brain possesses an extraordinary ability to heal itself after stroke. This ability, known as neuroplasticity, is why many stroke survivors go on to make astonishing recoveries. However, this healing process cannot happen on its own.