A list of dietary restrictions for stroke sufferers that must be obeyed

Maintaining a healthy diet after a stroke can reduce three risk factors for stroke, namely excess cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and obesity or obesity. For this reason, adhering to various dietary restrictions for stroke sufferers is necessary to prevent stroke recurrence. In the following I will review what foods need to be avoided and also recommended for consumption by people after a stroke plus tips for overcoming decreased appetite after stroke.

What are the foods for stroke sufferers that need to be limited?

Basically, the dietary restrictions of stroke sufferers depend on the condition of each person. However, it's good to limit, even avoid, the following types of foods:

1. Packaged instant food

The first food abstinence for stroke sufferers is instant food. Instant food is not recommended for stroke sufferers. The reason is, most packaged instant foods contain sodium nitrate and nitrite. These two ingredients are often used as coloring agents and preservatives in processed meats such as sausages, packaged meat, and other products. Likewise with other packaged foods such as instant noodles, potatoes, and packaged snacks.

Sodium nitrate and nitrite can damage blood vessels because they can make the arteries harden and narrow, resulting in heart disease and increasing the risk of recurrent strokes.

2. Foods high in sugar

After a stroke you should limit foods and drinks that are high in sugar. Excess sugar consumption can damage blood vessels and lead to obesity. If these two things happen, it is not impossible for the stroke to strike again.

For that, limit your daily sugar intake. The maximum limit for sugar consumption per day is 4 tablespoons.

3. Foods high in salt

Foods high in salt contain sodium, which can trigger a spike in blood pressure. If not controlled, you are prone to developing hypertension, which can trigger strokes to come back. For that, you need to limit salt and sodium in each dish.

Try not to consume more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium each day, which is the equivalent of one teaspoon of salt.

4. Foods that contain saturated fat and trans fat

Other dietary restrictions for stroke sufferers are foods that contain bad fats.

Bad fats consist of saturated fat and trans fat. Saturated fat can increase levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the body. Excess LDL in the body can result in accumulation of fat in the arteries. This can block blood flow to the heart and brain, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Apart from saturated fat, the fat groups that should be avoided are trans fats. Trans fats are fats that are processed by adding hydrogen to vegetable oils to make them denser. Trans fat has been shown to increase the risk of various diseases, one of which is stroke.

The following are various foods that contain saturated and trans fats that need to be avoided, namely:

Trans fat

Biscuits
Processed frozen food
Snacks (such as potato chips, packaged cassava chips, and similar snacks)
Fried
Ready meals (fried chicken, french fries, or burgers)
Margarine
Donut

Saturated fat

Red meat
Chicken skin
Dairy products

5. Alcoholic drinks

In addition to dietary restrictions, stroke sufferers also need to reduce alcohol consumption.

Alcohol can increase blood pressure, which is a risk factor for stroke. For that, always consult your doctor when you can consume alcohol after a stroke.

Generally, people who have had a stroke should only drink one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. However, this also depends on the type of alcoholic beverage you drink.

If there are other conditions besides stroke such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, it's a good idea to consult a nutritionist directly to get the most appropriate eating guide for stroke sufferers.

Foods that are recommended for stroke sufferers

As a substitute for dietary restrictions for stroke sufferers, you can eat several types of foods that help stroke recovery.

Given the importance of maintaining a diet after a stroke, various foods for stroke sufferers recommended by The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association are:

Vegetables and fruits such as oranges, apples, pears, spinach, and broccoli.
Whole grains, nuts, and high-fiber foods like whole wheat bread, carrots, and kidney beans.
Fish meat, at least twice a week. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish have been shown to reduce the risk of stroke. For example tuna, wet anchovies, catfish and tilapia.
Lean beef and poultry and skin.
Low-fat dairy products such as fat-free yogurt to help lower blood pressure.

In addition, foods rich in folic acid; vitamins B6, B12, C, and E; as well as foods high in potassium and magnesium can reduce the risk of stroke and improve body function after stroke. Examples of food include almonds, pumpkin seeds, tomatoes, oranges, cereals, sweet potatoes, garlic, and bananas.

Overcoming decreased appetite after a stroke

After a stroke, your appetite usually drops dramatically. Especially if every type of dietary restrictions for stroke sufferers is the food you like the most. To overcome this, you need to implement various strategies so that nutritional needs are still met.

Cook healthy food with spices that smell delicious like lime leaves and other cooking spices as a substitute for salt.
Serve food to make it look attractive, for example, cook soup with colorful vegetables such as carrots, green vegetables, and tomatoes.
Cut food into small pieces to make it easier to chew.
Choose foods that are soft and easy to chew, such as bananas, yogurt, and oatmeal.

Paying attention to food intake for stroke sufferers can prevent complications and the possibility of stroke recurrence. Meanwhile, if you eat carelessly, you are also at risk for other diseases such as heart disease, cholesterol, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and kidney failure.

In addition to paying attention to food, you also need to live a series of other healthy lifestyles such as regular exercise to keep you healthy and fit after a stroke.

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