Your diet is an important part of your treatment after a stroke. Eating the right kinds of foods may help you feel better and get stronger. A well balaced diet helps your body build tissues that may have been harmed and also gives you energy.
How Can Stroke Affect Nutrition?
After a stroke:
- Parts of the body that are needed for eating, such as the mouth, throat and/or hands, may not work properly
- The taste of foods may change
- Keeping a desirable body weight may become a problem
Eating Better After a Stroke
Each person's diet has to be individualized based on the type and extent of the problems caused by stroke. Eating after a stroke may require:
- Using special utensils
- Making sure that dentures fit well
- Eating soft foods, which may be easier to chew and swallow
Preparing Foods After a Stroke
- Flavor your meat, chicken or fish by marinating and/or cooking in fruit juices, wines, dressing or sweet and sour sauce
- Use strong seasonings such as oregano, rosemary, basil or pepper
- Try tart foods such as oranges, lemons or lemonade
- Flavor vegetables with garlic or onion
- Eat foods at room temperature to enhance the taste
- Cook foods until soft and tender
- Cut foods into small pieces or process to a puree texture
- Liquids may need to be thickened or avoided altogether
- Mix food with gravies and/or sauces
Some examples of foods that may be tolerated well are: scrambled eggs, macaroni and cheese, stews, mashed potatoes, creamy soups, puddings, applesauce, hot cereal, milkshakes, cottage cheese and bananas.
Maintaining a Desirable Body Weight
To make sure that your weight does not become a problem:
- Eat a variety of foods
- Balance the amount you eat with the amount of energy you use through physical activity
- Choose whole wheat grains, vegetables and fruits
- Avoid high fat and fried fruits
- Limit your salt and sugar intake
- Drink alcohol in moderation
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