Suffering a stroke is a traumatic experience, but there's hope for recovery. Many people begin healing almost as soon as their stroke is over, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Eating a healthy diet is an important part of your recovery process, because the nutrients that certain foods provide can help restore normal blood flow to your brain, helping you to recover brain function after a stroke.
Fruits and Vegetables
Many fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamin C, which may heal your brain to improve cognitive function after you suffer one or multiple strokes, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. You should try to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day, Cleveland Clinic.org urges, choosing fruits and vegetables of different colors to maximize the amount of beneficial nutrients you give your brain following a stroke. A serving is equal to a piece of fresh fruit the size of a tennis ball or 1 cup of diced fruit, says Cleveland Clinic.org. A vegetable serving is equal to 1 cup or raw vegetables or a ½ cup of cooked vegetables.
Fish
Fish is the primary dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help clear plaque buildup in the arteries that lead to your brain, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. That helps make it possible for your brain's blood flow to return to healthy levels. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish also help prevent a future stroke by reducing the risk of blood clots in the arteries connected to your brain, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The American Stroke Association recommends eating fish at least twice a week when you're recovering from a stroke.
Whole Grains
Whole grains are a leading dietary source of fiber, which helps lower your cholesterol, says Cleveland Clinic.org. Healthy cholesterol levels help prevent plaque from building up in your arteries, which improves blood flow to your brain and helps it heal after a stroke. When recovering from a stroke, eat plenty of whole grain foods that contain lots of fiber, the American Stroke Association says. Cleveland Clinic.org recommends strategies for including more whole grains in your diet, such as eating whole grain cereal or toast made from whole wheat bread at breakfast--and replacing white rice with brown rice at dinner.
Member Comments