After experiencing a stroke, it’s important for a senior to follow a nutritious diet plan. Eating heart-healthy foods can hasten the recovery process and prevent future strokes. Here are six foods senior stroke survivors should incorporate into their post-stroke diet.
1. Leafy Green Vegetables
Leafy green vegetables such as spinach and kale are essential for stroke survivors. These vegetables are filled with dietary fiber and folic acid, which promote cardiovascular health. They also contain antioxidants, which can prevent further cardiovascular events. Vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, and other vitamins are found in leafy greens as well, making them the ideal food for recovering stroke survivors. Seniors can eat their daily dose of greens as a refreshing salad, or they can cook them and serve them as a side dish.
Eating the right foods can boost your aging loved one’s health following a stroke. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional home care. Columbia Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
2. Whole Grains
Whole grains are one of the essential food groups for stroke survivors. Many foods fall into this category, including oatmeal, brown rice, popcorn, and whole-grain cereal. Whole grains contain dietary fiber, which helps seniors maintain their blood cholesterol levels, as well as vitamin B1, vitamin B2, magnesium, iron, and folate. To enhance a healthy bowl of oatmeal, sweeten it with fresh fruit and thicken it with half a cup of calcium-rich milk.
3. Beans
Not all protein comes from meat. Beans provide an inexpensive and easy way for seniors to get a healthy dose of protein. They contain plenty of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, but they don’t have the saturated fat levels of red meat. There are plenty of ways to incorporate beans into a healthy post-stroke diet. Seniors can spread them on whole-grain toast, add them to soups, or combine them with seasoned vegetables.
Preparing nutritious meals is just one of many important daily tasks when caring for stroke survivors. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable homecare. Families trust Assisting Hands Home Care to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent and manage serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age.
4. Fish
Seniors can swap red meat for healthy lean proteins like chicken and fish. For an extremely heart-healthy meal, seniors should turn to fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, including sardines, salmon, trout, tuna, and mackerel. The fatty acids in these fish provide excellent cardiovascular support, lower blood pressure, promote regular heartbeats, and reduce clotting. Seniors should strive to eat two servings of fatty fish every week, whether it’s grilled with a lemon rub or added to scrambled eggs for a tasty breakfast.
5. Low-Fat Yogurt
Low-fat dairy products are also a good source of protein. Yogurt is an excellent meal supplement for seniors recovering from strokes, as it provides calcium, protein, and other heart-healthy nutrients. Seniors can dress up plain yogurt with whole-grain granola and tasty fruit.
6. Berries
Seniors recovering from strokes should eat a wide variety of fruits, but berries are especially full of heart-healthy nutrients. Blueberries and raspberries contain flavonoids, a type of antioxidant that can lower blood pressure levels. Berries can be eaten as a snack, or they can be added to oatmeal, yogurt, or smoothies.
If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a Columbia home care agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we guarantee all of our in-home care services. Reach out to one of our friendly Care Managers today.
