Nutrition & Meal Plans Following a Stroke
After a stroke, it is often hard for a person to get the nutrients they need. Your loved one’s speech-language pathologist and dietitian are great resources to turn to for questions about healthy and safe drinking and eating post-stroke. A dietician can also recommend dietary supplements, or meal plans that target specific foods and beverages to optimize nutrient intake.
The following concerns may contribute to poor nutrition following a stroke:
- Swallowing problems – the medical term for this is dysphagia
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty using dominant arm/hand to drink and eat
- Trouble with memory or thinking clearly
Foods high in antioxidants, potassium, fiber, calcium and folate (folic acid) have been associated with good health after stroke. Below is a list of some foods that contain each of these.