Nutrition

Good nutrition is essential for your recovery. Eating well-balanced meals and snacks will help you recover quickly and help you feel your best. What you eat affects your well-being.

If you do not eat enough of the right foods, you will become tired and less able to take care of yourself. Be sure you make time to eat—even if you do not feel hungry.

When you are planning your meals and snacks, try to think about what your plate should look like.

For meals, use a 9-inch plate, half with nonstarchy vegetables, 1/4 protein and 1/4 starch with a small plate of fruit. For snacks, half your plate should be protein or non starchy vegetables or a combination and half your plate should be fruit or grain or a combination.

These plates show examples of well-balanced meals and snacks. For breakfast, two piece of toast, one egg, some orange slices and a cup of tea are shown. For lunch, a cup of milk; a turkey sandwich with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions; a slice of watermelon, and a small plate of broccoli. For dinner, a glass of milk, some string beans, a chicken breast, a baked potato, and a small plate of berries. For a snack, a glass of water, an apple, and some cheese.

Nutrients important for your recovery

Eating foods rich in the following nutrients are important for your recovery.

  • Protein:
    Protein helps repair and build healthy tissue.
  • Iron:
    Iron works in each of your body’s cells to help make energy.
  • Vitamin C:
    Vitamin C helps your body repair damaged tissues, keeps your bones and teeth strong, and helps your body absorb iron.
  • Calcium:
    Calcium helps build and maintain your bones, your muscles move, your blood clot and your nerves send messages.
  • Fiber:
    Fiber helps your body produce regular bowel movements.

Use the healthful foods chart to help you choose foods for building well-balanced meals and snacks.

Source: Allina Health Patient Education, Understanding Stroke, fifth edition, neuro-ahc-90662
Reviewed By: Allina Health Patient Education experts
First Published: 02/01/2006
Last Reviewed: 05/01/2018

Tip 1

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, you should:

  • eat smaller portion sizes
  • make half of your grains whole
  • make half of your plate vegetables and fruits
  • drink fat-free or low-fat milk
  • eat lean proteins

Visit choosemyplate.gov for more information about nutrition.

Important
If you have questions about your nutrition and recovery, ask your health care provider.
Tip

It is important you get enough water every day. Drink when you feel thirsty and with your meals.

Ask your health care provider how much water you need every day. Follow any special directions if you have fluid restrictions or if you have had weight loss surgery.

Tip

Eat foods high in vitamin C to help absorb the iron that comes from plants such as spinach.

For instance, drink a glass of orange juice with an iron-fortified cereal.

Good sources of vitamin C are oranges, broccoli, tomatoes, kiwi, strawberries, peppers, potatoes and cabbage.