These days most senior stroke survivors live with diabetes and have a higher risk of recurrent strokes. But thankfully, a healthy diet can help in lowering those odds. Thus, by consuming the best vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, your body can control diabetes.
When diabetic seniors have strokes, they must be very careful about what they are eating during their recovery. However, eating unhealthy foods could slow your recovery and cause problems with your blood sugar levels.
While there isn’t a single diet that will work for everyone, there are some nutrient-dense foods that most stroke survivors will benefit from.
Remember that nutritional intervention is important to a diabetic stroke survivor’s care plan. Healthy eating can usually augment the therapeutic effects of insulin and other prescription medications.
It can also manage varying blood glucose levels and may lower the risk of diabetes-related complications and recurrent strokes. You can look at a few healthy foods for stroke survivors who have diabetes and get to know the benefits of it.
1: Greek Yogurt
This food is a natural source of probiotics and is high in protein, rich in calcium, and has lower sodium content than the other dairy products. Greek Yogurt can stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce heart disease.
It is mainly because of the probiotics this dairy choice contains. However, if your senior wants more flavor, you can add fresh berries to the Greek Yogurt instead of purchasing products made with artificial sweeteners.
2: Boost drink for diabetes
Boost drink for diabetes is the healthiest drink choice for an individual with diabetes. The boost glucose control nutrition drinks are sugar-free, calorie-free and refreshing. Moreover, it provides a balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fats that are mainly designed to help manage blood glucose levels as a part of a balanced diet.
3: Fatty Fish
Low-mercury fish can be less challenging for senior stroke survivors to chew. It mainly prevents them from skipping meals and missing the nutrients they need to maintain good heart and brain health.
Fatty fish contains omega-3 fatty acids that increase circulation and reduce the risk of plaque buildup and blockages. When oxygen-rich blood flows easily to someone’s brain, it lowers the risk of another stroke.
Fish such as salmon and trout contain EPA and DHA and helps in reducing inflammation. It also protects the blood vessels and enhances artery function.
4: Ginger
In people with diabetes, ginger decreases blood sugar while increasing insulin levels. It may also prevent heart attacks and strokes by lowering the chance of blood clots.
Fresh ginger can be soaked in a cup of boiling water to make a nutritious tea or added to stir-fries, stews, and soups. Consider sugarless candied ginger if your elderly loved one finds the taste of raw ginger to be too spicily or potent.
Before adding ginger to your parent’s diet, consult the doctor. Large portions of ginger should be avoided if your loved one takes a prescription.
5: Broccoli
The fiber, calcium, vitamins, and other minerals that seniors need to control their diabetes and recover from a stroke are all found in this vegetable. In addition to lowering insulin levels, broccoli helps shield cells from free radical damage.
Broccoli is offered in steam bags and must be heated before serving or consumed by your loved one. The chemicals in steam-bag vegetables can increase cholesterol and blood pressure. It increased the risk of diabetes-related issues and repeated strokes. Keep to frozen vegetables that are nutritious and fresh broccoli.
6: Squash
One of the healthiest vegetables is squash, which older stroke patients can digest and swallow more easily. Antioxidants found in squash help prevent the cell damage caused by strokes that more senior people encounter.
Squash has antioxidants that protect against oxidative stress, a problem for diabetic adults. Since the vegetable is satisfying, the likelihood of overeating is reduced.
To manage their weight and avoid insulin issues, seniors with diabetes who are recuperating from strokes should eat as many low-calorie, high-nutrient foods as possible.
7: Eggs
The fact that eggs can keep seniors satisfied for hours is only one of their incredible health benefits. Including eggs in your loved one’s weekly diet may improve insulin sensitivity, raise healthy cholesterol levels, and lower inflammation.
Eating eggs can also increase recovery chances by reducing the likelihood of a further stroke. Prepare a range of egg-containing dishes, such as omelets, eggs, and avocados on whole-grain toast and salads topped with eggs—the other nutritious foods, to ensure that your loved one eats at least one egg each day.
8: Tomatoes
Tomatoes are high in the disease-preventing antioxidant lycopene. Lycopene is believed to possess neuroprotective qualities that could lessen the consequences of brain damage brought on by strokes.
Tomatoes are a wonderful source of immune-stimulating vitamin C and help maintain healthy blood sugar levels. The acidity of tomatoes may be too much for some older adults to handle. Cooking tomatoes may lessen acidity if your loved one has heartburn or acid reflux after consuming them raw.
10: Whole Wheat Bread
For diabetic stroke survivors, complex carbs like whole wheat bread are an excellent meal choice. Whole wheat bread is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals and may prevent dangerous blood sugar spikes. While lowering cholesterol levels, the elements in whole wheat bread may also reduce the risk of having another stroke.
11: Chia Seeds
Chia seeds lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. Due to its high fiber, omega-3 fatty acid, and ability to curb appetite, diabetic stroke survivors won’t be as tempted to eat harmful foods.
Low-density lipoproteins and serum triglycerides may both be reduced by chia seeds. They go well in smoothies, Yogurt, and salads.
12: Whole Wheat Pasta
Pasta that has been refined has low nutritional value. It contains little fiber and lots of carbs. As a result of nerve damage, stroke survivors may endure episodes of constipation. Whole-wheat pasta also has a lower glycemic index, making it a healthier option for people with diabetes.
Because it avoids dangerous blood sugar increases. Pasta prepared from vegetables like carrots, spinach, and beets is another healthy option for stroke survivors who are simultaneously managing their diabetes and whole-wheat types.
13: AppleSauce
Unsweetened applesauce is a smooth and reviving treat for diabetics and stroke sufferers because it is low in fat and sugar. Add a dash of cinnamon to the unsweetened applesauce to improve the flavor.
Cinnamon has been demonstrated to lower cholesterol and blood sugar in people with diabetes. The nutritional value of unsweetened applesauce increases by including raisins, dates, or figs. Applesauce is a good source of iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and vitamin B6, all of which are crucial for stroke and diabetes survivors.
14: Sweet potatoes
In contrast to white potatoes, sweet potatoes are rich in adiponectin, a substance that aids insulin control, and beta-carotene.
In contrast to white potatoes, which have a higher glycemic load, they are also low in fat and sodium and are categorized as “low glycemic” foods.
Sweet potatoes are excellent for stroke survivors with diabetes because they are high in disease-fighting phytochemicals and antioxidants.
Conclusion
Seniors can indeed face a variety of age-related challenges. However, some families take on caregiving duties when they need a trusted senior care provider.
Families sometimes need respite from their duties to focus on their work and other responsibilities. Also, some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families need help to provide. So, one should look up to them when they are in need.
