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Nutritional Advice for Stroke Patients and Their Families
Healthy eating must become a way of life for us all, not
just the person who has suffered a stroke; the entire household
can offer true support by eating healthily as well.
Weight loss is based on an attitude of fitness for life,
based on maintaining the body at a size that is appropriate for
height and body structure. All individuals need the same
nutrients but the proportions will vary depending on gender,
age, stage of development, body size and type, level of
activity, and state of health, . People who do not exercise need
1500-2500 kcal/d. More active individuals need about 3000
kcal/d.
Food is placed into six groups according to their major
nutrient contribution:
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Staples (carbohydrates, protein)
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Legumes and Nuts (carbohydrates, protein)
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Vegetables (vitamins, minerals)
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Food from animals (protein, fat)
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Fruits (carbohydrates, vitamins)
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Fats and oils (fats)
N.B. Sugars, sweets, honey, beverages are included in a
miscellaneous grouping providing simple carbohydrates.
In each meal the proportion of nutrients should be
carbohydrates 60-70%, protein 10-15%, and fat 20-25%. Since
counting calories and calculating percentages of food is often
rather tedious, here are a few guidelines to healthy eating:
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Trim all visible fat from the meat and remove the skin from
poultry before cooking it.
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Limit the use of salad dressing, mayonnaise, gravy, and rich
sauces.
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Aim for seven to ten portions of fruit and vegetables daily.
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Avoid second helpings and prepare smaller amounts of food.
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Use the 50% rule: enjoy your favourite foods but have half
the usual amount.
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Eat slowly and savour every moment.
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Small changes can make a big difference. Eating habits
develop over a lifetime so do not expect to make massive changes
overnight.
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There is no such thing as a perfect eating pattern;
you just need to be getting better at making healthy food
choices.
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Dieting only serves to disrupt your normal eating pattern.
The weight lost is usually regained within weeks of ending the
dieting game.
And remember, a balanced well-planned diet must be combined
with plenty of exercise.
Prepared by the Barbados Register of Strokes, Chronic
Disease Research Centre for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of
Barbados.
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