✓ What to Eat
✓ Leafy greens and vegetables
High in potassium and nitrates, both linked to healthier blood pressure
✓ Oily fish
A source of omega-3 fats, recommended as part of a heart-healthy diet
✓ Whole grains
Soluble fibre helps manage cholesterol, a key stroke risk factor
✓ Berries and colourful fruit
Antioxidants support healthy blood vessel lining
✗ What to Avoid
✗ Excess salt and processed foods
Directly raises blood pressure, the single biggest controllable stroke risk factor
✗ Trans fats and excess saturated fat
Contributes to the arterial plaque build-up that can cause further strokes
✗ Excess alcohol
Raises blood pressure and stroke recurrence risk when consumed regularly in excess
Practical Tips
💡 This overlaps heavily with heart health
The same DASH-style, Mediterranean-pattern eating that helps blood pressure and cholesterol is the foundation of stroke secondary prevention
💡 Take all medications as prescribed
Diet supports but never replaces blood thinners, blood pressure medication, or statins prescribed after a stroke
💡 Swallowing difficulties need specialist assessment
If you have any difficulty swallowing food or liquids, this must be assessed by a speech and language therapist — this is a separate medical concern from general nutrition and carries real safety risks if not properly managed
💡 Work with your stroke recovery team
Rehabilitation needs are highly individual — this guidance covers general nutrition only, not rehabilitation, mobility, or swallowing safety