A healthy diet benefits your wellbeing and can lower your risk of stroke.
With any diet pattern, we suggest using The Healthy Eating Foundations and Canada’s Food Guide to help build your meals.
There are some specific diet patterns that have been shown to lower your risk of stroke. Some of these diets also have other proven health benefits. Here are four specific diets that we recommend:
DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)
- Can reduce blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels which can all reduce the risk of stroke.
- Eating less salt
- Focuses on vegetables, fruit, low-fat dairy, whole grains, fish, poultry, nuts, seeds, and beans.
Vegetarian
- Can reduce blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and reduce the risk of Type 2 Diabetes which can all reduce the risk of stroke.
- Requires careful planning to make sure you get all the nutrients you need in a healthy pattern.
- Focuses on plant-based foods. Some vegetarians also consume eggs, dairy, and/or fish. A vegan diet excludes all animal-based foods.
Mediterranean Diet
- Can reduce risk of heart disease and improve cholesterol levels which can reduce the risk of stroke.
- Focus on vegetables, fruits, fish and whole grains. Choose olive oil as the main fat (in place of butter or other oils). Eat less salt. Limit red meat.
MIND Diet
- Hybrid of the Mediterranean and DASH diets
- Can protect your heart health and brain health.
- Focus on vegetables (lots of leafy greens), berries, nuts, fish and beans. Limit red meat, cheese, and sweets.