If you’ve had a stroke, you don’t have to replace flavorful cuisine with bland foods on your journey to recovery.
There are easy, delicious meal options that follow American Heart Association nutrition guidelines for lowering your risk of another stroke. More fiber, whole grains, fruit, vegetables and lean protein, with less trans fat, saturated fat, sodium and sugar are key to supporting your recovery efforts. Rehabilitation care teams and dietitians at Wellstar recommend keeping meals and snacks interesting with variety and new recipes like these.
Coconut Truffles satisfy your sweet tooth without any added sugar.
Ingredients:
12 medjool dates, pitted
2 tablespoons water
4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup puffed brown rice
½ cup shredded unsweetened dried coconut
Directions:
- Using a blender or food processor, puree dates and water until a sticky paste forms.
- Add cocoa powder and pulse until a solid dough forms.
- Stir in puffed brown rice.
- Using a small scoop, form mixture into 14 tablespoon size balls.
- Roll each ball in the shredded coconut for a light coating.
- Refrigerate for one hour.
- Enjoy!
Southwestern-Style Breakfast Casserole is a great way to start your morning.
Ingredients:
6 slices hearty whole-grain bread, cut into cubes
1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and liquid squeezed out
1 7-ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped (or 1 red bell pepper, roasted and chopped)
1 ½ cups (6 ounces) Mexican-style cheese
3 cups non-fat milk
8 ounces egg substitute
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
Directions:
- Coat a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Layer the bread in the bottom of the baking dish.
- Sprinkle evenly with the spinach, red peppers and cheese into baking dish.
- Combine the non-fat milk, egg substitute, garlic powder, cumin, black pepper and salt, then pour into baking dish.
- Cover and refrigerate at least four hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
For more heart-healthy recipes, visit American Heart Association Recipes.
To learn more about how you can partner with Wellstar rehabilitation care teams to reduce your risk of another stroke, visit https://www.wellstar.org/medical-services/treatments-procedures/rehabilitation-services/neuro-rehabilitation..
