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Tasmania has the highest rate of new strokes than any other state or territory in Australia. In 2020, more than 660 people in Tasmania experienced a stroke for the first time and there were more than 11,000 survivors of stroke living in our community.
What is a stroke?
A stroke is caused after blood supply to the brain is stopped or reduced. This can be caused by a blocked artery or a bleeding blood vessel in the brain. This stops the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain, causing damage.
How can nutrition help prevent stroke?
A varied diet helps reduce the risk of stroke by supporting a healthy heart, brain and body. Enjoy a variety of:
- vegetables and fruit
- legumes such as lentils and chickpeas
- whole grains such as oats, wholegrain breads and pastas
- healthy fats such as oily fish, olive oil, avocado, and nuts.
Give salt the shake
Eating too much salt can contribute to high blood pressure. High blood pressure can increase the risk of stroke.
Some people get used to salty tasting food and think that their food needs salt to taste good. Your taste buds can adjust to new flavours after a few weeks. Your food may taste bland when you first stop adding salt, but your taste buds will quickly adjust.
Some ideas to help reduce salt include:
- Reduce processed meats like ham, salami, sausages and bacon.
- Choose unsalted nuts and avoid snack foods high in salt like chips.
- Instead of adding salt when you are cooking, try using:
- lemon juice
- garlic
- ginger
- herbs and spices
- vinegar
- wine.
