Stroke is the 4th most common cause of death in America. Strokes occur due to blood clots that block an artery carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart to your brain. It’s a leading cause of disability, and it can happen to anyone at any time. If you think you or someone else may be having a stroke, call 911 right away. Some foods have been linked with causing strokes. The best thing for everyone would be to avoid them as much as possible, but if this is not possible, just keep track of how often you eat them and how severe your symptoms get after they have them.
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Baked Chips, Crackers, And Sweet Goods
Any baked goods like chips, crackers, cookies, and sweet treats can increase stroke chances. These items contain hydrogenated oils, which allows them to stay on the shelf. These oils are known for creating issues and blockages near an artery. Try to limit your hydrogenated oil intake to 1-2 grams per day. If that is hard for you, try to lower your intake day by day. The goal is to have no hydrogenated oils in your diet. Read the food label closely and understand portion counts and daily values. Eat crackers that are truly whole grain and contain all-natural ingredients.
Fried Foods
One of the most common foods that lead to stroke is fried foods. This is because they are high in saturated fat, which can cause a build-up of plaque on artery walls. This makes it hard for blood to flow through and increases your risk of stroke. Eating one or two servings of fried food per week isn’t as bad as eating them every day, but you should still try to avoid them. There are many other ways to cook your food without using any type of oil. Try baking, roasting, poaching, or grilling instead! These methods don’t add unhealthy fats into your food and reduce your chances of a stroke.
Diet Sodas
Studies show that people who consume a lot of diet soda are more likely to be overweight and have high blood pressure. This is because artificial sweeteners like aspartame trick your body into thinking you’re getting calories without actually consuming them, leading to excessive hunger, which leads to overeating or binging on unhealthy foods. If you enjoy drinking diet soda, make sure not to overdo it by having one every day or several in one sitting! Maybe try replacing the daily can with water for better health benefits! Drink at least four glasses of water per day if possible – this helps flush out toxins from your system and will help improve overall health too!
Smoked Meat
Smoked meat contains a large level of sodium and nitrates, which can lead to increased blood pressure. This increases your risk for stroke because high blood pressure puts stress on artery walls and makes it harder for them to expand for the blood to flow through easily. There are many ways you can reduce or avoid these additives by finding natural brands that don’t use chemical-based preservatives as smoked meats do.
Processed Meat
Meat products have been linked with an increased chance of having a stroke as well. Red meat has more saturated fat than most other types of food. This can narrow the arteries and make it difficult for blood to flow through. Processed meats like bacon, ham, sausage, and lunchmeat have been linked with increased risk because they contain nitrates. These additives can cause a rise in blood pressure and damage cells in the lining of your artery walls. There are many other healthier options for protein that don’t come from meat products. Try consuming more plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, tofu, or tempeh! These foods are not only good for you, but they’re affordable and easy to cook with too!
Canned Soups
Canned soups have a high sodium content, which can cause your blood pressure to increase. This makes it more likely for you to experience a stroke in the future. Soups also often contain unhealthy fats and additives like MSG that are harmful to your health. If you enjoy soup, try making it at home with fresh ingredients instead of buying canned soups. This will allow you to control how much sodium is going into your soup and what other unhealthy additives or fats are added. There are many delicious recipes online that are healthy and easy to make! You could even make a big batch on the weekends, so you have lunch ready for during the week!
Conclusion
Eating unhealthy foods can lead to an increased risk for stroke. This is because these foods often contain high levels of sodium, unhealthy fats, and harmful additives. There are many ways to reduce your risk for stroke by avoiding these unhealthy foods and choosing healthier alternatives instead. Try making your own soup or meals at home with fresh ingredients rather than buying processed or canned food from the store. Drink plenty of water each day, and try to include plant-based proteins in your diet as well! These simple changes will help improve your overall health and reduce your chances of having a stroke in the future!
