A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a blood clot or burst blood vessel. Strokes are a leading cause of disability and death in the US, with 780,000 occurring annually. Many risk factors for strokes can be prevented through lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, managing diabetes, exercising daily, and following a nutritious diet. This nutrition class focuses on making sensible food choices to help prevent strokes by avoiding foods high in sodium, saturated fat, and sugar and emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.