DietandParkinsonsbookletWordversion(294KB).docVIP

Diet and Parkinson’s  Having a balanced diet is an important part of looking after your health. If you have Parkinson’s, you may need to take a little extra care with what you eat and drink, as some of the symptoms and side effects from your medication may affect your appetite. This booklet provides information about maintaining a healthy diet and looks at particular diet issues relating to Parkinson’s Contents Eating a balanced diet What should I eat? Food groups How often should I eat? Maintaining a healthy weight I am overweight. What can I do? I am underweight or losing too much weight. What can I do? Constipation How to increase your fibre intake How does fibre help? How much fluid should I drink? Parkinson’s medication and your diet When should I take my Parkinson’s medications? How can protein affect my medication? Can I take indigestion tablets? Vitamins, food supplements and special diets Vitamin D Antioxidants Co-enzyme Q10 Other mineral and vitamin supplements Do I need to take food supplements? Special diets Food shopping and preparation Dishes and cutlery Should I buy special utensils? Cutlery Cups and mugs Plates Other equipment Eating and swallowing problems What can I do to help with swallowing? Should I try a puree diet? More information and support Eating a balanced diet What should I eat? You should try to enjoy a wide variety of foods each day. This guide can help you to choose foods from the different food groups each day to make sure you are eating as healthily as possible.1 If you can, try to eat foods from three different groups at each meal. Food groups Starchy foods (carbohydrates) Each of your meals and snacks should have some starchy foods, such as bread, potatoes, rice, chapattis, yams, pasta, noodles, oats, cornmeal, crackers, toast or breakfast cereals. Dairy products Aim for three to five servings of milk or dairy foods every day. A serving is a third of a pint of milk, one small pot of yoghurt, or a small matchbox sized