I recently had the opportunity to visit a senior center to discuss Parkinson's Disease and a healthy diet and lifestyle. Parkinson's is a chronic, progressive disorder characterized by a decrease in control of movement. It can cause tremors, slow movement, stiffness, and impaired balance or coordination. Nutritional concerns stemming from Parkinson's could include loss of sense of smell or appetite, difficulty swallowing, or constipation.
So the question is, what can we
do about these symptoms?!
do about these symptoms?!
1. Loss of Appetite: Try small, frequent meals. Introduce favorite foods when appetite is good. This will encourage greater intakes during phases of improved appetite. Try flavoring foods with herbs and spices; this could combat any taste changes related to the loss of the sense of smell.
2. Difficulty chewing or swallowing: Try mechanical soft foods. These are foods that have been altered by blending, chopping, grinding, or mashing. Cook meats in gravies until they are soft and tender. If smoothies are an option, try adding 100% whey protein powder for extra calories and protein. Foods that are liquid at room temperature should be thickened.
3. Constipation: This is one of the most common symptoms. associated with Parkinson's. To improve constipation with the diet, slowly increase fiber intake over the course of a few weeks. Optimum levels of fiber are 25-35 grams/day. Fiber is in whole grain breads, brown rice, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Exercise is also a great way to improve constipation. High intensity exercise, like biking or running, not only improves constipation, but it may also aid in symptom management and may possibly slow the disease progression.
2. Difficulty chewing or swallowing: Try mechanical soft foods. These are foods that have been altered by blending, chopping, grinding, or mashing. Cook meats in gravies until they are soft and tender. If smoothies are an option, try adding 100% whey protein powder for extra calories and protein. Foods that are liquid at room temperature should be thickened.
3. Constipation: This is one of the most common symptoms. associated with Parkinson's. To improve constipation with the diet, slowly increase fiber intake over the course of a few weeks. Optimum levels of fiber are 25-35 grams/day. Fiber is in whole grain breads, brown rice, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Exercise is also a great way to improve constipation. High intensity exercise, like biking or running, not only improves constipation, but it may also aid in symptom management and may possibly slow the disease progression.