5 diet tips for Parkinson’s from a registered dietitian

Watch the recording for Richelle Flanagan’s webinar with SYMBYX to hear insights on nutrition and Parkinson’s disease, watch the webinar recording available here.
 
“I have Parkinson’s disease, what should I be eating?” 

Healthy eating habits can alleviate certain symptoms of Parkinson’s. But what does that look like? 

Today we’ll be summarising a recent webinar that SYMBYX hosted with Richelle Flanagan, a:
  • Registered dietitian
  • Person with young-onset Parkinson’s
  • Co-founder of My Moves Matter (an app designed to analyse how womens’ menstruation impacts Parkinson’s symptoms)
  • Alumni ambassador for World Parkinson’s Congress
  • And as a passionate educator on the topic of Parkinson’s and nutrition, there is truly nobody more qualified to speak about this. 

In Richelle’s words, nutrition is the “missing piece of the puzzle” when it comes to Parkinson’s disease. The SYMBYX Team were honoured to have co-host her for the webinar “Forgotten Fuel: The Essential Role of Nutrition in Parkinson’s”. 

Keep reading to find out the key takeaways.

1. People with Parkinson’s often struggle with swallowing. 

Many people with Parkinson’s struggle with swallowing, as their jaw muscles are affected. This isn’t great, because medication can get stuck in the back of the throat, never reaching the stomach for absorption, making less effective.  

To combat these issues, consider visiting a speech and language therapist to analyse your capacity to swallow. Then, this information can be relayed back to your primary physician, who can help you identify the most effective way to take your medication.

2. Insufficient fibre may lead to constipation. 

Constipation is often a symptom experienced by those with Parkinson’s. Eating enough fibre is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy bowel, especially for people with
Parkinson’s. Richelle recommended having 7 servings of fibre a day, eating a
mix of:

  • Soluble fibre (e.g. fruit and vegetables, beans)
  • Insoluble fibre, which she called “nature’s broomstick for the bowel” (e.g. whole-wheat flour, nuts)
3. Self-awareness of dietary habits is important.

Richelle also recommended using a diary to track your meals and symptoms. This helps you be self-aware, and identify whether certain meals or habits improve or worsen your symptoms. This diary can also be shared with your physician, to make data-based adjustments to your routine.

4. Seek professional advice where possible.

Finally, Parkinson’s disease shows up differently for everyone. What works for one person may not work for another. It’s recommended that you visit a dietitian who can give you professional and tailored advice. 

Richelle also recommends these resources to know more about Diet and Parkinson's:

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