Parkinson’s Awareness Month: The Role of Nutrition in Living Well

Parkinson’s Awareness Month is an opportunity to increase understanding of Parkinson’s disease and highlight ways we can better support those living with it.

While Parkinson’s is primarily known for its impact on movement, it can also affect digestion, appetite, energy levels, and nutritional status. From a dietitian’s perspective, nutrition is a powerful tool to support quality of life, symptom management, and overall wellbeing.

Understanding the Nutrition Challenges

People living with Parkinson’s may experience:

• Reduced appetite or unintentional weight loss
• Constipation and slowed digestion
• Fatigue impacting meal preparation
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• Interactions between food and medications

These challenges can significantly impact day-to-day living — but with the right support, they can be managed. 💛

Nutrition Strategies That Make a Difference

1️⃣ Support Gut Health and Regularity

Constipation is one of the most common non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Helpful strategies include:

• Including fibre-rich foods such as oats, fruit (especially kiwifruit), vegetables, and seeds
• Drinking adequate fluids throughout the day
• Establishing regular eating patterns

2️⃣ Be Strategic with Protein

Protein is essential for maintaining muscle mass, but it can interfere with the absorption of levodopa, a common Parkinson’s medication. Spacing protein intake evenly across the day may help, though this approach should always be individualised.

3️⃣ Embrace Healthy Fats

A Mediterranean-style eating pattern may support brain and heart health. Consider:

• Including oily fish a few times per week
• Adding extra virgin olive oil daily
• Incorporating nuts, seeds, and avocado

These foods help increase intake of healthy unsaturated fats. 🫒

4️⃣ Don’t Forget Bone Health

With an increased risk of falls, maintaining strong bones is essential. Ensuring adequate calcium and vitamin D intake can help support bone mineral density.

The Role of a Dietitian

Every person living with Parkinson’s has a different experience. A dietitian can:

• Tailor meal plans to symptoms and preferences
• Support weight maintenance or gain
• Help manage gastrointestinal symptoms
• Align nutrition with medication timing
• Provide practical, realistic strategies for everyday life

If you’d like support with Parkinson’s nutrition for yourself, a family member or a patient, working with a dietitian can be a valuable step toward better daily living.