Nutrition for Parkinson’s: Fueling Your Best Life -Parkinsons Awareness Series

In Week 2 of our Parkinson’s Awareness Month series, we explore one of the most important tools for managing symptoms and boosting energy: nutrition. What you eat can have a major impact on how you feel, how your medications work, and how you live each day with Parkinson’s.

Learn practical tips for creating a brain- and body-friendly diet, including the importance of hydration, protein timing, and foods that support overall health.

🥗 In this episode:

• How nutrition impacts Parkinson’s symptoms
• Tips for eating well without being overwhelmed
• Simple food swaps that make a difference

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🔖 #ParkinsonsNutrition #ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth #BrainHealthyFoods #LiveBetterWithParkinsons #SuperfoodsForParkinsons

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Chapters

• 0:10 Welcome to Live Parkinson's
• 0:35 Nutrition as Fuel for Parkinson's
• 1:08 Key Nutritional Principles Explained
• 2:42 Personal Experience and Simple Changes
• 4:09 Action Steps and Next Episode Preview
• 4:57 Closing and Support Information

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:10

Hello and welcome to Live Parkinson's. Live an Exceptional Life your place for real, practical strategies to help you live a great quality of life with Parkinson's. I'm your host, chris Kustenbader, and I've been living with Parkinson's for 15 years, and this is week two of our special four-part series for Parkinson's Awareness Month. Last week, we talked about the power of movement, how exercise can dramatically improve life with Parkinson's. If you missed it, go back and give it a listen. Today we're shifting gears and diving into another powerful strategy nutrition, or, as I like to say, food that fuels your fight when you're living with Parkinson's, what you eat isn't just about calories. It's about giving your body and your brain the best fuel to manage symptoms, maintain energy and support your medications. Now, let's be honest nutrition can feel overwhelming, especially with all the different diets out there, but today we're going to keep it simple and sustainable. Here's what we need to know.

Speaker 1: 1:08

There's no one-size-fits-all Parkinson's diet, but research and experience tell us a few key things. First, whole foods matter. Think fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and lean proteins. These are anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich and help keep your body running smoothly. Second, hydration is crucial. Many people with Parkinson's are chronically dehydrated, and that worsens symptoms like fatigue, constipation and even balance. So aim for six to eight cups of water a day to help keep you hydrated. Third, fiber is your friend. Constipation is a big issue in Parkinson's. Add fiber-rich foods like oats, lentils, berries and leafy greens. Combine that with water and late movement and your gut will say thank you. Fourth, watch the timing of protein. Levodopa, one of the most common Parkinson's medications, can compete with protein for absorption. Try having your biggest protein meal a few hours away from when you take your meds. Talk to your doctor or dietician about what's right for you. And then, finally, limit ultra-processed foods and sugar, because these spike your blood sugar, they increase inflammation and can worsen energy crashes and mood swings. You deserve better fuel than that, so try to reduce or eliminate as much sugar in processed foods as you possibly can.

Speaker 1: 2:42

All right, when I started really paying attention to what I was putting into my body, I did notice a huge difference. I had more energy, fewer crashes, I didn't feel as hungry in the afternoon and my digestion improved. I also noticed that when I cut back on sugar, my tremors felt less intense and my focus improved. It wasn't about being perfect, because I'm far from it, especially when it comes to diet, but it was about being intentional. I tried to do all the things that I just mentioned above, so try this.

Speaker 1: 3:13

Start with one small change this week. Maybe it's adding a green smoothie in the morning, drinking one extra glass of water a day, or swapping that afternoon cookie for a handful of nuts and berries. Small steps build big results over time. Now here's a simple Parkinson's-friendly snack that you can prep today. Get one banana, one tablespoon of almond butter and a sprinkle of ground flax seeds. It's loaded with potassium, healthy fats, fiber and brain-boosting omega-3s, and it's delicious. That is if you like bananas. Now here's a bonus idea. If cooking feels overwhelming, one thing you can do is batch prep some simple meals once a week, or ask a friend or family member to help you out. There are also local services and delivery options that offer healthy, parkinson's-friendly meals, so don't be afraid to ask for help.

Speaker 1: 4:09

Nutrition is self-care. It doesn't have to be a solo mission. Now here's your takeaway Nutrition is one of your most powerful tools. You don't need to overhaul your life overnight. Just start by choosing foods that support your brain, your body and your journey. Next week, in our Awareness Month series, we'll explore something that's just as powerful optimism and positivity, how your mindset can shape your experience with Parkinson's in surprising ways. But before you go, take some action. Visit liveparkinsonscom, subscribe to the free monthly newsletter and there's a bunch of other free resources and articles on there to take advantage of. Download your Building your Parkinson's Care Team Resource Guide and Workbook. That's on the homepage. And if you love this podcast and want to support our mission, visit our Ko-fi page at ko-ficom. Slash liveparkinsons and we appreciate the support. Together we're building a community of strength, strategy and support. One meal, one step and one moment at a time. So thanks for joining me on this journey. Until next time, eat well, stay healthy, stay strong and remember you're not just living with Parkinson's, you're living an exceptional life.