Every six minutes, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD), making it the fastest-growing neurodegenerative disease in the world.
At Dietitian Driven, we partner with the David & Rhoda Chase Family Movement Disorders Center at Hartford Healthcare to support people living with Parkinson’s. In this post, we’ll break down what diet you should eat for Parkinson’s to:
- Enhance medication effectiveness
- Ease constipation and support gut health
- Support weight management
- Protect cognition and slow disease progression
- Reduce fatigue and sleepiness
What Is Parkinson’s?
Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the central nervous system, most often thought of as a progressive movement disorder.
We don’t know the exact cause, but it’s thought to be from a mix of genetics and environmental exposures. It usually develops around age 60 and is more common in men.
Here’s what happens:
- Dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra (the part of the brain that controls smooth, purposeful movement) become damaged.
- Nerve endings that produce norepinephrine (the messenger that supports involuntary body functions such as breathing, blood pressure, and digestion) are also reduced.
Common symptoms include:
- Tremors (hands, feet, jaw)
- Slowed movement and stiffness
- Balance issues and fall risk
- Constipation and swallowing difficulties
- Speech and sleep changes
- Memory and thinking problems
- Mood symptoms (depression, anxiety, apathy)
These symptoms typically don’t appear until 60–80% of dopamine-producing neurons are already lost.
How Is Parkinson’s Treated?
There’s no cure for Parkinson’s (yet!), but treatment can improve quality of life and help manage symptoms. Many people live with a near-normal life expectancy. Treatment includes:
- Medication: dopaminergic drugs replace or mimic dopamine; other medications address tremors, depression, or anxiety.
- Therapies: physical, occupational, and speech therapy support movement and balance, independence in daily activities, and communication and swallowing.
- Lifestyle: nutrition and exercise to improve symptoms and reduce complications related to the disease.
Nutrition is where dietitians (hey, that’s us! 👋) step in. Let’s talk about what diet you should eat for Parkinson’s.
How Diet Helps Parkinson’s
Constipation & Gut Health
Up to 70% of people with PD struggle with constipation, sometimes years before motor symptoms develop.
Researchers have also found differences in gut bacteria: people with PD often have fewer Prevotella, Faecalibacterium, and Roseburia (all beneficial gut bacteria).
To add, some PD patients also have gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying). This can worsen constipation, nausea, and reduce medication absorption.
Nutrition strategies:
- Fiber: 30–40g/day (aim for 10+g/meal)
- 1 medium apple with skin ≈ 4g
- ½ cup cooked beans ≈ 7g
- 1 slice whole-grain bread ≈ 2g
- Prebiotics: bananas, onions, garlic, chicory root, artichokes, beans to specifically increase beneficial gut bacteria
- Hydration: 8–12 cups/day
- Fermented foods: yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi
- Movement: to stimulate bowel motility
Supporting gut health can ease constipation, reduce inflammation, and even support mood.
Weight Management
Many people with Parkinson’s lose weight due to reduced appetite from changes in smell, taste, or swallowing (with up to 75% having speech and swallowing issues!). On top of this, tremors and muscle stiffness can further increase weight loss by burning extra energy. Weight loss can increase the risk of malnutrition, muscle loss, and fractures.
Nutrition strategies:
- Flavor food with herbs, spices, and citrus to boost appetite
- Eat small, frequent meals every 2–3 hours
- Consider oral nutrition supplements (e.g., Ensure, Kate Farms, Boost Very High Calorie)
- Limit liquids like coffee/tea at mealtimes to avoid filling up
- Choose easy-to-chew options (smoothies, ground meats, yogurt, pudding), with texture recommendations ideally guided by a speech therapist
Cognitive Health
The Mediterranean diet is tied to a lower risk of Parkinson’s and slower symptom progression. The reason? Its antioxidants reduce inflammation, protect brain cells, and support gut health (all key players in Parkinson’s!).
A 16-year study found that people who ate more plants, fish, poultry, and healthy fats (and less saturated fat and alcohol) had a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s. And these results have been backed up in other large studies.
Nutrition strategies:
- Fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables
- Choose whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds for more antioxidants
- Include fish regularly for omega-3 fatty acids
- Use olive oil and herbs/spices instead of butter and salt
- Limit red/processed meats to less than 2 times per week and added sugars (≤25 grams/day)
Medication & Food Interactions
Levodopa (the main PD medication) competes with dietary protein for absorption, reducing its effectiveness. Iron supplements also can interfere with levodopa absorption.
Nutrition strategies:
- Protein-redistribution diet: keep daytime protein super low (think 0–10 grams) and load up at night. Why? Studies show it can dial down motor symptoms by 32–79%.
- Take levodopa 30 minutes before or 60 minutes after meals
- Avoid iron supplements or multivitamins with iron within 2 hours of levodopa
Fatigue & Sleepiness
Loss of norepinephrine-producing nerve endings in PD can lead to fatigue.
Nutrition strategies:
- Caffeine: 2–4 cups coffee/day may improve alertness (good news for coffee lovers!).
- Hydration: 8–12 cups/day
- Small, frequent meals: to provide consistent energy
- Yogurt or cottage cheese with fruit and nuts
- Hummus with veggies, cheese, and crackers
- Salmon or tuna packets with toast
- Cheese and tomato sandwich
- Turkey wrap with cheese and shredded carrots and cabbage
- Overnight oats (or grab-and-go brands like Mushi or Brekki)
And if you’re following the other strategies in this blog, you’ll set yourself up for less fatigue.
Final Thoughts
Let’s be real: food won’t cure Parkinson’s. But it can make a big difference in how you feel day-to-day and in protecting your long-term health.
There’s no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to nutrition and Parkinson’s. Medications, side effects, energy levels, even the foods you enjoy all affect your care. That’s why our team builds plans that actually fit your life. 💛
