Must-Try Recipes for People With Parkinson’s Disease!

Wondering what are the best meals and recipes for individuals with Parkinson’s disease?

I’ve got you covered!

Research [2] shows that certain types of food supplements and diets may help alleviate symptoms if not complement the action of drugs taken by patients afflicted with the disease.

With more than a million people in the U.S living with this disease [1], and more than 60,000 individuals who are diagnosed with it every year, it is important to take a deep dive into the diet for those afflicted!

Read to find out more!

ALSO CHECK: Best Eating Utensils for Parkinson’s Patients

FYI, this post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Here are some of my top favorite healthy Ingredients.

• Pompeian USDA Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Non-Stick Cooking Spray
• San-J Tamari Gluten Free Soy Sauce, Black Bottle, 10 Ounce 

• Judee’s Xanthan Gum 8oz – 100% Non-GMO, Keto-Friendly, Gluten-Free & Nut-Free

• Blue Diamond Almonds, Almond Flour, Gluten Free, Blanched, Finely Sifted

• Arrowhead Mills Organic Coconut Flour, Gluten Free, 16 Ounce Bag

What Supplements and Diets Are Recommended for Those With Parkinson’s Disease?

Researchers have shown that supplementing a diet with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, B vitamins, and coenzyme Q may help manage the disease.

Low carb, high-fat diets like the ketogenic diet [3] are seen to help strengthen the potency of medicines used to control symptoms of Parkinson’s disease as well.

Probiotics help regulate the balance of microbes in the gut, which, in turn, control low-grade inflammation in the gut and brain.

If you or a loved one has Parkinson’s Disease, here are some recipes that you can try out based on a Modified Atkins Ketogenic Diet [4].

1. Pork and Chicken Adobo Recipe for People With Parkinson’s Disease

This is based on a popular traditional Filipino dish that is so easy to make, which requires very few ingredients.

This is usually eaten with rice. However, on a Modified Atkins Ketogenic Diet, it would be best to serve this with riced cauliflower sauteed with chopped garlic to complete the meal.

Ingredient

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 250 g chicken breasts, cubed
• 250 g pork tenderloin, cubed
• 5 cloves of garlic, crushed (leave the skin on)
• 1/2 c. soy sauce, although for a more low-carb option, you can substitute this with tamari
• 1/2 c. vinegar (white or apple cider)
• 1/4 c water
• 1/4 teaspoon peppercorns
• 1 bay leaf 

How to Prepare This Recipe

• In a pressure cooker, heat the oil and saute the crushed garlic. 
• Add in the pork and chicken cubes and fry until browned.
• Add in the liquid ingredients and simmer for 5 minutes. Pressure cook at high for 20 minutes and serve.

Options:

This may also be done in a slow cooker cooked at high for around 5 hours.

• After cooking in the pressure cooker or slow cooker, you can gather the chicken pieces, flake them and fry them until crispy before adding them back to the pork pieces.
• Serve over riced cauliflower with some sauce and sliced tomatoes to complete your meal.
• If you aren’t into riced cauliflower, you can flake the pork and chicken meat and serve them in fathead bagels (recipe below) with lettuce and sliced tomatoes for a great sandwich!

CHECK: Best Weighted Pens for Tremors

2. Keto Fathead Bagels Recipe for People With Parkinson’s Disease

Ingredients

• 1 ½ c. almond flour
• 2 T. coconut flour
• 2 T. baking powder
• 2 ½ c. mozzarella cheese
• ¼ c cream cheese
• 1 tsp. xantham  gum
• 2 eggs

Instructions

1. Beat the eggs and set them aside.
2. In one bowl, mix all dry ingredients and set aside.
3. In another bowl, mix the cream cheese and the mozzarella cheese. Melt them in a microwave oven for 2 mins at high.
4. Mix the cheese mixture and the dry ingredients. Add in the egg and knead.
5. Shape these into bagels and place them on a pan lined with parchment paper.
6. Bake at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes.

The fathead dough recipe is a basic recipe for keto enthusiasts that is versatile! You can use it to make a pizza crust, or you can add in some of your favorite fruit to turn them into muffins too.

3. Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa (rich in protein and fiber)
• 2 cups water or low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
• 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional for added calcium)
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (healthy fat, anti-inflammatory)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (vitamin C, aids iron absorption)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the Quinoa: Rinse the quinoa under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa and water (or vegetable broth). Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the quinoa is fluffy and the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it cool.
2. Prepare the Vegetables: While the quinoa is cooling, prepare the vegetables by chopping the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, and parsley.
3. Mix the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, feta cheese (if using), and parsley.
4. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper.
5. Combine: Pour the dressing over the quinoa salad and toss well to combine. Adjust seasoning to taste.
6. Serve: This salad can be served immediately or chilled in the refrigerator for later. It makes a great lunch or a side dish for dinner.

Why This Recipe is Good for Parkinson’s:

• Rich in Fiber: Helps manage constipation, a common symptom in Parkinson’s.
• Healthy Fats: Olive oil provides anti-inflammatory benefits.
• Protein-Packed: Quinoa is a complete protein source, important for maintaining muscle mass.
• Easy to Prepare and Digest: Soft textures and simple preparation make it suitable for those with difficulties in food preparation or swallowing.
• Medication Absorption: The timing of meals and medication is crucial in Parkinson’s. This recipe is light and can be timed around medication to avoid interference with absorption.

For dessert, you might want to try out this simple low-carb mug cake recipe too!

Don’t forget to check our guide on what foods should Parkinson’s patients avoid!

Other recipes you may want to check out are this cloud bread recipe

or this low-carb chicken piccata recipe, which is perfect for any family dinner.

Key Takeaway

Living with Parkinson’s disease may be difficult. However, there are ways by which the onset of symptoms can be managed.

One excellent and healthy way of doing so is through the proper diet, as shown by many research studies.

Of course, we have to keep in mind that the food we eat nourishes our souls.

These recipes are perfectly good, so living with Parkinson’s disease doesn’t have to be bland. It doesn’t have to be limiting.

Resources

• 1. Parkinson’s Foundation. Statistics [Internet]. Parkinson’s Foundation. 2019. Available from: https://www.parkinson.org/Understanding-Parkinsons/Statistics
• 2. Lange KW, Nakamura Y, Chen N, Guo J, Kanaya S, Lange KM, et al. Diet and medical foods in Parkinson’s disease. Food Science and Human Wellness. 2019;8:83–95.
• 3. Mawer R. The ketogenic diet: A detailed beginner’s guide to keto [Internet]. Healthline. 2020. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ketogenic-diet-101
• 4. What is the Modified Atkins Diet and What Are the Benefits [Internet]. Charlie Foundation. [cited 2022 Jan 24]. Available from: https://charliefoundation.org/diet-plans/modified-atkins/

What are your favorite recipes for people with Parkinson’s disease? Let us know below!