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In this Article

• Introduction to eating right with Parkinson's disease
• The basics of eating right with Parkinson's disease
• Medication and food interactions
• Controlling nausea
• Relieving thirst/dry mouth
• I am too tired to eat in the evening, what should I do?
• I don't feel like eating, what should I do?
• How can I make eating more enjoyable?
• Maintaining your weight with parkinson's disease
• Here are some high-calorie recipes to try.
• Find a local Neurologist in your town
• Parkinson's Disease: Eating Right Index

If you are often too tired to eat later in the day, here are some tips:

• Save your energy. Choose foods that are easy to prepare. Don't waste all your energy in preparing the meal because then you'll feel too tired to eat.
• Ask your family to help with meal preparations.
• Check to see if you are eligible to participate in your local Meals on Wheels Program.
• Keep healthy snack foods on hand such as fresh fruit and vegetables, pretzels, crackers, high-fiber cold cereals.
• Freeze extra portions of what you cook so you have a quick meal when you're too tired.
• Rest before eating so you can enjoy your meal.
• Try eating your main meal early in the day so you have enough energy to last you for the day.

Here are some tips for improving poor appetite.

• Talk to your doctor; sometimes, poor appetite is due to depression, which can be treated. Your appetite will probably improve after depression is treated.
• Avoid non-nutritious beverages.
• Eat small, frequent meals and snacks.
• Walk or participate in another light activity to stimulate your appetite.

Here are some tips to help you eat more at meals.

• Drink beverages after a meal instead of before or during a meal so that you do not feel full before you begin eating.
• Plan meals to include your favorite foods.
• Try eating the high-calorie foods in your meal first.
• Use your imagination to increase the variety of food you're eating.

Here are some tips to help you eat snacks.

• Don't waste your energy eating foods that provide little or no nutritional value such as potato chips, candy bars, colas, and other snack foods.
• Choose high-protein and high-calorie snacks. High calorie snacks include: ice cream, cookies, pudding, cheese, granola bars, custard, sandwiches, nachos with cheese, eggs, crackers with peanut butter, bagels with peanut butter or cream cheese, cereal with half and half, fruit or vegetables with dips, yogurt with granola, popcorn with margarine and parmesan cheese, or bread sticks with cheese sauce.

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