Digestible Bites:

When you’re caring for someone with Parkinson’s disease, so much of your time and energy can be focused on their needs. You might be thinking about their medications, appointments, symptoms, meals, hydration and daily routine. Meanwhile, your own meals can easily become an afterthought.

When eating requires too much effort it can be easy to skip meals or go long stretches without food and over time, can contribute to low energy and unintentional weight loss. It can also make it harder to get enough protein and other important nutrients in consistently. But one simple strategy to make eating easier is to create a snack station.

When most people hear "strength training," they picture bodybuilders, heavy barbells, or someone trying to build bigger muscles. But for someone living with Parkinson's, resistance training isn't about becoming the strongest person in the gym. It's about maintaining the strength and confidence to continue doing the things that matter most like getting out of a chair without using your hands, carrying groceries, climbing stairs, keeping up with grandchildren and reducing your

When we think about nutrition, we usually think about what's on our plate like protein, fiber, fruits, vegetables and fluids. But there's another ingredient that can play an important role in our health and well-being: connection.

For a lot of people living with Parkinson’s, tasks like chopping, opening containers, or handling utensils can start to feel more difficult over time. That can make cooking feel frustrating or even overwhelming. If that sounds familiar, just know you’re not alone. The good news is that eating well doesn’t have to mean complicated cooking or long hours in the kitchen.

I recently came across a study that felt especially relevant to our community because it highlights something we’ve discussed before: the connection between the gut and Parkinson’s disease.

Glucose is your body and brain’s primary fuel source. After we eat, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which enters the bloodstream. Insulin then helps move that glucose into cells where it can be used for energy. When this system works well, energy levels tend to feel steady and predictable.

As we head into the new year, many people feel pressure to set big goals or make sweeping resolutions. But if you're living with Parkinson’s or caring for someone who is, that traditional approach can feel overwhelming, unrealistic or even discouraging at times.

Levodopa is one of the most important medications for Parkinson’s. After you take it, the body converts it into dopamine, which helps with movement and symptom control. It works best when it’s absorbed consistently, and that process can be influenced by protein. This is because protein is made up of amino acids, some of which compete with levodopa for absorption and transport.

People with Parkinson’s have a higher risk of fractures, especially from falls. Some contributing factors include reduced mobility, low vitamin D levels, changes in muscle strength + muscle loss and in some cases, side effects of medications. That’s why nutrition that supports strong bones is an essential part of your plan of care.

Living with Parkinson’s can make everyday tasks like cooking feel more tiring or overwhelming than they used to. That’s where simple batch cooking and meal prep strategies can make a big difference. You don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen or cook like a chef. With a few small changes, you can make your meals more accessible, save time and energy and help keep your nutrition on track (even on your most challenging days).

Living with Parkinson’s can make everyday tasks like cooking feel more tiring or overwhelming than they used to. That’s where simple batch cooking and meal prep strategies can make a big difference. You don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen or cook like a chef. With a few small changes, you can make your meals more accessible, save time and energy and help keep your nutrition on track (even on your most challenging days).

Your gut and brain are in constant communication through something called the gut-brain axis. This connection is so powerful that researchers believe a key protein involved in Parkinson’s (called alpha-synuclein) may actually begin building up in the gut years before it appears in the brain. So, supporting gut health isn’t just about improving digestion; it may also play a role in how Parkinson’s develops and progresses.

Let’s look at some simple ways to support your well-being through food and fluids this summer.

Small Wins, shifting goals and showing up in whatever capacity you can

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When we look at maintaining strength, independence and mobility when living with Parkinson’s disease, bone health is a key concern.