Make Healthy Eating Easier with a Parkinson's Snack Station

As most of you know by now, eating well can become more challenging with Parkinson’s. Tremors can make packages difficult to open. Muscle stiffness and slower movement can make preparing food take more time. Fatigue or a lack of motivation can also make a simple snack feel like a lot of work.

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.

Choose one easy to reach area in your refrigerator and another in your pantry. Fill each space with foods that require little or no preparation. Think of it as your collection of reliable options for the days when energy is lower or symptoms are more noticeable.

A few ideas include:

• Greek yogurt or yogurt drinks

• Cheese sticks

• Hard-boiled eggs

• Hummus cups

• Fruit

• Nut butter packets

• Tuna or chicken pouches

• Roasted edamame

• Trail mix

• Nutrition or protein shakes

• Whole grain crackers

• Applesauce or fruit cups

Try to include both protein and carbohydrates in most snacks. Remember protein supports muscle health while carbohydrates help give you energy. A yogurt drink with fruit or crackers with hummus can be more satisfying than eating either food alone.

Packaging matters too. Small tabs and tight lids can be frustrating for someone with changes in grip or dexterity. A family member or care partner can transfer snacks into easy to open containers ahead of time. Adaptive jar openers and lightweight cups may also make eating a little easier.

It can also help to place snacks where they are easy to see. We are all more likely to eat something when it is visible and ready to go. Setting a reminder may help if fatigue or a reduced appetite makes it harder to notice hunger.

Each person with Parkinson’s will have different needs. Someone with difficulty chewing or swallowing may need different textures or specially prepared foods. Coughing during meals or feeling like food gets stuck should be discussed with the healthcare team. A speech language pathologist can provide an individualized swallowing evaluation.

Remember your snack station doesn’t have to be fancy. The goal is simply to make nourishing food easier to grab on the days when cooking or preparing a full meal feels like too much. Sometimes the best snack is the one that’s ready when you need it!