Nutrition, Diet and Parkinson's Disease
There is no one recommended way to eat with PD. Addressing symptoms — such as constipation, low blood pressure, and swallowing difficulties — may involve adjusting your diet. And taking certain medications may involve adjusting your diet. These resources recommend diet and nutrition for those with PD.
What to Eat and What Not to Eat
Brain Food: Eating Well if You Have Parkinson’s (or Worry You Might Get It)
By Rachel Dolhun, MD, and Erin Presant, DO. Published by The Michael J. Fox Foundation, 2022
This 66-page booklet with lots of pictures shares what to eat (and not) to boost brain health and ease PD symptoms, as well as how food impacts PD medications. Included is research results on diet and PD, pantry staples, and recipe ideas.
Diet and Parkinson’s
Published by Parkinson’s UK, June 2021
This 40-page booklet provides some basic healthy eating information, to help you maintain a balanced diet and a healthy weight. It also looks at the diet issues related to Parkinson’s and what you can do to manage these, including constipation, eating and swallowing difficulties, medications and diet, vitamins, food supplements, low blood pressure, food shopping and preparation, dishes and cutlery.
The Ideal Parkinson's Diet: Strategies From a Certified Dietitian
By Parkinson's Community Los Angeles, July 31, 2021
In this one-hour webinar, registered dietitian Jelena Etemovic, MS, RD shares what she learned in researching her dissertation, which was published as a cookbook for people with Parkinson's Disease.
Nutrition and Parkinson's
By Davis Phinney Foundation, April 2, 2021
In this 38-minute question and answer session, two women with Parkinson's, Edie Anderson and retired registered dietitian Marty Acevedo, discuss the basics of nutrition and Parkinson's Disease. Edie begins by asking Marty some of her own questions. The last 10 minutes are questions from listeners and a personal account of how Edie lives well with PD.
Nutrition and PD
By Heather Zwickey, PhD. Published by Parkinson's Foundation, 2022
This two-page fact sheet lists foods that provide neuroprotection and promote brain health and those that have antiinflammatory properties. Also discussed are dietary and hydration adjustments to improve constipation and urinary issues, sleep and fatigue. Finally, how foods affect PD medication is briefly explained.
Risks And Benefits Of Popular Diets
A Complete Parkinson’s Diet Guide
By PFCA Admin. Published by Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area, August 4, 2021
This short blog post offers tips and foods you should consider including in your diet if you have Parkinson’s. Also presented are foods and fad diets to avoid and those to be skeptical of. The information is presented in clear, succinct, nonambiguous terms.
Effects of the MIND and Mediterranean Diets on Parkinson’s Disease
By American Parkinson Disease Association, May 4, 2021
The results of a recent study that appears to show strict adherance to the Mediterranean diet or the MIND diet may defer the onset of PD symptoms by 17.4 years. What these diets entail, drawbacks of the study, and some links to other blog posts about nutrition and PD are also included.
Food, Water, & Supplements: Does Nutrition Play a Role in PD Symptoms or Progression?
By Parkinson’s Foundation, March 17, 2020
In this one-hour webinar, Dr. Laurie Mischley describes diets associated with the risk of developing PD and evidence nutrition plays a role after diagnosis. The risks and benefits of popular diets are reviewed as well as obstacles to eating (loss of smell, lack of appetite, constipation, etc.). Convenient, cost-effective, healthy dietary suggestions are provided. Calorie restriction, intermittent fasting, and the role of dietary supplements are discussed.
Diet's Effect On Symptoms
Diet and Nutrition
Published by The Michael J. Fox Foundation
This short web page answers a few questions about diet and Parkinson’s disease including dietary changes to ease Parkinson’s symptoms, how antioxidants help everyone and what foods contain a lot of them, and fava beans contain levodopa, but concentration and availability is likely minimal.
Eating Well With Parkinson’s Disease
By The Michael J. Fox Foundation, January 16, 2020
In this one-hour webinar a panel of experts discusses what we know about how diet impacts Parkinson’s symptoms and medication effectiveness as well as where indulgences like wine, coffee, travel and celebrations fit into a healthy diet. Questions from listeners are answered.
Nutrition and Parkinson’s Disease
By American Parkinson Disease Association, September 20, 2024
In this episode of the popular webinar series "Dr. Gilbert Hosts," Rebecca Gilbert, MD, PhD, talks with Jessica Schroeder, RDN, about the role of nutrition in your PD treatment plan, and which foods can help which PD symptoms and answered listener questions.
Nutrition for Parkinson's Disease
By Parkinson’s Foundation, March 17, 2025
In this one-hour webinar, functional nutritionist and health coach Carolee Horner explores the connection between nutrition and Parkinson’s, covering how diet influences brain health, gut function, and overall well-being. She discusses the impact of food on the body’s systems, the role of protein in medication effectiveness, and how to use nutrition as a tool to enhance quality of life.
Weight Gain And Loss
Nutrition and Parkinson’s Disease
By Brian Grant Foundation, 2022
In this one-hour webinar, movement disorders specialist Delaram Safarpour, MD, explains that reducing inflammation can reduce PD symptoms, and how to take your medications with respect to diet, maximizing medication effectiveness. She also talks about weight gain and loss, causes of swallowing issues and how to eat safely. She provides general rules for what to eat and what to avoid, (and why), including hydration and constipation strategies. Lastly, there is a Q&A.
Relationship Between Parkinson’s and Weight Loss
Published by American Parkinson Disease Association
Many people with PD find themselves wanting to gain weight in order to counteract seemingly unexplained weight loss. This article discusses this symptom, the potential reasons behind it, and ways to address it.
Supplements
Diet & Nutrition in Parkinson's
By Parkinson Society British Columbia, November 2020
In this excellent 49-minute talk, Dr. Laura Mischley shares what she's learned in her research on the habits of people with Parkinson's and the trajectory of their disease progression and dementia. She makes specific diet (including supplements and medications), exercise, sleep, social health, and light therapy recommendations.
What we know about avoiding particular foods & supplements for Parkinson’s
By Rebecca Gilbert, MD, Phd. Published by American Parkinson Disease Association, April 22, 2019
In this three-part series, Dr. Gilbert addresses media claims about particular foods or supplements to avoid for PD, particular foods or supplements to take for PD, and specific diets to follow.
- Part One: What we know and don’t know about avoiding particular foods/supplements
- Part Two: What we know and don't know about taking particular foods/supplements
- Part Three: What we know and don’t know about adhering to particular diets
Recipe Books
Cook Well, Stay Well with Parkinson’s Disease: Super Foods for Super People
By Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD. Published by Five Star Living, Inc., 2003, 211 pages
This book, written by a registered dietician and PD professional, features popular recipes, that are rich in the nutrients most needed by those living with PD.
Available through the provided link to Amazon, from any bookstore, or check your local library.
Eat Well, Stay Well with Parkinson’s Disease: A Nutrition Handbook for People with Parkinson’s
By Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD. Published by Five Star Living, Inc., 1998, 156 pages
This book, written by a registered dietician and PD professional, includes recipes and menus specific to the needs of those with PD - especially those who may be working to coordinate meals with medication timing, nausea, constipation, weight loss, protein timing and more.
Available through the provided link to Amazon, from any bookstore, or check your local library.
The Simple Parkinson's Disease Cookbook
By Jennifer E. Phillips, RD. Independently published, July 12, 2025, 306 pages
Your kitchen is your most powerful pharmacy. This book contains meal plans appropriate from early diagnosis through advanced care with more than 225 recipes optimized for medication absorption (protein timing) and how to adapt any recipe to accommodate swallowing issues without sacrificing nutrition or flavor. Also includes meal prep techniques for PD caregivers that save time and a brain-boosting ingredient guide of foods that protect neurons and slow progression.
Available through the provided link to Amazon.
En español
La nutrición y la enfermedad de Parkinson: ¿Qué es lo que más importa?
Publicado por Parkinson's Foundation, 2019
Los desafíos nutricionales que enfrentan las personas con EP son complejos y diversos, y muchos de ellos no tienen respuestas claras. Esta hoja informativa de tres páginas le explica lo más importante en cuanto a la EP y la nutrición.
Nutrir el bienestar: Cómo aprovechar los alimentos como medicina contra el Parkinson
Publicado por Parkinson's Foundation, May 8, 2025
Este artículo se basa en una Charla en Línea con Expertos (Expert Briefings Webinars) de la Parkinson's Foundation sobre la conexión entre la nutrición y el Parkinson, presentado por la nutricionista funcional y entrenadora de salud Carolee Horner, con maestría en Ciencias y Coach de salud y bienestar certificada por la Junta Nacional.
Last updated September 2025 by Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach.