Category: Nutrition

This healthy salad has so many ingredients on the “yes” list for People with Parkinson’s. It is especially healthy because it’s derived from a Blue Zone. Blue Zones are places where the healthiest people in the world live (people with great mental and physical health and the location has record numbers of people who live past 100 years old). A lot of it has to do with the food they eat. Anytime you have bright-colored food with a little sweet and savory, you have a winner. This dish can be enjoyed anytime throughout the year.

This quinoa salad is a meal in one bowl. Serve it for lunch or dinner.

Continue reading “Healthy Parkinson’s Quinoa Salad with Sweet Potatoes and Pears”

I’m always looking for healthy snacks that I can carry with me and eat throughout the day. I have been making healthy muffins for breakfast for a while, but decided that I wanted to try making a more Parkinson’s focused version. I did this by adding more healthy fiber and aromatics, and decreasing the amount of work and prep-time required.

Yams are a favorite of mine. They’re filled with a ton of anti-oxidants, Vitamin A, B5, B6, Thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, carotenoids and high in fiber. By adding in flaxseeds, and the great aromatics like cinnamon, ginger and turmeric, this recipe is now perfect for people with Parkinson’s disease who are working with their diets to decrease inflammation, help with digestion, and increase vitamins that will support their brain and nervous system. Try these hardy muffins as an add-on to your breakfast, or as a mid-day snack. I loved the batter because it smelled and tasted like pumpkin pie!

Continue reading “Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Oxidant, High Fiber Breakfast Muffins for People with Parkinson’s Disease”

Fall is here with all of its wonderful bright colors and flavors. Quinoa is one of only a few plant foods that are considered a complete protein. It contains all nine essential amino acids – these are the amino acids that our bodies cannot produce on its own, so it needs to be consumed. It’s high in antioxidants, fiber, and is naturally gluten-free. You can use it in salads or as an alternative to breakfast cereal. This hearty autumn quinoa salad has beautiful fall colors and flavors. Feel free to substitute other fall vegetables or squash into this recipe. And if you need to save time, be sure to cook the quinoa in advance. Continue reading “Autumn Quinoa Salad”

Many of my students with Parkinson’s disease and their families are avid gardeners. I love this because organically-grown fresh vegetables and fruits are best for people with PD, and especially since pesticides are considered links to cell damage.

I was recently gifted some beautiful tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions. I chopped them up and added some of my favorite healthy fats to it (avocado and grapeseed oil). I love cilantro, but not everyone does. Feel free to substitute the cilantro with dill or another herb that you enjoy. Continue reading “Fresh Garden Salad for People with Parkinson’s”