Category: Nutrition

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!

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Many of my fighters and dancers are choosing to drink non-alcoholic beverages. People with Parkinson’s often find that alcohol reduces their Levodopa’s effectiveness, and can make their Parkinson’s symptoms worse.

If you find that you’re in the mood for a cocktail this holiday season, you should give this non-alcoholic Cranberry Sparkler at try. It is easy to make, very festive looking, and tastes great! It also contains berries (a super food), which are full of antioxidants and are great “brain-food”. So drink up and enjoy!

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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”

If you are on the ketogenic diet (a high fat, low carb eating plan) for your Parkinson’s, you probably know about ghee. Ghee is like clarified butter, and it is considered a healthy fat alongside olive oil and coconut oil. Ghee is full of fat-soluble vitamins and healthy fats, and the benefits range from promoting bone health to great anti-inflammatory properties. It has been used for thousands of years and a staple in Ayurvedic healing practices.

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