Food has the potential to influence the absorption of many medications.
For some people with Parkinson’s, food groups (carbohydrates, proteins) should be distributed equally throughout the day,
but for others it may be helpful for each type of food to be split into
different meals during the day, increasing the consumption of carbohydrates in
every meal and restricting protein intake to the evening meal alone. Each
individual’s needs and response to protein intake and therapy efficacy differ
so it is important to talk to your doctor or an experienced dietitian before
making any changes.
Three main meals and two snacks should be timed at set intervals to maximise the effectiveness
of prescribed medication, with the following proportions of total daily calories:
- Breakfast 20%;
- Lunch and dinner 35% each;
- Snacks 5% each.
Breakfast could be coffee with a slice of bread, preferably wholemeal, with jam or
honey.
Snacks could be based on fruit or complex carbohydrates such as rusks or
crackers.
Lunch could consist of a starter of pasta or rice or cereals such as
spelt, barley or oats with no added protein (meat, fish, eggs, cheese or
pulses), accompanied by a side dish of cooked and/or raw vegetables, extra
virgin olive oil and fruit.
Dinner could consist of protein (meat, fish, eggs, pulses or cheese),
accompanied by vegetables, fruit and bread or potatoes or pasta and pulse
starters.
Protein intake should not exceed 0.8 g per kilo of ideal weight. For
some people this should be restricted to the evening meal alone although this
will mean that night-time movement is limited.
These suggestions are guidelines only. You should consult with your doctor before changing your diet, particularly with regards to the effects of diet on medication.