eating with parkinsons

[sjmorris31]

hi everyone. you've all been amazing at giving advice. I'm really starting to learn more about parkinsons.

my uncle seems to find eating stressful and tiring. he can't eat big meals anymore.

he eats all the time but little.

he eats lots of fruit soups snacks but can't handle a big dinner only very small. is this something normal? he struggles with bread but the parkinsons nurse said thats normal for some patients.

[Thal]

fruit soup snacks look healthy maybe keep an all in one shake handy so that most of required nutrients are covered

[1LittleWillow]

I've struggled with weight loss since my diagnosis in 2018. I was about 120 lbs. at that time, and I'm 104 now (5 feet 2 inches tall). The main issue for me was loss of sense of smell and taste which made eating an unrewarding chore, but my appetite has also decreased dramatically. I can rarely finish an average-sized meal. It's frustrating. My husband is constantly worrying about my weight, which just adds stress. Trying to juggle the timing of protein foods and taking mucuna (I take that instead of Sinemet) 2-3 times per day adds another challenge, so I often end up eating tiny snacks instead of actual meals.

[pakehamack in reply to 1LittleWillow]

Hey 1L'il Willow! Thanx first off for reminding me of the amazing message McCartney sings about in his music vid of the same name. I needed to hear his message today...I had a friend remind me just yesterday that amidst all that " life can throw at us", in the darkest hours we need never to close the door on beauty, goodness and love. I must keep reminding myself of this home-grown truth. And to live in the moment seems the best way to keep that door open, so-to-speak.

I can appreciate your partner is likely worried for your health. You snack instead of eat huge meals. You know what your body needs. I'm convinced. Listen to you inner voice. It knows best. Cheers, Alan

[1LittleWillow in reply to pakehamack]

Thanks, Alan. Always nice to find another Macca/Beatles fan. That song is a favorite of mine, and not many people know it. 😊

This post was from a year ago, and my issues really haven't changed much since then. I still struggle with timing food vs. mucuna. Mucuna really only works well for me when I've eaten nothing at all, so I've pretty much gotten in the habit of having tiny snacks 2-3 times/day and then eating one substantial meal around 7 PM when I'm done with my mucuna for the day. I've managed to put on 3-4 pounds over the last year, so it seems to be a sustainable way of eating.