Diet Suggestions for Parkinson's Disease Patients

According to Dr. Andrew Weil, inflammation is a primary cause of many serious disorders like Parkinson's disease. Eating a diet rich in foods with anti-inflammatory properties is a vital tool for managing this condition. It is important to eat a variety of foods from different groups to make sure you are getting the gamut of beneficial nutrients they provide. All the foods listed below fight inflammation.

Fruits and Vegetables

• Eat at least four to five servings a day of vegetables and aim for a variety of colors. Each color contains unique substances that provide different health benefits. A serving size is equal to 2 cups of salad greens or 1/2 cup of vegetables.

  Eat three to four servings of fruit daily and, again, pick from a variety of colors. A serving of fruit equals one medium size piece of fruit, one-half cup of chopped fruit, or 1/4 cup of dried fruit. These foods are also rich in antioxidants, which help protect the body against harmful substances.

Healthy Protein Sources

• Do your best to limit the amount of animal products in your diet to once or twice a week. They contain many inflammatory compounds. Acceptable sources include natural cheeses like Swiss, Jarlsberg and Parmesan, low fat yogurt, omega-3 enriched eggs, skinless poultry and grass-fed lean meats. A serving size is equal to 1 ounce of cheese, one 8 ounce serving of dairy, one egg or 3 ounces of cooked meat.

  More desirable sources of protein include whole soy foods, fish, beans and legumes. Good choices for whole soy foods include tempeh, edamame, soy nuts and soy milk. Eat one to two servings per day. A serving is equal to ½ cup of tofu or tempeh, 1 cup of soymilk, ½ cup cooked edamame or 1 ounce of soy nuts. Imitation meats made from soy and foods containing soy compounds do not provide the same benefit.

  Fish and seafood contain rich amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, one of the most powerful natural anti-inflammatory compounds. Eat two to six servings per week. A serving is 4 ounces of fish. The best choices are wild salmon, herring, sardines and black cod.

  Beans and legumes are high in fiber, folic acid, potassium and magnesium. Good sources include Anasazi, adzuki, and black beans, chickpeas, black-eyed peas and lentils. Eat one to two servings daily. A serving is equal to ½ cup cooked beans or legumes.

Whole Grains

• Whole grains take longer to digest and reduce the quick rise of blood sugar that contributes to inflammation. The best sources are brown rice, basmati rice, wild rice, buckwheat, groats, barley, quinoa and steel-cut oats. Eat three to five servings daily. A serving is equal to ½ cup cooked grains.

Healthy Fats

• The types of fats you eat play a large role in the amount of inflammation in the body. The fats listed below combat inflammation. Extra-virgin olive oil and canola oil are best for cooking. Walnuts, avocados and seeds of all kinds are rich in healthy fats. Many of the foods listed previously also contain good fats such as cold-water fish and soy. Eat five to seven servings daily. A serving is equal to 1 teaspoon of oil, two walnuts, 1 tablespoon of seeds or 1 ounce of avocado.