Parkinson’s Disease Cookbooks

I was recently reading through comments on a Parkinson’s forum when I came across an idea. Someone wanted to know whether there are cookbooks that are specifically designed for those with Parkinson’s.

Recipes to target the disease

Ever since my Dad was diagnosed with the disease in 2013, I’ve always been curious about Parkinson’s relationship with nutrition, the gut microbiome, and food. But I’d never thought about looking for a cookbook that could help to target the disease.

It turns out that there are a number of cookbooks that have been published with people with Parkinson's in mind. And the following cookbook picks may be just what we need to give my dad the best chances against this horrible disease.

Difficulty swallowing

Easy-to-Swallow, Easy-to-Chew: Over 150 Tasty and Nutritious Recipes for People Who Have Difficulty Swallowing
By JoAnne Robbins, Donna L. Weihofen, Paula A. Sullivan

As the name of this book suggests, Easy-to-Swallow, Easy-to-Chew is packed full of recipes that are intended to simplify the meal process. While it isn’t written specifically for people with Parkinson’s (PWP), it does address swallowing, which is a common issue for those who struggle with the disease.

With the help of this cookbook, it’s possible to add swallow-friendly recipes to your regimen. And you don’t have to trade delicious meals for bland ones in order to accomplish this goal. This book discusses the difficulties with swallowing, ways to do so safely, and it even provides recipes to meals like Sherried Beef Sirloin Tips, Noodles Romanoff, and Oriental Shrimp Dip.

Since people with Parkinson’s commonly report difficulties with swallowing, finding recipes that cater towards simple consumption may provide a good solution. My dad has admitted to worrying about choking before, and I think that finding tasty meals that are easier to chew and swallow may help to alleviate stress for both of us.

Nutritional deficiencies

Cook Well, Stay Well with Parkinson’s Disease – Super Foods for Super People with Parkinson’s
By R.D. Kathrynne Holden, M.S.

In Cook Well, Stay Well with Parkinson’s Disease, Holden, who is a registered dietitian, discusses nutritional changes that we can make to accommodate Parkinson’s disease. The recipes that she chooses are designed to target nutritional deficiencies that people with Parkinson’s may have.

Not only does this book offer a tremendous amount of insight into nutrition for PWP, but it also provides readers with recipes that help them to target wholesome nutrition. Some of the recipes in this book contain canned ingredients, but it’s entirely possible to substitute them for whole and fresh options.

Exploring all options

While my dad and I don’t expect to be able to reverse the course of Parkinson’s with the help of food, we do believe that wholesome nutrition contributes to all-around health. And health allows your body to combat whatever challenges it’s facing more effectively.

Additionally, since Parkinson’s disease involves a decrease in dopamine levels, it may be possible to enhance those levels with the help of natural components like food.

I’m not sure whether or not changes to my dad’s nutrition will make a substantial difference in his life. But, at this time, we’re interested in exploring the possibility that it will.