Getting the right balance

A balanced diet will contain a wide variety of foods from the various food groups below. Ideally you should choose an item from each food group for each meal throughout the day as you will then obtain all the nutrients required by the body to keep it healthy, although for some this may not be possible (see Diet and Parkinson’s medications).

• maintaining energy intake at 25-30 kilocalories per kilogram of body weight, with additional calories if dyskinesia is  present
• a carbohydrate to protein proportion of at least 4-5:1
• a recommended daily protein allowance of 0.8g/kg of body weight.

Fluids

It is very important to drink plenty of fluids, preferably eight to 10 cups daily - water, juices, tea, coffee, milk etc. Alcohol may be included in moderation and can be beneficial if it helps you to keep up your social life - your doctor will advise you if you need to avoid alcohol. If you have problems with your bladder or bedwetting it may be advisable to drink mainly in the morning and early part of the day. You may also find that carbonated or fizzy drinks make you feel bloated so may be best avoided. If dry mouth is a problem then frequent sips of water or using an oral rinse or spray can help. Sucking a sweet or chewing gum can also stimulate the production of saliva and so help alleviate dry mouth.

There are a variety of vitamins and minerals contained in food and by eating a variety of foods from the various groups above you should be getting all the vitamins and minerals your body needs. If you are deficient in any particular vitamin or mineral it is generally better to increase your intake of foods containing the particular nutrient rather than a supplement but for some a supplement may be the only answer, particularly if your body does not absorb nutrients well. It is best to speak to your doctor or ask to be referred to a dietician if you have any concerns.

Osteoporosis, or brittle bones, is particularly important to avoid as those with Parkinson's are more likely to fall, so a good intake of calcium and vitamin D should be maintained to help prevent breaks or fractures in bones.

Vitamins A, D, E and K tend to be found in milk and dairy food and are fat-soluble, which means that they remain in the body for some weeks before being used or expelled.

Vitamins B (complex) and C are mostly found in citrus fruit and green, leafy vegetables and need to be consumed daily as they are water-soluble and therefore do not remain in the body for any period of time.

Minerals are present in many foods although often only in very small, or trace, quantities. Key minerals include calcium, chloride, chromium, fluoride, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, sodium, sulphur and zinc.