April Is Parkinson’s Awareness Month! Try A New Diet for the Month of April
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month!
There are two diets that are suggested through studies to help slow the onset of Parkinson’s disease. These diets care called the Mediterranean Diet and the MIND Diet. You may be familiar with the Mediterranean diet, but the MIND diet is very similar. The MIND diet is a combination of the Mediterranean diet and the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet. These diets both emphasize similar principles, and studies have shown to slow the decline in a person’s cognitive ability. They promote a healthy heart and support blood flow to the brain. Ensuring your brain receives a healthy blood flow leads to positive effects on overall brain health. Research also suggests that these diets may protect neurons from cell death, one of the most harmful effects of Parkinson’s Disease. The Mediterranean diet has been studied for many years and was found to be associated with lower rates of heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and even cancer. Here are the main types of foods to include in each diet:
Mediterranean Diet:
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Whole Grains
- Legumes: Beans, Peas, Lentils
- Nuts
- Low-fat Proteins: Fish, Poultry
- Olive Oil.
MIND Diet:
- Leafy Green Vegetables: Kale, Spinach
- Berries
- Whole Grains
- Beans
- Nuts
- Low-fat Proteins: Fish, Poultry
- Olive Oil
- Wine*
Try to avoid foods such as red meat, butter, and cheese.
*A small amount of red wine daily may be a safe addition to the diets of individuals with mild Parkinson’s disease symptoms but is not recommended for those with advanced Parkinson’s disease symptoms, such as a difficulty with balance or already impaired cognitive abilities.
We have included some delicious recipes that incorporate parts of the Mediterranean diet and the MIND diet:
Greek Roasted Fish with Vegetables 🐟:
This dinner recipe includes a balanced meal of protein, starch, and vegetables. While this recipe uses delicious salmon, you can substitute this for your favorite fish. This delicious “one-pan” recipe combines the flavors of lemon, garlic, and herbs with salmon, potatoes, red peppers, kalamata olives, and tomatoes. View the full recipe from the link below.
Skillet Lemon Chicken with Potatoes & Kale 🍗:
This fresh and delicious dinner idea is not only good for you, but it only uses one skillet for easy clean up. This recipe uses the leafy green herb tarragon, which is seen often in the Mediterranean diet because it’s beneficial to heart health. If you have not tried kale yet, this would be the perfect dish to try it in.
Skillet Lemon Chicken & Potatoes with Kale Recipe | EatingWell
NOTE: We always recommend consulting with your doctor before making any changes to your diet.
For more information, visit the following websites:
MIND & Mediterranean Diets for Parkinson’s Disease | APDA (apdaparkinson.org)
8 Surprising Benefits and Uses of Tarragon (healthline.com)
