Managing shopping and cooking
Food shopping and cooking can sometimes feel tiring or difficult if you have Parkinson’s. Small changes or planning can often make things easier.
If you’re finding meal preparation and shopping challenging, it may help to:
- plan meals in advance and write a shopping list
- use online shopping or supermarket delivery
- sit down when preparing food if standing is tiring
- choose energy- and time-saving options such as pre-chopped vegetables, frozen fruit and vegetables, or ready meals
- cook in batches and freeze portions
- use meal kit services that deliver ingredients and recipes
- ask family, friends, or carers for help when needed.
Getting support
An occupational therapist helps people overcome challenges with everyday tasks or activities.
They can suggest practical ways to make shopping and cooking easier. This may include changing how you do tasks and using equipment that helps, such as specially designed cutlery or non-slip mats if you have muscle weakness or tremor.
You can ask your GP for a referral to occupational therapy. In some areas, you may also be able to refer yourself through your local council’s website.
Help with food costs
Some options, such as ready meals, meal kit services, or kitchen equipment, may cost more. If this is a concern, you may be able to get help with costs through benefits or local council support.
Get this information in other formats
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Our helpline
You can contact our helpline on 0808 800 0303 or email [email protected].
Our friendly advisers can give you tips on managing the day-to-day impact of Parkinson’s, and provide information about financial support.
Thank you
Thank you to the health professionals that reviewed this information:
- Kinga Topolowska, Senior Specialist Neurosciences Dietitian, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Vanessa Jones, Specialist Dietitian (Parkinson’s and CASOP), University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
- Suzanne Filon, Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Thanks also to our information review group and other people affected by Parkinson’s who provided feedback. Read more about joining our information review group.
This content will next be reviewed within 3 years of that date. If you'd like to find out more about how we put our information together, including references and the sources of evidence we use, please contact us at [email protected]