by Alison Fernald RD, LD, CDE
Editor’s note: This is a companion to the PD and diet article, presented as a way for patients concerned about the effect of eating proteins while taking carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet). As mentioned in the article, the two may compete for absorption and therefore reduce the effect of the drug. The general approach is to take levodopa one hour before, or two hours after meals containing protein.
-WS
Protein needs vary depending on height, weight, gender and age, but generally, 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of weight is adequate to preserve lean muscle mass. The diet below provides approximately 85 grams of protein, enough for a person weighing about 160 pounds.
7:00 a.m. Take medication – coffee or tea if desired, which have no protein unless milk is added
7:45 a.m. Breakfast of 2 eggs or ½ c. cottage cheese, or nuts if tolerated; a piece of fruit; a slice or two of whole grain toast with 2 tsp. butter or vegetable oil spread; and 6 ounces milk (cow, almond or soy). (22 g protein)
11:00 a.m. Take medication
12:00 p.m. Lunch with 1 cup of vegetables of choice, including beans if desired; 2 oz. tuna or other protein of choice; 2/3 c. brown rice, stone ground bread or quinoa (a whole grain that has extra calcium, is less refined, and has more fiber than white bread). Don’t forget to add some fat to the meal – mix tuna with olive oil mayo, or drizzle oil and vinegar on vegetables – 1/2 to 1 tablespoon is fine. (about 20 g protein)
4:00 p.m. Take medication
5:00 p.m. Meal with up to 4-5 ounces of protein: chicken, fish, beef, pork (lean) or a bean dish like chili with lots of chopped vegetables (at least 1 c.), and a salad, or sautéed onions with the protein (or any vegetable you like), and ~1 c. of whole grain/starch of choice – ex: pasta, peas and corn, brown rice, whole grain bread or roasted red skin potatoes, or a baked potato. Add a little healthy fat – cold pressed oils like grape seed, walnut and extra virgin olive oil have potential to be slightly better than the mass produced vegetable oils (we all need some fat in our diets, just avoid deep fried choices, or pre-deep fried items like tater tots and chicken nuggets). (about 35 g protein)
8:00 p.m. Snack on 1 ounce sharp cheese and/or nuts and fruit, some non-starchy vegetables – marinated cucumbers, celery and carrot sticks, or some whole grain crackers like “Hint of Salt” Triscuits or other fiber-rich cracker. (about 10 g protein)
It generally takes 3 to 4 hours for a meal, including its protein, to be completely digested. If you take a fourth dose of medication at night, you will need to time the snack accordingly, i.e. have the snack at 2:00 p.m., or put it off until 10:00 p.m., after you have taken your nighttime dose at 9:00 p.m.
