Parkinson’s PWR! Moves 4 Balance Club: Parkinson’s and Senior Nutrition: It Has Different Guidelines for the Holidays’

Vera Shury, BIG/PWR! Certified Trainer

The three plans to choose from are the Mediterranean Pyramid, Dr. Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory Pyramid, and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) plan!

The main differences are between men and women, activity level, and whether one needs to lose or gain weight. Some ways that stand out, for example, are to eat half a sweet potato, or a half to a whole small baked potato, whole grains, vegetables (especially cruciferous for epigenetics), fruit, protein, dairy, and oils. Carbs, overall, get a bad rap, but some are nutrient rich and are also fiber, so they are beneficial.

You want to watch your Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is a number based on your height and weight, which can be looked up on a chart. A professional can also provide a chart based on your BMI that tells you how many calories and supplements are required, and how much is too much, especially in regards to supplements—too much of some can be unhealthy.

Learning how to tell the right portion size is worth the effort. Three ounces of meat is the size of a deck of cards; one cup of cooked vegetables is the size of a baseball. A half of a cup of fruit, banana, rice, noodles, or ice cream is the size of a cupcake wrapper—not as large as one may think.

When you go out to eat, gauge the size of the portion and push aside the amount that is too much, and either take that home or discard it. It is better off getting recycled than on your body if they add too much weight.

Wishing you happy, healthy holidays filled with joy and basked in happiness.

Our class is Tuesday and Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at HOA1 Arts and Crafts Center Room 3, two days a week, which is really not enough. The members would benefit greatly from participating in two more sessions a week. Exercise, along with the medication for Parkinson’s, is the most effective way to delay the progression of the disease, and it helps with a better quality of life!

To check if you have that coverage in your health policy, go to www.silversneakers.com, or you can call the number on the back of your insurance card. It is not provided by Medicare.

The link for AARP United Healthcare and other insurance plans is uhcrenewactive.com/home.

Go to www.silverandfit.com for Blue Cross and other insurance plans.

The club’s vice president is Hans Von Michaelis, and he can be reached at 303-549-4480. The annual dues are $10.

We are listed in HOA1 under exercise and support. We have quarterly support and educational meetings on the third Thursday of the month from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in HOA1 Arts and Crafts Center Room 3, next to the gift shop. All are welcome! Go to www.pmdalliance.org for Parkinson’s information and support.