Eating and drinking

For more information, visit the Parkinson’s UK website (last updated October 2020).

Specialist items can help some people who find it difficult to drink or prepare and eat meals:

• Special cutlery: if you have reduced grip, weakness or tremor, it can be difficult to handle cutlery. Several specially designed styles are available including extra-large or curved-handled cutlery, special handles, self-levelling spoons and an all-in-one knife and fork or fork and spoon
• Food preparation knives: if you have difficulty gripping things, a curved-handled or rocking action knife can be used for chopping food. The handle is D or L-shaped to help give you more control
• Plate guards: clip onto the plate and provide an upright ring around it to stop food from falling off the edge
• Insulated dishes or mugs: can keep your food and drink hot or cold for longer
• Non-slip mats: can be placed under plates or bowls to stop them moving around
• Sip or nosey cups: can help stop liquids spilling
• Kettle tippers: help you to pour boiling water out of the kettle without lifting it up
• Boiling water dispensers or built-in taps: used for dispensing boiling water without a kettle or saucepan. They allow you to fill a cup or mug with a pre-measured, cup-sized amount of boiling water. Built-in hot water taps can be used for dispensing larger quantities but can be expensive and need to be connected to a water supply