Eating and drinking

For more information, visit the Parkinson’s UK website (last updated July 2026).

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

• Specially designed cutlery: if you have reduced grip, muscle weakness or tremor, it can be difficult to handle cutlery. Several specially designed styles are available including extra-large, easy-grip handles, self-levelling spoons, cutlery which can be bent and an all-in-one knife and fork or fork and spoon
• Food preparation knives: can help you chop food if you have difficulty gripping things. The handles of these types of knives are usually made from easy-grip material and are D or L-shaped to help give you more control
• Plate guards: clip onto your plate, providing an upright ring around the edge to stop food from falling off
• Insulated dishes or mugs: can help keep your food and drink hot or cold 
• 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: let you 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