Diet and nutrition: Fueling the body while managing HD symptoms

Living with Huntington’s disease (HD) has taught me that food is not just about satisfying hunger. Food is energy. Food is stability. Food is comfort. And it is one of the ways I care for a body that is constantly working harder than most people realize.

When people think about HD, topics like movement, balance, mood, memory, and speech come to mind. But nutrition is deeply connected to all of those things. A body affected by HD can burn more energy because of involuntary movements, restlessness, anxiety, and the daily physical effort it takes to move through the world. Therefore, eating well isn’t about vanity or restrictions. It’s about survival, strength, and quality of life.

I’ve had to learn how to approach food differently. There are days when my appetite is strong, and others when I don’t feel like eating at all. Sometimes medication and stress affect my hunger. Sometimes fatigue makes cooking feel like too much work. And sometimes the symptoms of HD make eating more complicated. Chorea, swallowing concerns, anxiety, and low energy can all turn a simple meal into something that requires planning.

Because of that, I try to think of nutrition as support instead of pressure. I don’t believe in shaming myself over food. Nor do I believe that every meal must be perfect. I believe in doing the best I can with the energy, symptoms, and resources I have on a particular day.

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Eating safely and well

For me, the goal is to fuel my body consistently. I try to eat meals that include protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates because my body needs all three. Protein helps with strength and muscle support. Healthy fats add calories and keep me full longer. Carbohydrates give me energy, especially when my body feels depleted. I also try to stay hydrated, as dehydration can worsen fatigue, headaches, constipation, and overall discomfort.

A typical day of eating for me might include something simple but nourishing. Breakfast could be oatmeal with peanut butter, fruit, or eggs with toast and avocado. Lunch might be a turkey sandwich, soup, or a rice bowl with chicken, vegetables, and sauce. Dinner might be salmon, sweet potatoes, and greens, or pasta with meat sauce and a side salad.

Snacks matter, too. Greek yogurt, smoothies, cheese and crackers, nuts, protein bars, boiled eggs, or fruit with nut butter can help me get in extra calories without feeling overwhelmed by a large meal.

Smoothies have become one of my favorite tools. When my appetite is low or chewing feels tiring, a smoothie can feel easier. Meal planning also helps, but I keep it realistic. I’m not the type of person who wants a complicated seven-day plan with 20 ingredients and hours of prep. I need simple and flexible — food that supports me without creating more stress.

One helpful approach is having what I call “safe meals” available. These are meals I know I can make quickly or heat up easily. That might be frozen meals with added protein, rotisserie chicken, precut vegetables, canned soup, tuna packets, microwave rice, eggs, or ingredients for a quick sandwich. I also like keeping snacks nearby because waiting too long to eat can make me feel shaky, irritable, or drained.

When my appetite is low, I try to be gentle with myself. Instead of forcing a huge meal, I may eat smaller portions more often or choose softer foods. Or, I might add extra calories in simple ways, like putting olive oil on vegetables, adding cheese to eggs, using whole milk yogurt, or blending peanut butter into smoothies. Sometimes the smallest choices make the biggest difference.

Part of advocating for myself has been recognizing when I need support. A dietitian, speech therapist, neurologist, primary care provider, or occupational therapist can all play a role in helping someone with HD eat safely and well. If swallowing becomes difficult, coughing happens during meals, my weight drops unexpectedly, or eating becomes stressful, these are signs that professional guidance matters. Asking for help is not weakness; it is wisdom.

Nutrition does not cure HD, but it can help me meet my body with care. It can help me maintain energy, support my mood, protect my strength, and make daily life a little more manageable. It is one of the wellness tools I can return to again and again.

Managing HD requires so much from the body, mind, and spirit. Food is one way I remind myself that I am worthy of being supported. I don’t have to eat perfectly to care for myself well. I simply have to keep choosing nourishment, one meal, one snack, and one sip at a time.

Note: Huntington’s Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Huntington’s Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Huntington’s disease.