I just attended a lovely buffet luncheon and learned some new things about living with Parkinson’s disease. It was a terrific event, but I must remember the following going forward:
- If the plates are made of paper and they’re the least bit flimsy, grab two or three stacked together, to form one thick plate. Why? Self-explanatory if you have PD.
- If you pick up silverware at the start of the line, grab both knife and fork and hold them flat under the paper plates for additional support. Again, self-explanatory. This is crucial if the buffet table isn’t wide enough to put the plate down (see photo below. Note: this was not the buffet I attended).
- Scope out the entire buffet offerings and decide in advance what items you’ll take. Base your decision on (1) what’s healthy, and (2) what you can manage with the serving utensils. For example, don’t opt for the cold meatless lasagna that you need to slice through with a dull spatula. Don’t opt for the mashed potatoes that will stick to the serving spoon no matter how much your trembling hand knocks the spoon against the flimsy paper plate you’re holding in your other hand.
- If the only beverages are sodas (diet or regular), skip ‘em for health reasons. If there’s red wine, go back for seconds. (If you don’t drink alcohol, that’s fine….)
I have this problem often at church buffet lunches. thanks for the t ips. Too bad my church doesn’t serve w ine. It’s just a punch which is full of sugary juices..
Annother thing I have found is that you shouldn’t take things that roll around on your plate, like olives and cherry tomatoes. Even if your one hand is steady you’d be surprized by how distracted you can get with your other hand and then things roll off the plate aand you have to worry about leaving a cherry tomato on the rug or floor for someone to step on and slip. This was my experience.
Enjoyed the buffet tips….got a good chuckle . All those things have happened.
ago me.