Why Hasn’t Anyone Eaten the Grapes? Exploring Food Drainers, Chargers, and Everyday Wins with Parkinson’s

In other areas of my work, the idea of energy chargers and drainers has been coming up over and over. Originally presented as a business concept, it challenges you to look at all the activities you do in your job: what percentage of time you spend on each, whether that activity drains you or charges you up, and what impact it has. The results can be eye-opening, sometimes even a little disturbing, when you realize just how much time is spent on things that leave you feeling depleted, and how little on what truly energizes you.

But this exercise isn’t just for business. I use it with clients all the time, in all areas of life. We start by gaining awareness: where are you now? What’s draining you? What’s charging you up? Then, we imagine what a better balance could look like and map out a plan to get there. The process is the same whether we’re talking about work, relationships, or, as my mind so often turns to, food.

Which foods in your life drain you? Which charge you up? And perhaps even more importantly, what about the activities surrounding food? For many of my clients, meal planning, prepping, and cooking are some of the biggest energy drainers. Over the past few months, I’ve worked with several people who decided to outsource these tasks and try meal home delivery. The change was remarkable. Not only did they feel lighter and less overwhelmed, but many noticed that when they did cook, they made better choices-because they weren’t already exhausted from the daily grind. And, as a bonus, they found they were saving money by not eating out every day.

Of course, not every solution has to be big or expensive. Sometimes, it’s the smallest tweaks that make the biggest difference. Here’s a quirky drainer from my own household: baby carrots left in the bag or grapes still on the vine. For some reason, if they stay in their packaging, no one touches them. But if I take the grapes off the vine and wash them, or put carrots in a bowl, suddenly everyone is snacking and grazing. The bags themselves are a barrier, an odd, but very real, obstacle that drains our energy and leads to food waste. The simple act of prepping these snacks ahead of time turns them into chargers for me and the kids.

And then, of course, there’s the food itself. Many clients have shared that when they shift toward more energy-charging foods, like vegetables, legumes, and nuts, they notice real improvements in symptoms and overall quality of life. Sometimes, when old habits creep back in and draining foods sneak onto the plate, the difference is almost immediate. Symptoms return, energy dips, and the drain on the body becomes obvious. It’s a powerful reminder that food really can be medicine-or, sometimes, the opposite.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed and want to change everything at once. But I’ve seen time and again that trying to overhaul too many things at once can become a drainer all its own. The most lasting change comes from picking just one thing, one drainer to address, or one charger to add, and working on that. Maybe it’s buying pre-prepped produce, cooking in batches and freezing meals, or, like in my own house, having a go-to meal that’s always easy and satisfying (for us, it’s bacon and eggs with raw fruits and/or veggies). Or maybe it’s simply giving yourself permission to eat vegetables raw if cooking feels like too much.

So here’s my invitation: take a quiet moment to reflect on your own “drainers and chargers” when it comes to food and all the activities around it. What leaves you feeling spent? What brings a spark of energy or joy-even if it’s small? And if something is a true drainer, is there a way to offload it, share it, or make it just a little bit easier?

You don’t have to do it all at once. Sometimes, just noticing is the first step. And if you feel like sharing, I’d love to hear what you discover - what drains you, what charges you, and how you’re finding ways to tip the balance, even a little.

Drop your thoughts in the comments. Your story might be just what someone else needs to hear today.

Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for personalized medical advice. Please consult your healthcare team before making changes to your diet or lifestyle.