Thicken & Stabilize: Smart Food Options for Dysphagia Support

Dysphagia is a condition that causes those suffering from it to have a difficult time swallowing. It can make staying well-nourished and enjoying meals a challenge, but there are plenty of smart food options for dysphagia support. Let’s discuss a few of the most important of them.

Food Thickening Agents

Food thickening agents are one of the top resources for dysphagia support. They allow patients with swallowing disorders to consume thin beverages like coffee, tea, and juice and foods like soup without the risk of aspiration. If you need to thicken your food, be sure to find a natural thickener that meets the following criteria:

• Free from potential allergens
• Able to maintain thickness in the presence of saliva
• Does not impart unwanted taste or appearance
• Contains soluble fiber
• Low glycemic index food
• Vegan and vegetarian
• Kosher
• Gluten-free

The right thickening agent will make it easy to treat liquids so that dysphagia patients can swallow them safely without impacting the food and beverages’ taste or chemical composition.

Keep in mind that there are various stages of dysphagia and three levels of thickening. A speech therapist can help determine which is appropriate for a particular patient. Each patient will have liquids thickened to nectar, honey, or pudding consistency.

Blended Fruit and Vegetable Smoothies

On hot days, blended fruit and vegetable smoothies are excellent choices for dysphagia patients. They contain a variety of essential nutrients and taste delicious, and most do not need to be thickened if they are consumed immediately while still cold. 

One of the great things about smoothies is their versatility. You can toss in just about any type of frozen fruit and expect it to taste good, although some fruits require straining after blending. Think outside the box and include extra nutrients by adding kale, peanut butter, protein powder, Greek yogurt, and other ingredients.

Blended Soups

Blended soups are great for dysphagia patients. They can be made according to recipes without the need for much alteration, which isn’t always the case with dysphagia recipes. Creamy potato and sweet potato soups are excellent options since they are already an appropriate texture for most dysphagia patients. Blended lobster bisque is also a delicious soup alternative.

For soups that typically have thin broth, the best option is often to blend the meal to create a creamy soup. Just be sure to add thickeners as needed after blending everything together to ensure safe eating.

Specialized Dysphagia Meals

Eventually, soup and smoothies can get boring. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to make ordinary foods appropriate for dysphagia patients. For those who are new to cooking for dysphagia diets, it’s best to follow recipes at first. Some common ingredients need to be replaced to create an effective meal solution. Examples include pasta and pizza crust, which are better when made from polenta vs. wheat since it produces a better texture upon pureeing.

Once home chefs have gotten the hang of the dysphagia diet, they can start getting creative. Try making the patient’s favorite meals. If they’re not flavorful enough, add sauces or spices to liven things up.

The Importance of Meal Times

Creating a pleasant mealtime environment is also important. Try to sit down to meals with the patient and keep the surrounding environment relatively calm and quiet. The person should be able to focus on swallowing food instead of being distracted by chaotic surroundings. Many dysphagia patients also like to see the meals they will be getting before they’re blended, which can help to activate swallowing reflexes.