Help for Dysphagia sufferers: soft meals for people with swallowing or chewing difficulties
Do you have problems swallowing certain food or liquids? The medical term for this is Dysphagia.
Signs of Dysphagia are:
- pain when swallowing
- a feeling that food is stuck in your chest or throat
- bringing food back up, including through the nose
- choking or coughing whilst drinking or eating
- persistent drooling of saliva
- unexpected weight loss
Causes of Swallowing Problems.
There are many conditions that can cause swallowing problems. Some medications can cause dry mouth, which makes it hard to chew and swallow. Dysphagia can also be caused by neurological damage, an obstruction or a muscular condition.
Please see our Guide to Dysphagia for full information.
You should be aware that Dysphagia isn’t always an indication of a medical condition. The good news is that it may be temporary and disappear on its own.
If you are struggling to enjoy your food and get the correct nutrition here are some tips:
Pureed food
Preparing your own pureed food is easy to do and the most important tool will be a household blender or food processor, including those which are handheld. Simply cut larger pieces of food into smaller pieces, then blend or food process until they are a smooth consistency with no lumps. It might help to add liquids such as water, milk, stock, gravy or juices to get the correct thickness.
Not all foods are ideal for pureeing however. The following foods are especially good though:
- Cooked fish, chicken and meat
- Soft dairy products such as yoghurt and cream cheese
- Cooked vegetables
- Well-cooked carbohydrate foods such as potatoes, rice and pasta
- Tinned (softened) fruits
- Ripe bananas and avocados
Take a look at the following article for recipe ideas:
https://www.multiculturalcaregiving.net/soft-foods-for-seniors/
