Although dysphagia can be present in a wide range of ages, it is most common at the beginning and end of life, mostly affecting the infant and elderly population. Dysphagia is closely associated with malnutrition, dehydration, upper respiratory infection, and increased risk of a sentinel event. Use the fork test to decide if thickener needs to be added to your drink.The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiativeīy Deirdre Carlson, RD and Anita Klimanis, RD, LDNĬurrent estimates suggest that dysphagia, a swallowing disorder, affects approximately 8 percent of the world’s population.
Be careful when using some powered thickeners.If the liquid is too thick, add more liquid until it is the needed thickness level.
If you are using powdered thickeners, add more thickener if the liquid is too thin.Check the product’s food label to see if xanthan gum is a listed ingredient. Thicken water to the needed thickness level, and freeze it in ice cube trays. Thickeners with xanthum gum, such as ThickenUp and Simply Thick can be used to make ice cubes. Melted ice can change the thickness of the liquid. It's more complicated using one of these thickeners, since you have to experiment to get the desired thickness. Soup broths and other flavored liquids can be thickened with household ingredients, such as: Pudding thick liquids, the thickness of pudding, remain on a fork and hold together well.Honey thick liquids, the thickness of honey, coat a fork and slowly sink through the prongs.Nectar thick liquids, such as maple syrup or tomato juice, coat a fork and quickly sink through the prongs.Thin liquids, such as water, coffee, or tea, run quickly through the prongs of a fork and leave little or no coating.Your health care team may have suggested a recommended thickness for adjusting thin liquids.
The change in consistency, though, may take some getting used to. Most drinks can be thickened without changing the taste.