What are the 4 levels of the dysphagia diet?

The levels are:
  • Level 1. These are foods that are pureed or smooth, like pudding. They need no chewing. …
  • Level 2. These are moist foods that need some chewing. …
  • Level 3. This includes soft-solid foods that need more chewing. …
  • Level 4. This level includes all foods.

What is on a dysphagia diet?

On a dysphagia soft diet you may eat foods that are soft and moist. Add broth, melted butter or soft margarine, gravy, sauces, milk, or juice to your foods for extra moisture. Foods that are not soft or moist enough may need to be diced, minced, finely shaved, or mashed.

What is a Level 3 liquid?

Level 3 – Moderately Thick drinks may be used if your tongue control is not good enough to manage Mildly Thick, Slightly Thick or Thin drinks. Moderately Thick drinks allows more time for the tongue to “hold and move” the drink. These drinks are best taken from a cup or using a spoon.

Can you eat watermelon with dysphagia?

Cooked, boiled, baked, or mashed potatoes. Cooked, tender vegetables. Shredded lettuce. Soft, peeled fresh fruits such as peaches, nectarines, kiwi, mangoes, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, or watermelon.

What is a dysphagia 2 diet?

Each level is based on how serious a person’s dysphagia is. A level 2 diet is the intermediate level. People on this diet should eat moist and soft-textured foods that are easy to chew. They can also eat pureed, pudding-like foods. They should avoid foods with coarse textures.

What is a Level 4 diet?

General description: Food has been puréed or has a purée texture. It does not require chewing. It is a thick purée that holds its shape on a plate or when scooped.

Is ice cream good for dysphagia?

suitable for dysphagia. Sadly, people with dysphagia (swallowing problems) who require thickened fluids in order to help them swallow more safely, are not allowed to have ice cream. … This is because ice cream melts in the mouth and turns into an unthickened liquid which can increase the risk of aspiration.

Are bananas good for dysphagia?

If you are on a level 1 dysphagia diet, there are certain foods you can and can’t eat. The following are some of the permitted foods: Pureed breads (also called “pre-gelled” breads) … Pureed fruits and well-mashed bananas.

What can I drink with dysphagia?

It helps to prevent aspiration. On a dysphagia diet, only certain kinds of liquids are safe to drink.
…
Types of liquids in a dysphagia diet
  • Thin. These are watery liquids such as juice, tea, milk, soda, pint, and broth.
  • Nectar-like. …
  • Honey-like. …
  • Spoon-thick.

Can you eat pizza with dysphagia?

We have found that almost all foods can be modified so that your ‘normal’ diet can be continued. Roast beef, fish and chips, curries, fajitas, spaghetti, pizza… All of these, and more, can be created at any texture.

Can I eat pasta with dysphagia?

Pasta and pasta dishes such as spaghetti and macaroni and cheese are allowed on mechanical soft diets. Meats in the pasta sauce should be chopped or ground. … Avoid lettuce and other raw vegetables, tough meats, and crumbly breads.

Does dysphagia go away?

Dysphagia is a another medical name for difficulty swallowing. This symptom isn’t always indicative of a medical condition. In fact, this condition may be temporary and go away on its own.

Can I eat cheese with dysphagia?

Milk, yogurt, cheese:

Cheddar cheese if grated and melted AVOID: yogurt with seeds, nuts, muesli or hard pieces of fruit, hard cheese such as cheddar.

Can people with dysphagia eat cheese?

High risk foods to avoid with dysphagia:

Foods with a fibrous or ‘stringy’ texture – e.g. celery, green beans, melted cheese or pineapple. Fruit or vegetables with thick skins, seeds or pips – e.g. baked beans, peas, grapes and tomatoes. Crunchy and crumbly items such as toasts, biscuits, crackers, crisps, pie crusts.

What helps food go down the esophagus?

A few big sips of water may help you wash down the food stuck in your esophagus. Normally, your saliva provides enough lubrication to help food slide easily down the esophagus. If your food wasn’t chewed properly, it may be too dry. Repeated sips of water may moisten the stuck food, making it go down more easily.

Are mashed potatoes good for dysphagia?

Pureeing meals:

You can buy or prepare meals made with soft and well-cooked foods that can be pureed at home. … Some very soft foods like ripe bananas, well cooked potatoes and avocado can be mashed with a fork or masher until smooth. A small amount of liquid may be added to make the food smooth and moist.

Can you eat chicken with dysphagia?

Some foods, such as meat, poultry, or fruit need to be diced to be a safe texture. Other foods such as canned salmon need to be mashed to be a safe texture. Foods that need to be diced should be less than 1 cm (½ inch). Foods can be chopped or mashed with a knife, pastry blender, potato masher, or fork.

What are 4 complications of dysphagia?

Complications
  • Malnutrition, weight loss and dehydration. Dysphagia can make it difficult to take in enough nourishment and fluids.
  • Aspiration pneumonia. Food or liquid entering the airway during attempts to swallow can cause aspiration pneumonia as a result of the food introducing bacteria into the lungs.
  • Choking.

Can you eat pudding with dysphagia?

A dysphagia diet can help prevent aspiration. The foods you eat can affect your ability to swallow. … People on this diet should eat only pureed, pudding-like foods. They should avoid foods with coarse textures.

What foods thicken dysphagia?

If liquids are too thin, add one of the following common thickeners to get your liquid nectar-thick.
  1. Banana flakes.
  2. Cooked cereals (like cream of wheat or cream of rice)
  3. Cornstarch.
  4. Custard mix.
  5. Gravy.
  6. Instant potato flakes.