Tweak Modified Texture Diets to Add Flavor & Taste

Adjust Taste, Temperature & Texture to Relish Foods

Difficulty swallowing is called as dysphagia. People with this problem take more time and effort to move food (solids or liquids) from their mouth to the stomach. For some people, swallowing becomes impossible. It is common in older adults and babies and needs dietary changes to enable these individuals to feel comfortable while swallowing any food.

Eating is a multisensory experience. Presentation of the food matters greatly. It affects how something tastes and how much someone eats. People with dysphagia follow modified-texture diets and the food preparations should be such that even these people would be able to enjoy meals with their loved ones.

Certain individuals with dysphagia can eat some solid foods while others may feel at ease with soft or pureed foods only. This can affect the total nutrient quotient, appetite and overall dining experience of these people. For someone having a pureed meal, he/she may feel ill at ease to dine along with others at the table. This can lead to decreased food intake, less appetite and dining isolation.

There is nothing to worry about as modified texture diets are not boring and can be creatively modified to suit the individual’s need. The main ideology proposed for preparing food for a dysphagia patient - utmost care for the flavor of food and the ingredients used to get the right texture of the food prepared.

Few Tricks and Tips to Enhance Food Flavor

1.  Season the food with herbs and spices.
2.  Instead of using gel and powder thickeners use white bread to puree mixtures.
3.  Preserve the food’s flavor using broth or milk.
4. Chop the cooked meat into pieces before throwing in the blender to puree foods like chicken breasts evenly.
5. Once you get the knack of adjusting the taste, temperature and texture of foods, your mouth automatically starts relishing what is being fed.
6. Eat hot and cold things together. Prepare a pitcher of freshly squeezed lemon juice and drink it along with your mashed potatoes. Even a sip of water between mouthfuls of food is helpful.
7. Cut up solid foods into bite-sized pieces for convenience. Even finger foods need further size reduction to avoid choking.
8. To balance your nutritional requirements with dysphagia, it is better to seek the help of a registered dietitian nutritionist at www.firsteatright.com. They can help to improve pureed foods, suggest creative recipes and focus on flavor to help you eat good foods that suit your requirements.