We all need to eat to stay alive and healthy. In truth, though, mealtimes are usually about far more than simple nourishment. They’re often social events, such as family gatherings, outings with friends, and lunches with coworkers. Even everyday dinners with loved ones can be special occasions. That being said, for people who live with dysphagia, meals can be stressful and even dangerous rather than satisfying and enjoyable.
When foods and fluids move too quickly from the mouth through the esophagus, they can cause coughing, choking, and aspiration. Those issues can lead to even more serious problems. With the right strategies, though, meals can be safe and enjoyable again. One of the most effective ways to bring the joy back to mealtime is by using thickening agents like SimplyThick for thickening your meal.
Why Thickening Is Important
First, you may be wondering why thickening thin liquids is important. As mentioned, when someone suffers from dysphagia, liquids like broths, juices, water, and coffee are often difficult to control in the mouth and esophagus. They move more quickly than solids and thicker foods. As such, they can enter the airway rather than moving directly to the stomach the way they should.
Adding thickeners makes liquids easier to manage. It makes them flow more slowly, which gives you time to control when and how you swallow them. Thickeners also help them to flow more smoothly along the esophagus so they’re less likely to slip into the airway.
Choosing the Right Consistency for Foods and Beverages
Liquids can fall into different categories from thin to slightly thick to very thick. Which consistency is right depends on several factors, including the type of swallowing difficulty you’re dealing with and its cause. A professional evaluation will help determine the best consistency for you.
Getting the textures of foods and beverages just right is essential. If a drink isn’t thickened enough, you may still be unable to control it. If it’s too thick, you may choke on it, or its texture may be altogether unappealing to you. Using a quality thickening agent makes it easier to achieve the right thickness and consistent results. Still, you may need to experiment with thickeners a bit to find a consistency that meshes with your doctor’s recommendations and appeals to your tastes.
Keeping Meals Nutritious
It’s important to understand that thickening agents don’t alter the nutritional values of foods and beverages. In fact, for people who suffer from dysphagia, they may make it easier to get their right balance of nutrients because they help make a broader variety of options safer and easier to control. They encourage dysphagia sufferers to embrace different foods rather than avoid them as well.
When you’re choosing your meals, be sure to select a variety of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and carbohydrates to get nutrients you need. In addition to keeping texture and consistency in mind, be sure to focus on seasonings to make foods more flavorful. Hydration is equally important. Use thickening agents to make water, tea, and other beverages easier to control and safer for you to consume.
Managing Dysphagia With Thickening Agents
Dysphagia can take much of the joy out of mealtime, but there are ways to bring it back. Thickening agents are among them. They can help make drinking beverages and eating certain types of foods safer and more enjoyable. Finding the right consistency for you may take a bit of trial and error. Getting used to thickened liquids may take time as well. Still, thickening agents can make liquids easier to manage and help ensure you get the nutrients and hydration you need to stay healthy.
