Dysphagia Diet

Dysphagia

• Modified diet consisting of foods that are easy to chew and swallow for those who have difficulty chewing and swallowing.

• There are three levels of the diet depending on the condition of the patient.

Level 1 Rationale

• This level is designed for people with moderate to severe dysphagia.

• Extremely poor chewing and swallowing abilities.

• These patients can not protect their airway.• Close supervision while eating is required.• Completely pureed, blended, soft, and thick

foods.

Level 1:Common Foods

Beverage Thickener

Chocolate Pudding

Mashed Bananas

Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Level 2 Rationale

• Transition from a pureed diet (level 1) to more solid foods.

• Chewing ability is required on this level.• Foods that are soft, moist, ground up, and

easily chewed are required at this level.

Level 2:Common Foods

Pulp Free Orange Juice-thickened

Canned fruit-no pineapple

Pancakes moistened with syrup

Smooth oatmeal

Level 3 Rationale

• This level is a transition from level 2 diet to a regular diet.

• Patient can chew and swallow adequately.• Foods required on this diet are nearly regular

textures, with the exception of hard, sticky, or crunchy foods. Foods still need to be moist and cut into bite-size pieces to aid swallowing.

Level 3:Common Foods

Bread moistened with butter and jam

Thin-sliced meat

Strawberries that have only small seeds

The Three Levels of Soup

Level 1: Smooth, thickened soup

Level 2: Vegetables are ½ inch, and easy to chew and

swallow.

Level 3: Small, soft pieces of vegetables and meat

Which Level Does This Fit Under?

Which Level Does This Fit Under?

Which Level Does This Fit Under?

Which Level Does This Fit Under?

Which Level Does This Fit Under?