Tasty Foods for Persons who have Problems Swallowing and Chewing

Eating is such a normal part of everyday life that it can be taken for granted. However, persons with certain disabilities, such as cerebral palsy or myasthenia gravis, as well as those who are aging, may find even the smallest meals to be exhausting, painful, and difficult to eat. Depending on the difficulty one has swallowing, general medical nutrition therapy recommendations from the American Dietetic Association, for example, include plenty of fluids between and during meals, plus soft foods and liquids as the main modality of food texture.

However, just because chewing or swallowing is difficult doesn't mean food cannot be enjoyable. Most recipes for easy-to-swallow foods are designed for young children, which may be unpalatable for an adult with 'mature' taste buds. The "Easy to Swallow" website (http://www.easytoswallow.co.uk/) has recipes donated by top chefs from around the world, as well as persons with chewing and swallowing problems. It also provides helpful information such as conversion tables from solid to liquid portions, tips on making eating and drinking easier, feeding and tube feeding, as well as a message board and other links. However, just because chewing or swallowing is difficult doesn't mean food cannot be enjoyable. Most recipes for easy-to-swallow foods are designed for young children, which may be unpalatable for an adult with 'mature' taste buds.

Please send your comments and feedback to Valerie Lawson at vlawson@uic.edu.

This fact sheet was last updated on 08-21-2006.