Skip to content

Resources & Guide

Foods to Avoid for Dysphagia Diet

28 Apr 2021
Foods to Avoid for Dysphagia Diet
Dysphagia diet is a special eating plan recommended for patients who are unable to swallow foods. In very serious cases of dysphagia, a pureed diet (or the most restrictive diet) is often recommended for these patients so as to prevent aspiration, choking or pneumonia. Those on this diet are only able to eat pureed “pudding-like” foods, and should avoid all foods with coarse textures.

When it comes to preparing meals for someone with dysphagia, it is important to use the right ingredients. Choosing ingredients that cannot be easily swallowed by the patient may lead to potential life threatening consequences. Here’s a list of high-risk foods that should be avoided by dysphagia patients.

Mixed Consistency Foods
These are foods with more than one texture or consistency. Examples include mixing cereal with milk, or bread that has been dipped in soup. Variance in food consistency makes it harder for patients to swallow and they might end up having food lumps stuck in their throat.

If you are looking to enhance the food with sauces or soup, take note to puree all the food and mix them together instead of serving foods with different consistencies.

Foods with Husks/Hulls
Husks or hulls refer to the dry outer covering of some foods - seeds, fruits or vegetables. The texture and dryness of the husks make it very difficult and dangerous for dysphagia patients, as they may trigger choking and aspiration. Some examples of foods with husks include granary, multi-grain breads, and vegetables such as corn on cob and barley.

If you are preparing meals involving foods such as corn, barley and wheat, it is important to check and that the packaging states that the ingredients have been hulled. Otherwise, you may also hull the ingredients at home by hand.

Fibrous Foods
Foods with a fibrous or “stringy” texture should also be avoided as they may cause a gag reflex when dysphagia patients try to swallow them. Examples of such foods include celery, string beans, melted cheese and pineapple.

If you are looking to prepare a well-balanced and nutritious meal, consider replacing the stringy, fibrous ingredients with items such as GentleFoods’ pureed broccoli, pumpkin and fruit juices that are available for immediate consumption.
Prev Post
Next Post
Someone recently bought a
[time] minutes ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Popular Products

Chicken-Petite Meal
Regular price
$5.90
Regular price
Sale price
$5.90
Specially made 30% smaller than our regular pureed bento meals, while still containing calories and protein content for a meal. Enjoy over 15 petite meals full of local Asian flavour, including chicken satay, fish masak merah and others - ideal for smaller appetites. Each...
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Chicken Rice - Regular Meal
Regular price
$7.90
Regular price
Sale price
$7.90
Singapore-style chicken rice. The cooking method hails back to its Hainanese roots, with a few uniquely Singaporean twists. GentleFoods' pureed Singapore-style chicken rice paired with vegetables and served with sesame soy sauce to enhance the flavour and taste of the bento set. This easy...
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Close
Notify me
Chicken Rice - Petite Meal
Regular price
$5.90
Regular price
Sale price
$5.90
A nutritionally balanced Singapore-style chicken rice which contains the three core food groups: carbohydrates (rice), protein (chicken), and vegetables. The meal size is ideal for older adults, children, small eaters and anyone who prefers small and frequent meals. The rice is infused with the...
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Close
Notify me
Notify me

Choose Options

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Have Questions?
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items