Managing difficulty swallowing

Change the consistency of food and drinks

• Soft, moist and easy-to-chew food is preferred, like purees, soups, or finely chopped foods.
• Use thickeners to make liquids like water, juice, or soups easier to manage. Try using powdered potatoes, rice cereal, starch or a specialty thickener like Thick-It.
• Strain soups and broths to bring them to one consistency.
• Nutritional supplement drinks can be considered in consultation with a dietician or healthcare provider.
• Avoid extremely hot or cold foods, as well as dry, hard, or sticky foods.

Dietary changes

• Serve smaller, more manageable portions throughout the day.
• Use soft foods that are easy to chew, such as mashed potatoes, yogurt, or pudding.
• Cut food into smaller pieces or thin slices.
• Have small and frequent sips of water or thickened liquids.

Swallowing techniques and positioning

• Sit in an upright position when eating or drinking if possible, to prevent choking and aspiration.
• A chin tuck, where the chin is tucked into the chest while swallowing, can help guide food and fluid down the right path
• A head tilt, which involves tilting the head to one side that is weaker, can also aid swallowing.
• Take time to eat slowly and chew thoroughly. Take small bites and sips. Swallow each mouthful before taking another.

Avoid distractions and offer emotional support

• Avoid distractions during meals, such as watching TV or reading, to focus on eating.
• Provide emotional support during mealtimes to ease anxiety and distress.

Use assistive devices

• Try using a straw or a specialised drinking cup for swallowing difficulties.
• Use suction devices to manage excessive saliva or secretions, such as a handheld saliva pump.
• Use pill swallowing aids, like pill crushers, pill splitters, and pill glide sprays.

When to contact a healthcare professional

• If swallowing becomes too difficult or unsafe, the healthcare team may consider tube feeding or IV nutrition.

If you are unsure about what is causing or how to manage difficulty in swallowing, speak to your healthcare team. They can advise on the best approach to managing it safely at home.