For those of you who are familiar with dysphagia and safe swallow strategies, you may be familiar with the term “extra sauces and gravies.”

Often when we grieve, we grieve a loss of some kind and sometimes that loss is a function, capacity or the “person” and life you knew before

If we consider Maslow’s (1943) theory, dysphagia and the challenges it brings falls into every stage of the hierarchy.

Transitional foods are foods that start as one consistency and then change once they're in your mouth. I know what you’re thinking… Magic 🔮

Dual consistency is a term used when a dish has both solid or semi solid foods AND fluid.

Thickened fluids are usually prescribed at varying levels to avoid aspiration, fluids going down the wrong way

Level 3 is another IDDSI level that describes both diet and fluid, like puree.

Level 4 is the first level to encompass both food and drinks. As a diet recommendation it is known as Puree and as a fluid recommendation...

Level 5 or Minced and Moist is the next modification on the continuum. It describes foods that are soft and moist and of pieces equal to or

Level 6 or Soft and Bite Sized describes foods that are soft, just like Regular Easy to Chew, but also cut up into small pieces.

Level 7 or Regular Diet is considered a “normal diet” with no modifications necessary to make food safe for a person.

Dysphagia is any kind of difficulty associated with swallowing including chewing food and sipping drinks. It is often acquired as a...

The Fourth Place is a website and food blog for people within and around the dysphagia community that covers all things modified foods. ...