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National Dysphagia Diet

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National Dysphagia Diet

  • See Also
  1. Dysphagia Diet
  2. International Dysphagia Diet
  • Dysphagia Diet Level I (Most restricted)
  1. Indications
    1. Patients just beginning to eat by mouth
    2. Severe Dysphagia
      1. Unable to safely swallow chewable foods
      2. Unable to safely drink thin liquids
  2. Description
    1. Thick homogenous semiliquid textures
    2. Decreased Fiber
      1. No coarse textures, nuts, raw fruits or vegetables
    3. Medications must be crushed or liquid
      1. Mix with pureed foods
  • Dysphagia Diet Level II
  1. Indications
    1. Moderate Dysphagia
      1. Can tolerate minimal easily chewed foods
      2. Cannot swallow thin liquids safely
  2. Description
    1. Thickened liquids with commercial thickener as needed
    2. Very thick juices and milk products
    3. Decreased fiber
      1. No coarse textures, nuts, raw fruits or vegetables
    4. Medications may need to be crushed or liquid
    5. No water
  • Dysphagia Diet Level III
  1. Indications
    1. Difficulty chewing, manipulating or Swallowing foods
    2. Patients beginning to chew
  2. Description
    1. Mechanically soft or edentulous diet
      1. No tough skins
      2. No nuts, or dry, crispy, raw, or stringy foods
      3. Meats need to be minced or cut into small pieces
    2. Liquids as tolerated
    3. Medications may need to be crushed or liquid
  • Dysphagia Diet Level IV (Least restricted)
  1. Indications
    1. Persons chewing soft textures, swallow liquids safely
  2. Description
    1. Soft textures that do not require grinding, chopping
    2. No Nuts, no raw, crisp or deep fried foods
    3. Medications and liquids as tolerated