Thickeners For Dysphagia (Swallowing Disorders)

Thick-It 36 OZ

Thickeners For Swallowing Disorders Can Make Swallowing Liquids Possible Again!

I first became familiar with food thickeners when my elderly Mom was hospitalized with aspiration pneumonia. For those unfamiliar, aspiration pneumonia is caused when food ‘goes down the wrong pipe.’

Particles of food end up in the lungs and, as we all know, that’s not where it should be.

Doctors did a swallow study on Mom, and decided that she needed liquids thickened to the consistency of ‘honey’. ‘What?’ was my reply.

So, I learned that liquids can be made into a thicker consistency with the addition of thickeners. Who the heck knew???!

Thickeners come in different strengths; nectar or honey are two of the most common food or beverage thickeners.

From then on (until Mom was cleared for normal swallowing during a follow-up study), I thickened her morning coffee, her orange juice – even her clear broth soups were thickened.

I either served her food pureed or liquids were thickened to honey consistency. I sure wish those already-thickened liquids you’ll find below were around when Mom was alive.

You can find a lot of thickeners on Amazon. The one recommended by the hospital was the one there above – Thick-It. We found this one to be very easy to use. Thick-It dissolves very quickly and is clear so there’s no trace it’s in there (well, except for thicker liquids…).

Note: before purchasing any food and beverage thickener, get very meticulous instructions from the doctor so you know how thick you need to make liquids!

Food and Drink Thickeners

The below food and drink thickeners all get good reviews on Amazon.com.

 Thick It Instant Food and Beverage Thickener, 0.17 Ounce – 200 per case. Thick-It Clear Advantage Food & Beverage Thickener Powder Single Serve Packets (30/bx) (Nectar Consistency) ^Thick & Easy Packets – 6.5 g packets, Honey Min.Order is 1 CS ( 100 Each / Case; ) by Diamond Crystal Brands Thick & Easy Instant Food and Beverage Thickener, 8 Ounce Hormel Thick & Easy Instant Food Thickener, Nectar Consistency, 0.16 Ounce (Pack of 100) Thick & Easy Honey Thickener, 6.5 Gram – 100 Case

Already Thickened Beverages

I wish I had known these existed when Mom was with me! These handy already-thickened drinks would be great to take along on outings!

Thickened to Nectar Consistency

 Hormel Thick & Easy Hydrolyte Nectar Consistency Thickened Water 4 Ounce (Pack of 24) Thick-It Aquacare H2O Nectar Consistency Thickened Water Beverage, 8 Ounce (Pack of 24) Thick & Easy Thickened Water with Natural Lemon Flavor, Nectar Consistency – Sold by (6)-48oz Bottles THICK & EASY Clear Thickened Iced Tea Nectar Consistency (Pack of 24) Thick & Easy Clear Thickened Cranberry Juice Cocktail, Nectar Consistency, 46 Ounce Hormel Drink Thick & Easy Orange Juice (Nectar Consistency), 4-Ounce Portion Control Cups (Pack of 24)

Thickened to Honey Consistency

 Thick & Easy Clear Hydrolyte Thickened Water, Honey Consistency, 46 Ounce (Pack of 6) Thick & Easy Clear Consistency Thickened Iced Tea, Honey, 4 Ounce Hormel Thick & Easy® Dairy Honey Consistency or IDDSI Level 3, 8 ounce Case of 27 Thick & Easy Clear Thickened Cranberry Juice Cocktail, Honey Consistency, 46 Ounce Hormel Drink Thick & Easy Apple Juice (Honey Consistency), 4-Ounce Portion Control Cups (Pack of 24) Thick-It Aquacareh20 Thickened Decaffeinated Black Tea Beverage, Honey Consistency, 24 Count Thick & Easy Clear Thickened Kiwi-Strawberry Drink, Nectar Consistency, 46 Ounce