WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What is a level 2 national dysphagia diet? A level 2 national dysphagia diet includes only moist, soft foods. Regular foods need to be modified to make them easier to chew and swallow. This can be done by blending, chopping, grinding, mashing, shredding, or cooking the food. You need to have some chewing ability to eat these foods. Thin liquids need to be thickened because they are hard to swallow and are more likely to enter the lungs. The level of thickness you need depends on your swallowing issues. Your healthcare provider will tell you how long you need to follow this diet. What do I need to know about thickened liquids? Thin liquids can be thickened with special thickeners, flour, cornstarch, or potato flakes. Thin liquids include milk, juice, coffee, tea, soda, and nutritional supplements. Foods that are liquid at room temperature should also be thickened. These include frozen malts, yogurt, milk shakes, eggnog, ice cream, and gelatin. Your healthcare provider or dietitian will tell you which of the following types of thickened liquids you need. - Nectar-like liquids have the same thickness as nectars, vegetable juices, and milkshakes.
- Honey-like liquids are thicker than nectar-like liquids. The thickness is similar to honey at room temperature.
- Spoon-thick liquids are the thickest. The thickness is similar to that of pudding. These liquids need to be eaten with a spoon.
How do I prepare foods? - Use a blender, food processor, food chopper, grinder, or potato masher to soften your food. Add gravy, sauce, vegetable or fruit juice, milk, or half and half to moisten the food.
- To moisten foods and add flavor, serve your food with gravies or sauces.
- Pour sauce or gravy over bread slices or syrup over pancakes. Allow the food to soften and dissolve.
- Add dry milk powder to foods for extra protein and calories, if needed.
- Cook vegetables so they are tender enough to be mashed with a fork.
- Prepared foods can be frozen in small portions and reheated at a later time. When you reheat foods, do not allow a tough outer crust to form on the food. This can make it hard to swallow.
What foods can I eat? - Grains:
- Soft pancakes, breads, sweet rolls, Danish pastries, and French toast with syrup or sauce
- Soft dumplings moistened with butter or gravy
- Cooked cereals such as oatmeal
- Moistened dry cereal with little texture such as corn flakes and puffed rice
- Cakes or cookies moistened and softened with milk, coffee, or other liquid
- Vegetables and fruits:
- Well-cooked, boiled, baked, or mashed potatoes
- Well-cooked vegetables in pieces less than ½ inch in size
- Drained, canned, or cooked fruits without seeds or skins
- Ripe banana
- Dairy products:
- Pudding, custard, or cottage cheese
- Ice cream, sherbet, frozen yogurt, and malts
- Meat and other protein foods:
- Moistened ground or tender cooked meat, poultry, and fish with gravy or sauce
- Any casserole without rice
- Tuna, egg, or meat salad without large chunks or hard-to-chew vegetables
- Poached, scrambled, or soft-cooked eggs mashed with butter, margarine, sauce, or gravy
- Tofu and well-cooked, moistened, or mashed cooked bean, peas, baked beans, and other legumes
- Fats and oils:
- Butter, margarine, gravy, and cream sauces
- Mayonnaise and salad dressing
- Cream cheese and sour cream
What foods should I avoid? - Grains:
- Very coarse cereals that contain seeds, nuts, or dried fruit
- Rice, rice pudding, and bread pudding
- Vegetables and fruits:
- Raw fruits and raw, undercooked vegetables
- Fried or French fried potatoes
- Cooked corn and peas
- Cooked fibrous, tough, or stringy vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, and asparagus
- Pineapple, fruit with seeds, coconut, and dried fruit
- Dairy, meat, and other foods:
- Cheese slices and cubes
- Dry meats and tough meats such as bacon, sausage, and hot dogs
- Nuts, seeds, or peanut butter
- Hard cooked or crisp fried eggs
- Pizza or sandwiches
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