Tag: Food textures

An estimated 8% of the world's population is affected by dysphagia, a condition that makes swallowing difficult and potentially dangerous. Understanding the different food textures for dysphagia is a critical component of managing the condition safely and effectively, preventing choking and aspiration.

According to neurodivergent-affirming resources like Liv Label Free, eating is a multisensory experience that can be a form of stimming, or self-stimulatory behavior. The repetitive action of chewing or seeking specific tastes and textures provides sensory input that helps regulate the nervous system, especially for those with autism or ADHD.

According to the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI), a global framework, certain food textures must be avoided even on a Level 7 easy to chew diet. While this diet is less restrictive, it is crucial to understand which foods still pose a risk due to their hard, tough, or sticky nature.

Experts confirm that up to 95% of what we perceive as flavor actually comes from our sense of smell, so when you lose your sense of taste, finding foods you can enjoy can be a challenge. This guide explores strategies and specific foods to help navigate what to eat if you have no taste, focusing on stimulating your other senses to make mealtimes pleasurable once more.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, more than 200,000 office visits per year are for chemosensory problems like a diminished sense of taste or smell. When you can't taste or smell, maintaining proper nutrition can be challenging, but focusing on alternative sensory experiences like texture, temperature, and visual appeal can make meals enjoyable and ensure your body gets the fuel it needs.

The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) was founded to create a globally standardised framework for food textures and liquid thickness. This system, which consists of a continuum of 8 levels (0–7), includes the highest category, known as **What is level 7 food?**, which represents regular, everyday foods.