Understanding Your Nutrition Diet: What is level 7 regular texture?

The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) established a global framework to improve safety for people with chewing and swallowing difficulties. A crucial part of this system is understanding what is level 7 regular texture?, which represents the highest and most unrestricted level of food consistency within the framework.

Quick Summary

Level 7 Regular, under the IDDSI framework, applies to everyday foods of all textures and sizes for individuals with no chewing or swallowing problems. It is distinct from the Level 7 Easy to Chew sub-category, which involves soft and tender foods for those needing easier chewing without a choking risk.

Key Points

• IDDSI Framework: Provides a global, standardized terminology for food textures and liquid thickness, categorized into eight levels (0-7).

• Level 7 Regular Texture: Represents the least restrictive diet, suitable for individuals with no swallowing difficulties, and includes all normal food textures and sizes.

• Level 7 'Easy to Chew': A sub-category for those with mild chewing difficulties, where foods must be soft and tender but have no restriction on piece size.

• Testing for Safety: The 'Easy to Chew' diet requires foods to pass a Fork/Spoon Pressure Test, confirming they break apart easily.

• Preventing Choking: A key purpose of IDDSI is to reduce choking incidents, especially by clearly defining texture requirements for different levels.

• Professional Guidance: Speech and Language Therapists and Dietitians are vital for assessing and recommending the appropriate IDDSI diet level for an individual.

• Nutritional Importance: Tailoring the diet to the correct texture level is essential for ensuring adequate nutrition and preventing malnutrition or dehydration.

What is the IDDSI Framework?

Before exploring what is level 7 regular texture?, it is essential to understand the IDDSI framework. The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) is a global standard with terminology and definitions to describe modified food textures and thickened liquids. It was created by an international board of experts, including dietitians, doctors, and speech and language therapists, to improve patient safety and reduce the risk of choking for individuals with dysphagia (swallowing problems).

The framework consists of eight levels, identified by numbers (0–7), text labels, and color codes for clear identification. Foods are categorized from Level 3 (Liquidised) to Level 7 (Regular), while drinks range from Level 0 (Thin) to Level 4 (Extremely Thick). The implementation of this standardized system helps to eliminate the confusion caused by ambiguous diet descriptions like "soft" or "chopped" that can vary between different healthcare facilities.

Unpacking Level 7: The 'Regular' Diet

Level 7 is the highest and least restrictive level in the IDDSI framework, representing normal, everyday food and drink. The IDDSI defines two important components within Level 7 to ensure clarity:

Level 7 Regular

This is for individuals who do not have any problems with chewing or swallowing and are not at an increased risk for choking. It is the diet for the general population and includes:

• Foods of all textures and sizes: No restrictions on particle size, texture, or consistency.
• Mixed consistencies: This level includes foods that have both a solid and a liquid component, like cereal with milk, vegetable soup, or juicy fruits.
• Includes all food characteristics: Foods can be hard, tough, chewy, crunchy, or crispy. They can also contain seeds, pips, husks, or bones.

Level 7 Regular 'Easy to Chew'

This is a specific sub-category of Level 7 for individuals who may have some difficulty chewing hard or firm foods but do not have a high risk of choking. This might include people with dental issues, mouth pain, or those recovering strength after an illness. The key characteristics include:

• Soft and tender texture: Foods should be soft enough to be broken apart easily with the side of a fork or spoon.
• No particle size restriction: While the food must be tender, there is no restriction on the size of the pieces served. This is a key difference from Level 6 (Soft & Bite-Sized), which mandates specific particle sizes.
• Chewing required: Individuals on this diet must still be able to chew the soft and tender food without tiring easily.
• Avoid certain textures: Hard, tough, chewy, crunchy, fibrous, or stringy foods should be avoided.

The Role of Testing in Maintaining Texture Consistency

To ensure food meets the correct texture profile for the Easy to Chew sub-category, a simple Fork/Spoon Pressure Test can be performed. This involves pressing down on the food with a fork or spoon until the thumbnail blanches (turns white). The food should easily squash and break apart without regaining its shape when the pressure is released. This test helps ensure consistency and patient safety, as the right texture is crucial for avoiding complications.

Nutritional Considerations and Health Benefits

While Level 7 diets are the least restrictive, nutritional considerations are still paramount. For those on a Level 7 Easy to Chew diet, focusing on nutrient-dense foods that are naturally soft or cooked until tender is key. Conversely, individuals on the unrestricted Level 7 Regular diet have full access to a diverse range of foods, making it easier to meet all nutritional requirements.

For those with dysphagia or chewing issues, working with a dietitian or speech and language therapist is crucial. These professionals can provide guidance on meal planning and suggest strategies to maintain adequate nutrition and hydration while on a texture-modified diet. Fortification with extra protein or calories can also be a valuable strategy when food intake is reduced due to chewing difficulties.

Comparison Table: Level 7 Regular vs. Easy to Chew

Feature	IDDSI Level 7 Regular	IDDSI Level 7 Easy to Chew
Target Population	Individuals with no chewing or swallowing difficulties.	Individuals with mild chewing difficulties or pain, but no significant choking risk.
Food Texture	All normal, everyday food textures, including hard, tough, and crunchy.	Only soft, tender, and moist foods are permitted.
Particle Size	No restrictions on food piece size.	No restrictions on food piece size, as long as it is tender.
Required Chewing	Able to bite and chew all food textures without tiring.	Able to chew soft foods without tiring easily.
Texture Testing	No special testing required, as it includes all regular food textures.	Food must pass the Fork/Spoon Pressure Test, breaking apart easily.
Foods to Avoid	None, unless medically specified for other reasons.	Hard, tough, chewy, crunchy, fibrous, or dry foods.

What is level 7 regular texture? - Conclusion

Understanding what is level 7 regular texture? is essential for ensuring dietary safety and nutritional adequacy within the IDDSI framework. While the full Level 7 Regular diet is for individuals with no chewing or swallowing problems, the 'Easy to Chew' sub-category provides a crucial modification for those needing a softer diet without a high risk of choking. By adhering to these standardized guidelines and utilizing the simple testing methods, caregivers and individuals can safely manage dietary needs while maximizing choice and quality of life. Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized dietary recommendations. For more information, visit the official IDDSI website.

Recommended food choices for Level 7 'Easy to Chew'

• Soft Meats and Fish: Tender, slow-cooked meat like casserole or stew; fish cooked until flaky.
• Soft Fruits: Bananas, peaches, stewed apples, and soft, peeled fruits.
• Tender Vegetables: Steamed or boiled vegetables, like carrots or broccoli, cooked until soft.
• Moist Starches: Soft pasta, well-cooked rice, or moistened cereal.
• Desserts: Soft cakes, yogurts, mousse, and milk puddings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Level 7 regular diet for?

The IDDSI Level 7 regular diet is for individuals who have no problems with chewing or swallowing, do not have dysphagia, and are not at an increased risk for choking.

What is the difference between Level 7 Regular and Level 7 Easy to Chew?

The main difference is the texture of the foods. Level 7 Regular includes all normal food textures, including hard and crunchy items. Level 7 Easy to Chew restricts food to those that are soft and tender, though it does not restrict the size of food pieces.

How do you test food for Level 7 Easy to Chew?

You can use the IDDSI Fork/Spoon Pressure Test. Press down on the food with a fork or spoon until your thumbnail blanches. The food should easily break apart and not return to its original shape.

Can people on a Level 7 diet eat mixed consistency foods?

Yes, both Level 7 Regular and Level 7 Easy to Chew diets can include mixed consistency foods, such as soup with noodles or cereal with milk, as they do not have restrictions on this.

What kind of foods should be avoided on a Level 7 Easy to Chew diet?

Foods that are hard, tough, chewy, fibrous, stringy, crunchy, or have seeds, husks, or bones should be avoided.

Is there a restriction on particle size for a Level 7 diet?

No, for all variations of the Level 7 diet, there is no restriction on the size of food pieces, unlike lower IDDSI levels like Level 6 (Soft & Bite-Sized).

Why is the IDDSI framework important for nutrition?

The IDDSI framework provides a standardized language for diet modification, which helps ensure that individuals with chewing or swallowing difficulties receive the appropriate, safe foods. This helps prevent malnutrition, dehydration, and choking.