What Can You Eat on the Level 7 Diet?

November 19, 2025 •

4 min read

The Level 7 diet, officially known as the 'Easy to Chew' diet within the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework, is designed for individuals who have difficulty chewing hard textures but can safely swallow. This specialized eating plan focuses on soft, tender, and moist foods, ensuring safety and nutritional intake for those recovering from illness, with dental issues, or other chewing-related challenges.

Quick Summary

The Level 7 diet consists of soft, tender, and moist foods suitable for those with chewing difficulties, following IDDSI guidelines to ensure meal safety and nutritional adequacy.

Key Points

Definition: The Level 7 diet is part of the IDDSI framework and consists of soft, tender, and moist foods for easy chewing.
Food Preparation: Foods should be easily mashed or broken apart with a fork, and tough, fibrous, or crunchy textures must be avoided.
Suitable Foods: Recommended foods include soft-cooked meats, flaky fish, mashed vegetables, soft fruits, and milk puddings.
Who It's For: This diet is suitable for individuals with dental issues, jaw pain, or those recovering strength, but with no increased choking risk.
Professional Guidance: Consultation with a healthcare provider is essential to ensure the diet is safe and meets nutritional needs.

What is the Level 7 Diet (Easy to Chew)?

Developed by the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI), the Level 7 Easy to Chew diet is a modified texture diet suitable for individuals who can safely swallow and have some chewing ability, but find tough or hard foods difficult. The key principle is that all food must be soft and tender enough to be broken apart easily with the side of a fork or spoon. There are no restrictions on the size of food pieces, but items should be easy to chew without causing fatigue or pain. The diet is often recommended by a Speech and Language Therapist or a dietitian and can be beneficial for those with dental problems, mouth or jaw pain, or individuals regaining strength after an illness.

Foods You Can Eat on the Level 7 Diet

The Level 7 diet includes a wide variety of regular, everyday foods, provided they are cooked or prepared to be soft and tender. The following categories outline approved options:

Proteins

Tender, slow-cooked meats like stewed beef, pulled chicken, or casseroles with gravy.
Fine mince with no hard bits or gristle.
Soft fish, such as baked or steamed flaky fish in a sauce.
Sausages with skins removed.
Poached, boiled, or scrambled eggs.
Tender meatballs and burgers.
Soft pulses and beans that have been cooked thoroughly.

Carbohydrates

Porridge, Weetabix, and other cereals softened with milk.
Well-cooked pasta, such as gnocchi, ravioli, or macaroni.
Well-cooked rice and risotto.
Soft potatoes prepared in various ways: mashed, boiled, roasted (without a crispy skin), or the insides of a jacket potato.
Soft noodles with sauce.

Fruits and Vegetables

Softly boiled or steamed vegetables without skins, including carrots, parsnips, cauliflower, and sweet potato.
Mushy peas.
Ripe, mashed fruits like bananas.
Soft canned or stewed fruits (with skins, seeds, and pips removed).
Soft avocado.

Dairy and Desserts

Smooth yoghurts and fromage frais.
Milk puddings like semolina and rice pudding.
Creme caramel, trifles, and chocolate mousse.
Plain cake or sponge pudding with cream or custard.
Full-fat dairy products can be used to increase nutritional intake if weight loss is a concern.

Foods to Avoid on the Level 7 Diet

It is crucial to avoid foods that are difficult to chew, fibrous, or pose a choking risk. These include:

Hard or Dry Foods: Nuts, crackers, dry cakes, and dry bread.
Tough or Chewy Foods: Steak, chewy sweets, dried fruits, marshmallows, and cheese chunks.
Crunchy or Crispy Foods: Crisps, raw carrots, popcorn, flaky pastry, and crispy bacon.
Sticky Foods: Peanut butter, sticky sweets, or gummy items.
Fibrous or Stringy Foods: Pineapple, runner beans, rhubarb, and parts of orange rind.
Mixed Consistencies: Soups with chunks or hard cereal with thin milk.
Small, Hard Bits: Pips, seeds, bones, and gristle.

Level 7 vs. Regular Diet: A Comparison


Feature	Level 7 (Easy to Chew) Diet	Regular Diet (IDDSI Level 7)
Texture	Soft and tender. Easily broken apart with a fork.	All normal textures.
Foods Included	Softly cooked meats, tender vegetables, moist cakes.	All regular foods, including tough meats, hard bread, and crunchy items.
Foods Excluded	Hard, tough, crunchy, crispy, sticky, or stringy foods.	No exclusions based on texture.
Preparation	Often requires boiling, steaming, slow-cooking, or adding sauces to achieve required softness.	Normal preparation methods.
User Population	Individuals with chewing difficulties (e.g., dental issues, jaw pain), recovering patients.	General population with no chewing or swallowing problems.
Bite Size	No restriction on particle size, but pieces must be easily chewed.	No restriction on bite or particle size.
Safety Check	Food must easily squash with fork pressure, not returning to original shape.	No specific safety check for texture required.

Preparing Food for the Level 7 Diet

To ensure all food meets the Level 7 criteria, certain preparation techniques are essential:

Cooking Methods: Opt for slow-cooking, boiling, steaming, and braising to make foods tender.
Moisture: Add gravies, sauces, or custard to prevent foods from becoming dry or crumbly.
Enrichment: For those at risk of weight loss, fortify foods with extra calories and protein by adding butter, cream, cheese, or milk powder.
Testing: Always perform a simple fork pressure test. If food can be easily mashed or separated with the side of a fork, it meets the requirements.

For more detailed information on the IDDSI framework and its safety standards, visit the official resource. International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative

Conclusion

The Level 7 diet, or Easy to Chew diet, is a critical tool for managing eating difficulties related to chewing, without restricting normal food sizes. By focusing on soft, tender, and moist foods, individuals can maintain adequate nutrition while minimizing the risk of pain or discomfort. However, this diet requires careful preparation and an understanding of which food textures to avoid. Always consult with a healthcare professional, such as a Speech and Language Therapist or dietitian, to ensure this diet is appropriate and to create a safe and nutritious meal plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Level 7 Easy to Chew diet is a modified texture diet within the IDDSI framework that includes soft, tender, and moist versions of regular foods. It's intended for individuals with chewing difficulties but no significant swallowing problems.

While similar, the Level 7 diet is more specific than a general 'soft food diet,' following strict IDDSI guidelines to ensure foods can be easily mashed or broken apart with a fork. It excludes hard, chewy, and stringy items that might be included in less regulated soft diets.

People with dental issues, jaw pain, muscle weakness, or those recovering from illness often benefit from this diet. It's for individuals who can manage soft foods but struggle with tougher textures.

You can eat tender, slow-cooked meats like stews or casseroles, finely minced meat, flaky fish, and sausages with the skin removed. Tough cuts like steak or meat with gristle must be avoided.

Generally, dry bread is not recommended due to its crumbly nature. However, certain soft, moist sandwiches or cereal softened with milk may be approved, so it is best to check with a healthcare professional.

To boost nutrition, use full-fat dairy products instead of low-fat options, and fortify milk with dried milk powder. Adding grated cheese, cream, or butter to meals is also effective.

The IDDSI Level 7 Easy to Chew diet may allow for mixed consistencies, such as soup with food pieces, for some individuals, as long as the person is assessed as safe and able to manage both textures. However, some healthcare guidance advises caution with mixed textures.