What is a level 7 easy to chew diet?

October 6, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI), a global framework, a level 7 easy to chew diet consists of normal, everyday foods that are soft and tender. This texture-modified diet is designed for individuals who have difficulty chewing hard, firm, or tough foods but can manage softer textures without a heightened risk of choking.

Quick Summary

A level 7 easy to chew diet, within the IDDSI framework, includes regular, soft, and tender foods that require minimal chewing. This diet is for individuals who can safely chew and swallow without a high choking risk but may struggle with harder textures due to dental issues or muscle weakness. Appropriate foods can be broken apart easily with a fork, while hard, tough, or sticky items are avoided.

Key Points

Definition: A level 7 easy to chew diet, under the IDDSI framework, includes soft and tender foods that require minimal chewing, ideal for those with mild chewing difficulties.
Texture Test: Foods should be easily squashed or broken apart using the side of a fork, confirmed by the IDDSI Fork Pressure Test.
Suitable Foods: Appropriate foods include tender meats, soft-cooked vegetables, ripe fruits, and moistened cereals, all prepared to be soft and easy to chew.
Foods to Avoid: Patients should avoid hard, tough, chewy, stringy, crunchy, or fibrous foods, along with those containing seeds, bones, or gristle.
Target Population: This diet is suitable for individuals with weakened chewing muscles, dental issues, or those recovering from illness, but not for those with a high choking risk.
Consult Professionals: Consultation with a healthcare provider, like a speech and language therapist or dietitian, is essential before starting this modified diet.

Understanding the IDDSI Framework and Easy-to-Chew Foods

The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) created a global framework to classify textured food and liquids for individuals with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). The framework uses eight levels, numbered 0 to 7, to ensure consistency and safety for patients worldwide. A Level 7 diet encompasses regular foods, with a specific sub-category known as "Regular Easy to Chew". This sub-category focuses on soft and tender foods that are easy to break down, accommodating people with compromised chewing ability.

Who Needs a Level 7 Easy to Chew Diet?

This diet is typically recommended for individuals who can chew and swallow safely but find harder textures difficult or uncomfortable to manage. Common reasons include:

Dental Issues: Lack of teeth, poorly fitting dentures, or pain from dental problems can make chewing tough foods challenging.
Recovery from Illness: Individuals recovering from an illness or injury may have weaker chewing muscles and find softer foods easier to manage.
Age-related Fatigue: As people age, muscle strength, including those used for chewing, can diminish, leading to tiring during meals.
Rehabilitation: It can also be used as a transitional step for patients working towards advanced chewing skills.

It is crucial to note that this diet is not suitable for people with a high risk of choking or significant swallowing problems, as it does not impose size restrictions on food pieces.

Key Characteristics of a Level 7 Easy to Chew Diet

To ensure food safety and comfort on this diet, specific guidelines must be followed. These characteristics relate to the food's texture and are easily tested.

Soft and Tender Texture: All foods must be naturally soft or cooked until tender.
Easily Separated: Foods should break apart easily with the side of a fork or spoon. The 'Fork Pressure Test' can confirm this: press down with a fork until the thumbnail blanches white, then lift the fork to see if the food is completely squashed and holds its shape.
Moist Consistency: Food should be served with adequate moisture from sauces, gravies, or cooking liquids to aid swallowing and prevent crumbling.
No Size Restrictions: Unlike lower IDDSI levels, there are no specific particle size limits. Individuals are expected to bite and chew appropriately.
Foods to Avoid: Hard, tough, chewy, stringy, fibrous, or crunchy foods should be omitted.

Examples of Suitable and Unsuitable Foods

Suitable Level 7 Easy to Chew Foods

Proteins: Tender, cooked meats (e.g., stews, casseroles), flaked fish, eggs (scrambled, poached), soft tofu, and cooked beans.
Fruits: Soft, fresh, or canned fruits like ripe bananas, peaches, pears, and mangoes. Remove skins and seeds.
Vegetables: Softly boiled or steamed vegetables like carrots, cauliflower, potatoes (without skin), and sweet potato.
Grains: Soft cereals soaked in milk, well-cooked pasta, rice, and moist, soft bread without tough crusts.
Dairy: Yogurt, smooth cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, and creamy puddings.

Unsuitable Foods to Avoid

Proteins: Tough cuts of meat, crispy bacon, chicken with skin, and any meat with bones or gristle.
Fruits/Vegetables: Raw vegetables (e.g., carrots, celery), crunchy apples, pineapple, corn kernels, and fruits with seeds or tough skins.
Grains: Hard bread crusts, crunchy crackers, dry cakes, popcorn, and flaky pastries.
Sticky/Chewy Foods: Marshmallows, dried fruits, chewy sweets, and some types of cheese.
Crunchy/Crispy Foods: Nuts, crisps, crackling, and crunchy cereals.

Comparison of IDDSI Level 7 vs. Other Diets


Feature	Level 7 Easy to Chew (EC7)	Level 6 Soft & Bite-Sized (SB6)	Level 5 Minced & Moist (MM5)
Food Texture	Regular, soft, tender foods.	Soft, moist, and tender.	Moist, cohesive, and easily mashed with a fork.
Particle Size	No specific size restriction. Patient controls bite size.	Limited to 1.5cm x 1.5cm. No lumps.	Limited to 4mm for adults (or 2mm for children).
Chewing Ability	Requires strong enough chewing to break down soft/tender food without tiring easily.	Minimal chewing needed.	Minimal chewing needed.
Choking Risk	Not for individuals with an identified choking risk.	Lower choking risk due to size limitation.	Significantly reduced choking risk due to texture.
Moisture	Foods should be soft and moist.	Moist and cohesive, no separate thin liquids.	Moist and clumped, no separate thin liquids.
Who It's For	Patients with mild chewing difficulties (e.g., dental issues, fatigue).	Patients with mild-to-moderate oral phase dysphagia.	Patients with moderate-to-severe dysphagia or reduced chewing ability.

Preparing Easy to Chew Meals

Meal preparation for a level 7 easy to chew diet focuses on cooking methods that tenderize food and incorporating moisture. Using a pressure cooker or slow cooker can help soften meats, while boiling, steaming, or baking can make vegetables tender. Adding sauces, gravy, yogurt, or melted cheese can enhance moisture and flavor.

Recipe Idea: Tender Chicken Curry

Prepare: Use skinless, boneless chicken thighs for maximum tenderness. Cube the chicken and brown it lightly in a pot.
Cook: Add a base of soft, chopped vegetables like boiled carrots and butternut squash. Pour in a mild curry sauce or make one with coconut milk, spices, and broth. Ensure all vegetables are cooked until very soft.
Simmer: Simmer the curry slowly to allow the chicken to become tender enough to break apart easily with a fork.
Serve: Serve with well-cooked rice or soft noodles. Check the consistency with the fork test before serving. This meal is naturally moist and flavorful.

Conclusion

A level 7 easy to chew diet, a sub-category of the IDDSI framework's Regular diet, is an essential tool for managing mild chewing difficulties. By focusing on soft, tender, and moist foods while avoiding tough, chewy, or hard textures, individuals can maintain their nutritional intake with greater safety and comfort. Always ensure that you consult with a healthcare professional, such as a Speech and Language Therapist or Dietitian, before beginning any texture-modified diet, especially if there is a risk of choking. The IDDSI framework provides clear, testable guidelines for preparation, making it a reliable standard for caregivers and patients alike.

Recommended Resources

For more information on IDDSI guidelines and testing methods, visit the official IDDSI website. International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference is texture. While both are Level 7, the Easy to Chew version specifically excludes hard, tough, and chewy textures, focusing only on soft and tender foods. The standard Regular diet has no texture restrictions.

No, there are no specific particle size restrictions on a Level 7 Easy to Chew diet. Individuals on this diet are expected to bite and chew appropriately to form a safe bite-size.

Yes, children can be prescribed this diet if a clinician determines they have sufficient chewing ability for soft, tender foods and do not have an increased choking risk. Supervision is often recommended.

To prepare meat, you should cook it until it is very tender, such as in a stew, casserole, or slow-cooked dish. Avoid tough cuts and always remove bones, skin, or gristle.

If you experience coughing, choking, or a 'gurgly' voice, you should immediately contact your healthcare provider or Speech and Language Therapist. These may be signs that this diet is no longer appropriate or your swallowing abilities have changed.

Soft, moist bread without tough crusts can be acceptable. However, dry, seeded, or very chewy breads should be avoided. Your Speech and Language Therapist may provide more specific guidance.

The Fork Pressure Test is a safety check to ensure food is soft enough. You press a fork down on the food until your thumbnail blanches white. The food passes the test if it squashes completely and does not regain its shape when the fork is lifted.