Nutrition & Hydration Week 2019- Blog 3

Our third top tip is to eat higher energy meals when suffering from swallowing difficulties to make sure you receive the necessary calories and nutrients. 

Those suffering from swallowing difficulties often experience a decreased enjoyment of eating due to the perceived embarrassment of eating in social situations. Eating with swallowing difficulties can also often be an uncomfortable experience that leads to a reduced appetite. Methods for making meals safer to eat, such as using water when blending foods, can significantly dilute the nutritional value of a meal. These factors lead to those with swallowing difficulties living with a higher risk of poor nutrition.

Eating higher energy meals when suffering from swallowing difficulties is a good way to make sure you receive the necessary calories and nutrients required. Pre-prepared, energy dense meals are designed to serve a similar calorie and protein content as larger meals but are offered in smaller portions that seem less daunting. For example, apetito’s Puree Petite range are 40 per cent smaller than regular texture modified meals but are packed with all the important nutrients the body requires for good nutrition.