Dysphagia menu ideas

When it's difficult to swallow, eating and drinking can cause anxiety. It's important to stay well nourished with adequate calories and nutrients and consume enough fluid to minimize the risk of dehydration.

Instant thickeners and thickened liquids can be added to many foods to make mealtimes much more pleasant. Below are some menu suggestions for each of the four levels of the National Dysphagia Diet. Consult your healthcare professional for recommendations for the appropriate level that meets your needs.

Level 4: Regular Menu

Breakfast

Scrambled egg, sausage, corn flakes and toast.

Lunch

Roast turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, carrots, dinner roll and cherry pie.

Dinner

Beef macaroni casserole, green beans, breadstick and fresh peaches.

Level 3: Dysphagia Advanced Menu

Breakfast

Scrambled egg, pureed bread, sausage cut into bite-sized pieces and corn flakes with milk.

Lunch

Turkey cut into bite-sized pieces, mashed potatoes with gravy, carrot coins, cherry pie and soft dinner roll.

Dinner

Beef macaroni casserole, green beans, soft breadsticks and fresh or canned peaches cut into bite-sized pieces.

Level 2: Dysphagia Advanced Altered Menu

Breakfast

Scrambled egg, pureed bread, moistened ground sausage and well-moistened corn flakes.

Lunch

Ground turkey with gravy (add gravy to the meat to keep moist), mashed potatoes with gravy, pureed bread, well-cooked carrots (cut into 1/2 inch pieces or smaller) and cherry pie (with top crust removed).

Dinner

Beef macaroni casserole, soft well-cooked cut green beans, pureed bread and canned peaches cut into cubes.

Level 1: Dysphagia Pureed Menu

Breakfast

Pureed eggs, pureed sausage, farina (no milk or milk that’s blended in well) and pureed bread.

Lunch

Pureed turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes with gravy, pureed carrots, pureed cherry pie and pureed bread.

Dinner

Pureed beef macaroni casserole, pureed green beans, pureed peaches and pureed bread.