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"I jumped on board with IDDSI because I’ve always believed it would reduce errors in the food served to people."

John Holahan

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Can You Eat Ice Cream with Dysphagia?

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! The million-dollar question is, "Can you eat ice cream with dysphagia?" We hate to make it complicated, but it will depend on the person and their precise physical limitations.  In general, you should be able to find an ice cream that will work for most people. 

mildly thick, level 2, thickened ice cream using SimplyThick for dysphagia patients

Three main concerns need to be addressed:


1.     Can you eat Transitional Foods? 

As ice cream melts, it will change from a solid to a liquid in your mouth.  You need to have the ability to handle foods that melt in your mouth.


2.     Can you handle Mixed Consistency Foods? 

Many ice cream products and toppings contain bits of food that can be hard and brittle – especially when still frozen.  When the ice cream melts, it will be a mix of the liquid and these solids.  You need to be able to control these mixed-consistency foods or choose a plain ice cream.


3.     Does the ice cream melt to a thickness level that is appropriate for you? 

There is a surprising amount of variability in the thickness level of ice cream products when they melt.  I always recommend that you melt a small amount and test it to be sure that the thickness will be appropriate for you.  Note – if the ice cream melts to a level that is too thin, you can thicken the ice cream and refreeze.


How to thicken Ice Cream

If you are a sweet treat lover, but melted ice cream is too thin for your dysphagia diet, simply thicken it to your IDDSI diet level.


Directions:

  1. Soften ice cream for 15 minutes and scoop into food processing bowl.

  2. Add SimplyThick EasyMix to food processing bowl.

  3. Process ice cream and SimplyThick EasyMix gel until mixed or particles in ice cream are thoroughly pulverized.

  4. Pour/scoop into individual serving dishes or one container suitable for freezing. Remove from freezer when ready to serve.


Click on the link below for complete instruction or watch our short tutorial!




 

Visit my TikTok Channel if you'd like to see more videos on how to thicken your favorites!


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