Losing weight from swallowing issues can be experienced when sufficient calories are not eaten on a regular basis. This can cause weakness and reduce the ability to live an independent life. It can also be distressing and further reduce the ability to eat.
The European culture has often been centred on people being slim. But it is not something we always desire especially when it is combined with muscle loss.
However, losing weight due to swallowing issues is something that potentially can be managed.
Create the right environment
Some people find it hard to eat when they are tired. Being in the correct environment can also be a challenge. Eating with others and eating more slowly than them may result in feeling pressure to finish eating sooner, and therefore not eating as much as is required.
It may work to eat in front of the TV to reduce the pressure to eat more quickly – provided that this doesn’t distract from eating safely. Stan was a great fan of Andre Reiu on the TV at mealtimes.
Increase the calorie
Eating smaller portions with nutritional snacks throughout the day can help to boost the nutritional intake.
We found that looking at the nutritional label of food products was helpful. We could then choose foods with a higher kcal per 100g.
We discovered that adding dairy products such as cream, milk, eggs , butter or cheese to many dishes helps to boost the calorific content. Deserts can also be a good way to boost your calorie intake.
As always, check the consistency of the food after adding anything, at the temperature at which it is going to be eaten, to ensure its texture is in accordance with the appropriate IDDSI level for your swallowing issues.
Fortified Foods
We learnt that a favourite way to boost nutrition for many people is fortified milk. A pint of fortified milk has 570 kcal, 37g of protein, and is a good source of calcium and vitamins A&D
Fortified milk is made by adding dried skimmed milk powder, note this is not the same baby formula, to full fat milk. This milk can then be used to make coffee, other milk based drinks, porridge and milk puddings, etc. It is not recommended that it’s used in tea.
The link below from the NHS gives further information on food fortification.
Help to maintain a healthy body is available by contacting your doctors, dietitians, and speech and language therapists. They will be able to make a diet plan for you to maintain a healthy weight.
Losing weight due to swallowing issues is something that potentially can be managed.