For many people, when the ability to swallow becomes more of an issue, a diet of ‘minced and moist food’ may be recommended by your healthcare provider.
Such a texture can be more appealing and appetising than puréed food.
In the IDDSI framework – level 7 is classed as regular Easy to Chew. When this become a problem to swallow it may be necessary to move to food that meets the requirement of the IDDSI Level 6 Soft and Bite-sized diet.
The IDSSI level 5 minced and moist diet sets out the texture for food that has been modified to make it easier to eat and swallow for people with swallowing issues.
Overview of IDDSI Level 5
For adults, pieces in the food must be no larger than 4mm by 15mm. As a rough guide the distance is about the distance inside the outer prongs of a fork is 15mm and the internal distance between the prongs is 4mm.
You can check if the food is consistent with the IDDSI ‘Minced and moist’ standard of the correct texture by performing the following tests: –
A spoon-flick test – you should be able to flick the food off a spoon.
Finger test – the food should be able to be squashed between your fingers.
The sauce the food is in has not to be too sticky to avoid it remaining in the mouth.
Full details of the Level 5 Minced and Moist for Adults together with links to the fork test can also be found by clicking on the link below ‘IDDSI Level 5 factsheet’, on the official IDDSI page
The main thing we discovered is it may not be necessary to purée regular meals to enable someone with swallowing issues to manage to eat. There may be other options, such as level 5 or level 6 meals that will help to present an appetising meal that is more enjoyable to eat.
The NHS produces to an excellent leaflet with great menu ideas and practical information. Please follow the link below
Please note, this site is NOT the official IDDSI website’ please visit the official website of IDDSI at www.IDDSI.org for the most current information and resources.