Author: Amy Listermann, MS, CCC-SLP
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Spiced Maple Sweet Potato Casserole
Pureed (IDDSI Level 4) Completely smooth foods/extremely thick liquids with no lumps that hold their shape on a spoon and don’t require chewing. Creating meals that are accessible and flavorful is at the heart of my mission as both a speech-language pathologist and a cook. Each dish needs to be enjoyable for all, regardless of…
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5 Tools For a Modified Texture Kitchen
I love the flexibility of cooking. If you gave 10 home chefs the same request, I bet you’d come away with at least three completely different ways to tackle it. Technique is often the most critiqued aspect of the way that a person cooks, but within the “how” of the dish, there’s also a question…
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Fear of Swallowing: Understanding Anxiety at Mealtimes
Fear-based swallowing difficulties don’t appear out of nowhere. They’re learned. Maybe anxiety heightened your focus on the mechanics of eating, making every movement in your throat feel unnatural, exaggerated, or risky. Maybe you’ve started avoiding certain foods, textures, or entire meals just to sidestep the anxiety. If any of this sounds familiar, know that you’re…
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Ambrosia Salad
Minced & Moist (IDDSI Level 5) Soft foods that are finely chopped and held together with moisture so they don’t crumble or fall apart. Tropical fruit and citrusy sweetness mingle with a protein fortified whipped topping to bring chewing ease to this nostalgic minced and moist ambrosia. Ambrosia salad first gained popularity in the late…
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Honey Walnut Cream Dip
Pureed (IDDSI Level 4) Completely smooth foods/extremely thick liquids with no lumps that hold their shape on a spoon and don’t require chewing. As a speech-language pathologist and cook, I’m constantly inspired by the memories that food evokes. The flavors of baklava, with its roots in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, are filled with nostalgia…
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Pregelled Breads: A Key Technique for Safer Eating with Dysphagia
Bread is one of the most common comfort foods in the world, but it’s also one of the trickiest for people with swallowing or chewing difficulties. On its own, bread tends to crumble, stick, or form dry lumps that can be unsafe. That’s where the pregelled bread technique comes in. Pregelling transforms bread into a…
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What Is Dysphagia or Difficulty Swallowing?
Swallowing is something most of us take for granted, until it doesn’t feel easy anymore. For some people, eating can shift from an automatic, enjoyable part of the day into something that feels uncertain, uncomfortable, or even exhausting. The medical term for this is dysphagia, which simply means “difficulty swallowing.” As both a speech-language pathologist…
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Comfort Foods Without Surprises: Meals for Texture Sensitive Eaters
Have you ever pushed aside a dish because it felt off in your mouth? Maybe it was too stringy, lumpy, or unpredictable; you’re not alone. For many people, food isn’t just about flavor. Texture can make or break a meal. Sometimes it’s sensory sensitivity, sometimes it’s about comfort, and sometimes it’s just what feels easiest…
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Asian Chicken Broccoli Slaw
Minced & Moist (IDDSI Level 5) Soft foods that are finely chopped and held together with moisture so they don’t crumble or fall apart. This minced and moist (IDDSI level 5) Asian chicken salad is a delightful combination of savory and tangy flavors. Made with steamed broccoli slaw, tender chicken, and pregelled ramen noodles, it’s…
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Banana Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl
Rising and shining is easy when you’re breaking the fast with this naturally soft and bite sized (IDDSI level 6) and filling breakfast bowl. Add ins can help steer this recipe to any seasonal flavor profile and the natural sweetness and macro balance just make this a no brainer for adding to your family’s morning…