During the holidays, eating is as much about friends and family as it is about food. But when muscle weakness makes it difficult or impossible to eat by mouth, some shy away from coming to the table.
Nonsense, say those who’ve learned how to work around — or ignore — the social discomfort. Life’s too short to miss out on the fun. Below are adapted dining tips from therapists and people with weak muscles, along with a few easy-to-swallow holiday recipes that all guests can enjoy.
• Have your food cut up in the kitchen before serving (restaurants will do this too).
• Lightly toasted bread can be easier to swallow than untoasted; alternate bites with sips of liquid.
consistency fine enough to go through the tube without needing to be diluted with too much water. Some feeding tube users claim they can taste food eaten in this way.
• Use adapted tableware such as utensils with thick and/or angled handles, a “rocker knife” that cuts without a sawing action, and plate guards that snap on the side of the plate and make it easy to load up the fork.
• The “taste-and-spit” method allows enjoyment of special treats without swallowing.
• Puree roast, steak, fowl or fish, then mix with mashed potatoes (not instant).
Add half-and-half to desired consistency; reheat in microwave then add a couple pats of butter. Season to taste.
•
•
Don’t talk while eating.
Take small bites and sips, and swallow several times with each bite.
• Many foods can be blended and enjoyed with a large-sized straw; water supply tubing can be cut to the exact length desired.
• Puree ham with either peaches or sweet potatoes; use juice to thin. •
• Curry powder, Dijon mustard, garlic juice or garlic powder are excellent spices for canned, strained meats.
If eating is tiring, a nap before a big meal may yield more energy and increase safety.
• The Arm Thing by MTE helps get your hand to your mouth ( www.mtedevices. com).
• If milk causes excessive or thick mucus, use nondairy creamer.
The Arm Thing
• Use adapted swallowing methods, such as tilting the chin down while swallowing. For more, consult your MDA clinic team, a speech-language pathologist, or MDA’s online cookbook Meals for Easy Swallowing.
• Unless prohibited by another medical condition or medication, alcohol isn’t harmful to most people with neuromuscular disease. But alcohol’s effects may magnify existing problems with movement, coordination and respiration, and can lead to choking. Drink in moderation and in a safe situation with others around.
• “Glue” together dry or crumbly foods with applesauce, gravy, yogurt, pudding or pureed baby foods.
•
An industrial-strength food processor, such as the Vita-Mix 5000 ( www.vita- mix.com), can reduce any menu to a
References:
http://www.als-mda.org/publications/meals/
Archives