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Recipes for Easy Chewing & Safe Swallowing

Maxine Dereiko is a Registered, Licensed Dietitian, who for many years has recognized that additional information and materials were needed for people with swallowing problems.  In 1986 she co-authored: Swallowing Safely, Swallowing Nutritiously: A Manual for the Swallowing Impaired.  She has received many requests for recipes for use in these conditions.

Elaine Teutsch, a Registered Nurse, has for several years had chewing and swallowing problems related to Sjogren's Syndrome.  She has been adapting food, creating and modifying recipes and actually having fun in the process.   All the recipes have been prepared and taste tested by a panel.

The eating experience is an essential part of life.

Most of us never consider the possibility of not being able to eat or drink safely.  For the person who has difficulty chewing or swallowing, safety is never taken for granted.  The preparing of foods and liquids is a challenging task!  Chewing and swallowing difficulties are frequently a result of having conditions such as:

Stroke, Cancer of the mouth or throat, Multiple Sclerosis, Myasthenia Gravis, Parkinson's disease, Sjorgren's Syndrome, Post polio syndrome, Head and neck injuries/Surgery, Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis (A.L.S.), Huntington's Chorea, Temporomandibular joint syndrome (TmJ), Alzheimer's, Oral surgery and dental problems, other swallowing disorders.

Also, some medications may cause dry mouth and throat, and some respiratory problems may make chewing and swallowing difficult.

Suggestions, explanations and recipes are designed for the person at home, on their own or with a care giver:

• Tips to meet the challenge.
• Tips to make the challenge easier.
• Food thickeners.
• FoodWhat are food thickeners.
• Food preparation suggestions.
• Tips on how to puree.
• Suggestions for achieving the correct consistency for your needs in BOLD.