Drinks

If on a thickened liquid diet, smoothies are a great way to have a tasty drink! Typically, smoothies are considered IDDSI level-2 (mildly-thick) consistency and melt into level-0 thin liquid consistency. However, if you require a thicker consistency, there are ways to make that happen.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups frozen strawberries, plus optional fresh strawberries for garnish

• 1 cup milk, plus more as needed

• ½ cup whole milk Greek yogurt

• ½ frozen banana

• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions:

• In a blender, place the strawberries, milk, yogurt, banana, honey, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding more milk as needed to blend.

• Pour into glasses, garnish with fresh strawberries, if desired, and serve.

Products such as simply thick‍ allow for drinks to be thickened easily. They have small individual packets for quick on the go and larger bottles/pumps that can be used at home.

For our smoothie when it melts it will become a thin liquid. If you are in need of a thickned beverage stir one of these packets for a safe tasty drink.

Many people with dysphagia wonder how they will participate in social events. Having some recipes that you know will taste good with a thickner can help you feel more confident in these social interactions.

*Please check with doctor before drinking alcohol to ensure it is safe for you to do so.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries

• 1/4 cup vodka

• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (about 1 lime)

• 1 tablespoon simple syrup (adjust to taste)

• 1 cup ice cubes

Instructions:

• Add raspberries, vodka, lime juice, simple syrup, and ice cubes to a blender. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust the sweetness if needed.

• Use less ice if you notice it coming out chunky to ensure minimal to no chewing is required.

• Add in thickners to get drink to neccessary thickness.