Since its debut in 1987, Thick-It® Original Food & Beverage Thickener has been a game-changer for individuals with swallowing difficulties and their caregivers. This cornstarch-based powder helps transform the texture of everyday foods and drinks, making them safer and easier to consume.
If you're new to Thick-It, you might be wondering how to best incorporate it into your loved one's diet. We'll explain what Thick-It does and share five practical, delicious recipes you can easily make at home.
Swallowing difficulties, medically known as dysphagia, affect an estimated 13.5% of the population, with a higher prevalence among seniors. Dysphagia can significantly increase the risk of serious health issues like:
Choking: Thinner liquids and certain food textures are more likely to enter the airway, leading to choking.
Malnutrition, Dehydration, and Weight Loss: Fear of choking or difficulty consuming enough food and liquids can lead to inadequate nutrient and fluid intake.
Aspiration Pneumonia: When food or drink enters the lungs, it can cause a bacterial infection and inflammation, leading to aspiration pneumonia.
Thick-It helps reduce these risks by modifying the consistency of foods and beverages, making them thicker and more manageable to swallow, thereby reducing the chance of aspiration.
One of the most common and crucial uses for Thick-It is in everyday drinks. Thickened beverages support proper hydration because they're easier to swallow and less likely to cause choking. Since Thick-It works in both hot and cold liquids, your loved one doesn't have to miss out on their favorite sips.
Ingredients:
Thick-It® Original Food & Beverage Thickener
4 ounces (½ cup) of your loved one’s preferred non-carbonated drink
Instructions:
Pour 4 ounces of the drink into a glass.
While stirring with a fork or whisk, gradually add the desired amount of Thick-It powder. Refer to the product label for specific measurements based on your desired consistency (nectar, honey, or pudding-thick).
Stir rapidly until the Thick-It powder fully dissolves.
Let the drink sit to reach its optimal thickness:
Water and juice: approximately 1 minute.
Thicker liquids (milk, nutritional shakes): 5-10 minutes.
Stir one last time before serving.
For the best taste and texture, encourage your loved one to drink the beverage within 30 minutes of preparation.
Caregiver Tip: Only mix Thick-It with non-carbonated beverages. It is not recommended for use with sparkling drinks like soda or seltzer water.
A balanced diet is key to good health, but some vegetables can be challenging to chew and swallow, especially when fresh. Creating a vegetable puree with Thick-It powder provides a smoother, thicker consistency that makes mealtimes easier and safer.
Ingredients:
1 quart of fresh or frozen vegetables (e.g., carrots, peas, green beans)
2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons margarine
3 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon vegetable broth
2 teaspoons Thick-It® Original Food & Beverage Thickener
Instructions:
Wash fresh vegetables thoroughly. Cook fresh or frozen vegetables until very tender.
Place the cooked vegetables and margarine in a blender or food processor. Blend until completely smooth, with no large chunks remaining.
In a separate bowl, heat the vegetable broth to at least 165°F (74°C). Whisk in the Thick-It powder until it's fully dissolved and smooth.
Let the broth and Thick-It mixture sit for one minute to thicken.
Add the thickened broth mixture to the pureed vegetables and blend again until well combined and moist.
Serve immediately.
Caregiver Tip: The moisture content can vary between fresh and frozen vegetables. You may need to adjust the amount of Thick-It powder to achieve your desired consistency.
Fresh, frozen, and canned fruits are nutritious and refreshing, but like vegetables, they can pose choking risks for individuals with dysphagia. Thick-It can help! A fruit puree made with Thick-It is easier to serve and less likely to cause aspiration.
Ingredients:
1-2 quarts of fresh, frozen, or canned fruit (e.g., peaches, melon, berries)
5 tablespoons - ¾ cup Thick-It® Original Food & Beverage Thickener (amount varies based on fruit's water content)
Instructions:
If using fresh fruit, wash and cut it into bite-sized pieces. If using canned or frozen, drain and place directly into a blender or food processor.
Blend or process the fruit until it reaches a smooth, pureed consistency.
Gradually add the Thick-It powder while continuing to blend or process until smooth.
Scrape down any fruit from the sides of the blender with a rubber spatula and blend for another 30 seconds to ensure even distribution.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl and serve.
Caregiver Tip: Don't hesitate to add more Thick-It powder if the mixture seems too runny. Achieving the perfect consistency often involves a bit of trial and error at first.
Scrambled eggs are a breakfast staple, but their often-runny texture can be a hazard for those with dysphagia. Incorporating Thick-It powder into the egg mixture before cooking adds volume and reduces the risk of choking, making this classic dish safer to enjoy.
Ingredients:
2-3 large eggs
1 ½ tablespoons milk per egg (whole, 2%, or skim)
⅝ teaspoon Thick-It® Original Food & Beverage Thickener per egg
1 tablespoon butter
Instructions:
In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and Thick-It powder. Let the mixture sit for 1 minute to allow the thickener to activate.
Melt butter in a frying pan over medium heat.
Pour the egg mixture into the heated pan. Scramble and cook until the eggs are set and firm.
Test the consistency. If the desired texture is achieved, transfer to a plate or bowl and serve.
If the eggs are still too runny, carefully add another pinch or two of Thick-It powder, stirring well, and continue cooking until thickened. Be careful not to over-thicken.
Who doesn't love ice cream on a hot day? Unfortunately, for many with swallowing difficulties, the rapid melting of ice cream increases choking risks. Thick-It powder can come to the rescue, allowing your loved one to safely enjoy this sweet treat!
Ingredients:
Thick-It® Original Food & Beverage Thickener
3 ounces (¾ cup) cold water
Ice cream
Blender
Instructions:
In a bowl, mix the cold water with the desired amount of Thick-It powder. Refer to the "usage chart" on the Thick-It label for the "extremely thick/pudding" consistency.
Rapidly stir the mixture with a fork or whisk until it's smooth and lump-free.
Let the mixture stand for 2-3 minutes until it thickens into a pudding-like consistency.
Take the ice cream out of the freezer and let it soften for 10-15 minutes.
Scoop the desired amount of softened ice cream into a blender and add the thickened Thick-It mixture.
Blend the ice cream and Thick-It until you achieve a smooth, consistent texture.
Pour the mixture from the blender into a bowl and refreeze until solid.
Remove from the freezer when ready to serve.
Caregiver Tip: Achieving the perfect consistency can take some practice. Don't be discouraged if your first batch isn't perfect! Consulting with a registered dietitian or another nutrition expert can help you master the use of Thick-It powder more quickly.
Incorporating food and beverage thickeners into your loved one's diet can feel overwhelming at first. Our friendly Care Team is here to support you every step of the way! They're fluent in English and Spanish and available to answer your specific product questions or help ensure you're using thickeners correctly.
Call us at (800) 696-CARE or email support@carewell.com.
As you age, the 50 pairs of muscles and nerves responsible for helping you swallow experience wear-and-tear. Over time, these changes can cause the muscles to atrophy, making it difficult to keep food or liquids down. Thickening agents help make consumption easy and hassle-free.
In this blog, we’ll provide a comprehensive overview of thick water, including what it is, who can benefit, and where to buy it.
Many seniors experience dysphagia—or difficulty swallowing—due to the natural aging process, neurological disorders, or cancer.
Medically Reviewed by Kiera Powell, R.N.
Chad Birt is a freelance medical writer who resides in Astoria, Oregon. When he isn't behind a keyboard, you can find him hiking, camping, or birdwatching with his wife Ella and their two dogs, Diane and Thoreau.
