Please suggest food processor:

[Gobbsofjoy]

I’m having difficulty swallowing; and over time I’m losing weight because I’m eating less. I purchased a rechargeable food processor that lasted a week and then it bit the dust. I prefer something easy to rinse and clean by hand.

[kaypeeoh]

This will liquify anything. A long while ago a horse kicked me in my face and shattered my jaw. To many breaks for surgery so they wired my jaw shut for 3 months. I lived on yogurt mixed into orange juice. My wife got creative and managed to liquify a barbequed pork dinner. The secret is adding a lot of water.

ninja

[Gobbsofjoy in reply to kaypeeoh]

Thank you!

[Millbrook]

Vitamix blender does a really good job and lasts compared to other cheaper models. After going through 2 mid range blenders finally bit the bullet and bought vitamix.

[Gobbsofjoy in reply to Millbrook]

Thank you!

[Hidden]

Vitamix is very good, very easy to clean (1 drop dish soap, whiz, rinse). It is very powerful and loud, so it might be good to have earplugs on hand if you find the noise makes you nervous.

If you want an actual food processor, I can't say enough good things about Breville.

[Gobbsofjoy in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for responding!

[Dap1948]

I know your are asking for food processor advice but can I mention that singing strengthens the same muscles that are used for swallowing. It doesn’t matter what noice you make, it still strengthens the muscles! I sing along with the radio everyday for 5-10 minutes for this purpose. Problems swallowing is one of the subjects I cover in my book “Music as medicine, particularly in Parkinson’s”

[bookish in reply to Dap1948]

Helps the vagus nerve too. I sing, hum, and gargle enthusiastically.

[Gobbsofjoy in reply to Dap1948]

Thanks for reminding me I’ve not tried exercising my swallowing muscles for several months.

[Hidden in reply to Dap1948]

Thank you for this recommendation!

[Gobbsofjoy in reply to Hidden]

That is an excellent video thank you for sharing!

[Madame-Mango in reply to Dap1948]

Besides singing (I bought your book), I keep this "swallow stronger" exercises video for reference and refresher: youtube.com/watch?v=H4S1Afq...(Not working as expected?)

[bookish]

Not a processor, but it might be worth thinking about adding some digestion-free amino acids - you can take them out of the capsule and mix into a drink or yoghurt etc. I've been using Allergy Research/Nutricology Free Aminos for the last few years allergyresearchgroup.com/fr...

[Gobbsofjoy in reply to bookish]

Thank you!

[Thal]

I use a hand held electric blender (easy rinse) and large pyrex and or stainless steel bowl.

[Gobbsofjoy in reply to Thal]

Thank you!

[jujulini]

For the past 40 yrs, I have always had a Cuisinart. I just purchased my 3rd one. They last a long time, and come in several sizes. If you will be grinding small meals, like one meal at a time, you might consider a hank crank baby food mill. They are small, but work really well, are easy to use, easy to clean, and very inexpensive. I used one for my daughter, and would grind up whatever the adults were having. They dont look like much, but they work great. I think that they are worth a try, seeing that they are under $20. Ive included a link.

10babygear.com/best-baby-fo...

[Gobbsofjoy in reply to jujulini]

Excellent suggestions, thank you!

[Lizzy9]

Hello ~ first I want to say I’m the wife of a PwP. I’m the one who, off and on has swallowing issues. My remedy is exercise. I lay on the floor on my back and lift my head up off the floor and hold it there for as long as I can and count and repeat till I get up to 100, then 150, then 200. It usually takes several “reps” to get up to 100, 150, 200, etc. It takes a while to see results. But it does help me. Life can be a challenge even for the non-PwP’s so hang in there!!!

[Hidden]

An immersion blender or 'stick blender' may be convenient for smaller amounts. Cleaning is very easy, similar to Vitamix (whiz in soapy water, rinse). Using a tall-sided, narrow-diameter container is more efficient than using a bowl (mine came with a container).

[Gobbsofjoy in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!

[ForViolet]

I have a Vitamix but in my case, fibromyalgia/ME, even using the smaller container, It's hard to clean. It gets heavy and hurts my shoulder when I fill it partway with soapy water. But the motor is so strong it does a good job. That reminds me though, it's very loud, and I need earplugs.I would like to make smoothies but haven't for many weeks since it's just so hard to do.

I have a stick mixer and the tall mix container. The thing isn't nearly as strong as the Vitamix.

But a thought. Much easier (lighter weight) for me to clean.

[Hidden in reply to ForViolet]

I think the whiz with soapy water is really just an easy way to clean the blades and under the blades.

What about a rinse in the sink (to get the worst off), followed by enough soapy water to just cover the base of the blades? It probably wouldn't need more than 1/2 cup water. Then whiz real good and finish off with hand washing.

The Vitamix is a bit of a beast though and it IS heavy... but I hope this idea might work for you. Personally, the noise & powerfulness make me so nervous that I rarely use mine.

[ForViolet in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much.

Yes, me too. Last year was using it every day and then, I fizzled. I keep earplugs in a drawer, and the plunger thing there too. Okay. Maybe I'll just use it without replacing the thing to whiz it clean. Just rinse it.

Maybe do the real clean occasionally only.

[1LittleWillow]

I really love my little NutriBullet. I bought it at Costco in 2014, and it still runs like a champ (my kids use it too). It barely takes up any space in my cabinet, and it wasn't expensive. It came with different size blending cups, so I can make several different things each day without having to wash the cups in between (I throw them in the dishwasher at the end of the day). I don't have any swallowing issues yet, but I have a lot of issues with lack of appetite. I make nutrient-dense smoothies, and because they're cold and refreshing, they seem to go down easier than regular food.

[Gobbsofjoy in reply to 1LittleWillow]

Thanks for the suggestion.

[ForViolet in reply to 1LittleWillow]

We have the appetite thing too. I saw those at Costco. Yours sounds good. I vote for it.

[Hidden in reply to 1LittleWillow]

Me too! I’m curious about what you and others put in your smoothies? I just had a smoothie people may find revolting but it’s a staple of mine for health reasons. Frozen blueberries, greens / herbs (today was cilantro) , avocado, fish oil, lions mane powder, turmeric, black pepper, matcha powder, cacao powder and I whisk in cinnamon after blending. I chug it down and nutrient dense lunch is done.

I also use a nutribullet from Costco.

If you have any healthy ideas, please share!

I used to love to eat but not anymore. Now it’s a chore.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I was right there with ya until the chugging part.

Have you considered 'chewing' your smoothie to get the benefits of digestive enzymes?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Oh, I don’t know about that. I need to educate myself on that.

[Gobbsofjoy in reply to Hidden]

I wish I was more motivated. I use garden of life protein powder.

[Hidden in reply to Gobbsofjoy]

That is smart! Nutrient density is so important when you can't eat much.

Do please consider chewing your smoothies (or juices). The saliva produced while chewing contains digestive enzymes and you wouldn't want to skip this first step in the digestive process. We need to utilize as many of those nutrients as we can!

I'm sorry that I don't recall the details or science (learned it 40+ years ago).

[Gobbsofjoy in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the reminder.

[1LittleWillow in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I agree! I leave my smoothies a bit chunky, and I do chew as I go.

[rebtar in reply to Hidden]

Mine is nut milk, water, 2 cups greens (some combo of baby bok choi, kale, chard, cilantro, celery, parsley, tat soi), 1 cup berries, 1 kiwi with the skin on (good for constipation), prebiotics, cacao, mct oil (also helps to "move"), moringa powder. Sometimes an egg yolk, avocado or coconut cream. Before I drink water with apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and ceylon cinnamon...

[FawnLily in reply to Hidden]

Almond milk, orgain protein powder, misc frozen fruit, matcha, Ceylon cinnamon, sometimes cacoa powder, ground flax, chia seeds, sometimes greens, Natural Health Fruit Anthocyanins, tart cherry juice concentrate.

[1LittleWillow in reply to Hidden]

I don't really have any recipes or ingredients that I use every single time. I try to change it up with various fruits and vegetables, extras like beet powder, lion's mane, MCT, collagen powder, etc. I only use organic produce, and I usually just use water instead of dairy or dairy substitutes. I've read the other responses here, and they're all similar to what I do.

[Propertytyphoon]

Hi there, I just stumbled upon your post.

Wondered if this presentation by Dr. Corrine Jones of the University of Texas on these issues in PD (Swallowing Speech and Breathing) might help?

She did a Ted Talk on the same subject...

youtube.com/watch?v=30c-DZX...(Not working as expected?)

All the best

[Gobbsofjoy]

Thanks for sharing! I will check it out.

[jaybar]

Cuisinart. Always. They have many. Choose the one that will do what you need. It will probably do more. I’m a good writer. I swear by them. Some of mine are over 21 years old.