Thickening drinks

[Scottoppy]

Hi all, My Wife has recently been having to have food and drink modified to account for her loss of swallowing facility. Has anyone found the best way to make a cup of tea thicker using Nestle Thicken-up that doesn't either create a multi layer soup or leave a sludge at the bottom or merely has floating thick lumps in normally thin drink. Any advise gratefully received.

[Lord77]

Hi I use Nestle Thicken up for my husband , I find that a scoop for one liter of water is good, but first you must dissolve it with small amount of boiling or very hot water mix vigorously with a fork then fill up with cold water and put a small amount of sugar free flavoring I then put a few ice cubes in , for a hot cup of coffee or tea I use just under half a scoop mix again first with hot water then fill up cup or small mug instant coffee or coffee can be put in cup or mug with thickener mix vigorously same with tea or tea bag , you still at times get a bit of thickness at bottom of cup but the actual cup of tea or coffee is fine just leave a small amount in bottom of cup . The trick is that it must be mixed with hot first and mixed vigorously. I hope this has been some help to you . God bless Pamela

[Scottoppy in reply to Lord77]

Thanks Pam we were told mix cold first then add hot, I will try your way next, cheers.

[BellaRooney]

I make the drink (tea) up as normal in a jug , put the thickener in the cup then slowly add the tea to the cup and stir for a while. It’s not perfect but seems to be slightly better this way!

[Rustington]

I follow the instructions on the tin - it works for me! If making a mug of tea for example, I use two cups - make the tea in the normal way in one, put 2 scoops of powder in the other, pour the tea onto the powder and then stir. I bought some of those small whisks (I think people use them for hot chocolate) and if the drink has gone lumpy, the whisk sorts it out. The key is pouring the liquid ONTO the powder and not the other way round. As an aside, I have also recently found the 'Innocent Smoothies' , which come in a small carton with a straw or in a bottle. For my husband they don't need to be thickened and he manages them well with a straw.

[Doublereeder]

Powder in the mug then add the tea then milk seems to work with a stir. I tend to use a teapot rather than the bag in the mug so it's less lumpy. However, would add a little boiling water to the powder, stir it then add teabag and top up.

For G& T, powder then gin then tonic then the ice & a slice!

Chin chin!

[Cuttercat]

Simply Thick is the best on the market! It melts and is tasteless. Try it instead.

Cuttercat

[ncgardener799]

Simply thick easy mix gel is so much easier to use, no lumps, no aftertaste , easy process to fix individual drink or make a large container for use as needed. It comes in individual packets or a large container with a pump. It is available in nectar consistency , and honey consistency. Right now my husband is doing well with nectar thickness. Saves me a lot of time and he likes it!! Another way to get water in is to crush ice into ice chips or smaller and feed small amount with a spoon. It was recommended by our Speech Therapist as a safer way to increase water intake without choking issues. Husband likes drinks very cold so he enjoys the ice chips .

[oilman1]

I tried using the thickener but my wife would not take it. She will receive thickened juices like peach nectar or pineapple juice though. I guess everyone is different. I do not push her to take things she does not want at this stage. The ice chips sounds like it may a good idea to keep form dehydrating.

[Sparkle57]

I'm new to this site as my wife was recently diagnosed with PSP, I'm puzzled by this idea of thickening liquids ? Is it supposed to be easier for them to swallow something a little thicker? my logic is telling me surely it's easier if thinner. Perhaps someone could explain - Thanks

[MRSYafffle]

I thought the same but it's because the thinner liquid rushes down the throat much quicker and can cause choking issues. That's what I was told anyway.

[Martina_MP]

The thicker liquids stay together more as a clump so that drops don’t fall ‘down the wrong way’ into the trachea. The difficulty swallowing with PSP is from poor coordination by the throat muscles, which is different from people with difficulty swallowing due to throat or esophageal narrowing—people with throat narrowing might do better with thinner liquids and foods. Of course no one wants to use thickeners until they are really necessary. Thick liquids don’t quench thirst and just aren’t as pleasant. However, they do still give the person effective hydration.

There are different kinds of thickeners. If the person doesn’t like one, try the others (and try them out yourself) because they really do help reduce the choking and coughing. Some are made with ‘modified food starch’ or cornstarch which can be pasty and grainy, but others which are clear (and in my experience, more palatable) such as ThickenUp Clear, Simply Thick, and Clear Dysphagaide are made with xanthan gum. To prevent clumping with the powdered thickeners, if you sprinkle the powder over the liquid rather than dumping the whole scoop / spoonful in, and stir immediately, vigorously, for a good minute, and let it sit for a moment then stir and stir while it thickens, it will not get the big tapioca-like clumps or sludge at the bottom. If the liquid does get clumpy, a whisk might help, or strain the lumps out. If you put it in a blender the thickened drink holds bubbles.