Thickened Liquids: What are they? Why are they important?

People who have difficulty swallowing thin liquids usually must drink thickened liquids. Drinking thickened liquids can help prevent choking and stop fluid from entering the lungs. Thickened liquids move slower than thin liquids giving your body more time to protect the airway. Some liquids are naturally thick. Other liquids can be made thick with powders or gels.

Examples of thin liquids are: water, coffee, milk, soda, broth, Ensure, carbonated drinks, and ice cream. Examples of nectar thick liquids are: fruit nectars, milkshakes, egg nog, tomato juice, and cream based soups.

Tips for preparing nectar thick liquids:

1. Add the thickener packet to the liquid, and stir well for 20 seconds. Allow the drink to sit for at least 1 to 2 minutes to get the right thickness before serving or
2. If the liquid is too thick, thin liquid can be added to reduce it to a thinner
3. If the liquid is too thin, a small amount of thickener can be added. Do not “under thicken” liquids. It’s better to drink a liquid that is too thick than too
4. When thickening hot drinks, be aware that as the drink cools off, it tends to get
5. Carbonated drinks can be thickened (soda, Diet Coke). However, the drink will lose its carbonation through the stirring

Where to purchase thickening powder or pre-thickened products:

• Thickening powders can be purchased from local drug stores or directly from companies that make them. Some brand names include: Thick It, Thick n’ Easy, and Thixx. You can also purchase pre-thickened beverages such as juice and milk from certain companies. Below are a list of places where thickened beverages or thickening powders can be purchased:
  • CVS pharmacy (local drugstore, ask your pharmacist), Walgreens, Kroger, Wal-mart
  • Thick & Easy: hormelhealthlabs.com (external site) or call 1-888-617-3482
  • Med-Diet Laboratories; Dysphagia Diet: dysphagia-diet.com (external site) or call 1-855-397-7424
  • Simply Thick: simplythick.com (external site) or call 1-800-205-7115
  • Amazon: Amazon.com (external site)
    Type any of these options into the search bar on the Amazon website any of these example options: Thick-It packets, Thickner for liquids, Pre-thickened liquids, nectar thick
• This list is intended as a patient resource only. UMMC does not endorse or recommend any brand of thickener or supplier of these products over the other.

Nectar-thick Liquid Recipes:

Chocolate Milk

Mix in a blender:

• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup chocolate pudding (prepared)

People with diabetes: Use sugar-free pudding.

Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Banana Shake

Mix in a blender:

• 1/2 small banana
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter
• 3 tablespoons baby rice cereal
• 1/2 of an 8-ounce can of chocolate-flavored Boost or Sustacal

People with diabetes: Replace Boost or Sustacal with sugar- free Carnation Instant Breakfast (CIB).

Fruit Juice (any flavor)

Any flavor of strained fruit juice is already a nectar-thick consistency.

Maple, Pumpkin, Cinnamon Shake

Mix in a blender:

• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin pie filling
• 4 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 of an 8-ounce can of vanilla-flavored
• Boost or Sustacal

People with diabetes: Replace Boost or Sustacal with sugar- free CIB, and use diet maple syrup.

Mixed Fruit Juice Mix in a blender:

• 1/2 banana
• 1/4 cup canned or fresh pineapple
• 1/4 cup fresh strawberries
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice

Questions? Call UMMC Speech-Language Pathology 601-815-6064.

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