Moderately thick drink IDDSI Level 3

IDDSI is the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative.

Why do I need thickened drinks?

Thickened drinks may be used if you have difficulties swallowing thin drinks, for example water or any other drink that flows like water.

Thin drinks travel quickly through the mouth and throat. This can sometimes result in them ‘going the wrong way’. This is known as aspiration.

Thickening your drink can sometimes reduce the risk of aspiration by keeping the liquid together and slowing the movement of the drink in the mouth and throat to allow the swallowing muscles to ‘catch up’.

Not everyone needs their fluids thickened to the same consistency. How thick the drink needs to be depends on the person’s swallowing difficulty.

Thickened fluids should only be recommended after a swallowing assessment by a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT). Your doctor can prescribe the thickener for you.

What is a Moderately Thick Drink?

• A drink that can be drunk from a cup or taken with a spoon
• Cannot be eaten with a fork because it slowly drips through the prongs in dollops/strands.
• Effort needed to drink this through a wide diameter straw.
• It leaves a thick coat at the back of a spoon.
• Has a smooth texture with no lumps, fibres or seeds

Moderately thick drink IDDSI Level 3 preparation

• You need to use a thickening powder to thicken your drink.
• The thickener used in Addenbrooke’s Hospital is Resource ThickenUp Clear

STOP: Please note that if you are using a different brand of thickener, mixing instructions may differ – please check packaging for instructions and/or discuss with your SLT.

• It is important that all your drinks are Moderately Thick.
• If you are taking nutritional supplements the Dietician or Speech and Language Therapist would be able to advice you which nutritional supplements are available for your recommended drink consistency. Thickening nutritional supplements is not recommended.
• If you are taking any liquid medication, please discuss with your pharmacist if these can be thickened to the appropriate consistency or alternative options as appropriate.

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