Medical Food & Drinks

The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework describes drinks in five levels: Level 0 thin, Level 1 slightly thick, Level 2 mildly thick, Level 3 moderately thick and Level 4 extremely thick. Foods run from Level 3 liquidised to Level 7 regular. Thicker drinks flow more slowly, giving a person with dysphagia more time to swallow safely. The correct level is prescribed by a speech-language pathologist after a swallowing assessment.

IDDSI uses a flow test with a 10 mL slip-tip syringe. Fill the syringe to 10 mL, let it flow for 10 seconds, then read what is left. About 1 to 4 mL left means Level 1 slightly thick, 4 to 8 mL means Level 2 mildly thick, and more than 8 mL (but still flowing) means Level 3 moderately thick. Ready-to-drink products such as HYDRA+ are made to a fixed level, which removes the variation of mixing powder by hand.

Pre-thickened drinks are made to a consistent IDDSI level at the factory, so every serving is the same thickness, which reduces the risk of mixing errors and saves staff time. Thickener powders and gels cost less per serving and can thicken any drink or soup, but the result depends on correct measuring, mixing and waiting time, since some thickeners keep thickening for several minutes. Many care homes use pre-thickened drinks for the most common beverages and thickener for everything else.

An oral nutrition supplement is a drink that provides concentrated calories, protein, vitamins and minerals for people who cannot meet their needs from food alone, such as older adults with poor appetite or people recovering from illness. Ensure Plus, for example, provides about 350 calories and 13 g or more of protein in a 235 mL bottle. Supplements are used alongside meals, not as a full replacement, and should follow a dietitian’s advice.

Texture-modified puree meals are full entrees and sides blended to a smooth, uniform texture with no lumps, matching IDDSI Level 4 pureed, for people who cannot chew or swallow solid food safely. Moulded purees, such as Trepuree, are shaped to look like the original food, which helps appetite and dignity at mealtime. They are portioned and frozen, so a care home can serve a consistent texture without blending each meal in-house.

Shipping is a flat $16.50 anywhere in Canada and free on orders over $199 before tax. Orders are processed in 2 to 3 business days (cut-off 10:00 AM MST, Monday to Friday) and Canadian transit takes 2 to 6 business days. We also ship to the United States, with duties and taxes shown at checkout. See the Shipping page for full details.