Guidelines for Eating Out
With Swallowing Difficulties
Eating out in restaurants and in family and friend’s homes is a part of everyday living. When someone
has difficulty with swallowing certain types of food, this activity can become a challenge. This booklet
is intended to provide some general guidelines to follow when eating out with a person who has any
type of swallowing difficulties.
In General….

Be sure to follow all of the specific swallowing techniques which your Speech–Language
Pathologist has given you (e.g. turning your head to one side, double swallow, etc.) Also keep
in mind any dietary restrictions that have been discussed with your Dietitian.

Remember that restaurants can be crowded and noisy – try to plan your visit during a time
when the restaurant is quiet. This will reduce the chance of getting distracted during the
mealtime.

Remember to follow any positioning guidelines that you have been given, such as sitting as
upright as possible when eating.

Remember to eat slowly and take small bites or sips of food or liquid. Take your time to
swallow properly, and to enjoy your food and drinks.

Try to avoid talking during the meal until after you have completely swallowed your food
or drink. Swallowing and talking are difficult to coordinate.

Plan ahead when going to a restaurant. If possible, get one of the menus from the place you
are considering going to. Make your choices before going to the restaurant. Remember to
have a second choice ready, in case you are not able to order your first choice.
Diet Types
People with swallowing problems are often given modified diets. This is to prevent the risk of choking
or getting food into the lungs. You will see the names of three diet textures below that are commonly
used. Generally speaking, each diet level also includes the food items from the lower diet levels. For
example, a person on a Soft diet can usually have foods from the Minced and Pureed levels. Please
check with your Speech-Language Pathologist or Dietitian if you have any questions about your diet
level.
Pureed Diet
A pureed food has a smooth
texture with no lumps or chunks.
Pureed foods do not require any
chewing. Pureed foods hold
together well, do not crumble, are
not grainy, and stick to a spoon.
Examples include pudding, plain
yogurt, and mashed potatoes
mixed with gravy. Some pureed
foods can be thinner and do not
hold together well. These include
applesauce, baby food fruits and
some vegetables, and hot cereals
such as Cream of Wheat. Pureed
meats tend to be grainy, and may
not hold together well.
Minced Diet
This level contains food items that
are soft, moist, and easily
mashed with a fork. They are
often minced or chopped into very
small pieces (1/8 inch), about the
size of sesame seeds. Food is
not completely smooth but
requires only a little chewing.
Some examples are fork-mashed
ripe banana, well-cooked
spaghetti with tomato sauce,
canned fruit, or sandwiches with
“salad” fillings, well-cooked
vegetables, meatloaf or meatballs
well-moistened with gravy or
sauce.
Soft Diet
Soft foods are tender, wellmoistened, and chopped if
needed. They are not hard, dry
or crunchy. They may require
some chewing. Some examples
are casseroles with ground meat
and gravy/sauce canned fruits
and vegetables, soft meats, and
breads.
Thickened Liquids
The consistency of these liquids is thicker, and safer to swallow for
some individuals. A thickener must usually be used to get this
consistency, and there are very few that can be ordered in a
restaurant. If your diet includes thickened liquids, it is recommended
that you discuss this with your Speech-Language Pathologist or
Dietitian.
Thin Liquids
These are regular liquids, which
are very thin and do not stick to a
spoon. Examples are water,
juice, milk, pop, coffee and tea.
Here are some common examples of different diet textures found at some restaurants. This can help
to select appropriate foods when dining out. If in doubt about any item, ask your SLP.
Fast Food Restaurant (McDonald’s, Burger King, etc.)
Pureed Diet: No pureed items are available
Minced Diet: Pancakes with syrup mashed with a fork
Scrambled eggs mashed with a fork
Fish sandwich moistened with tartar sauce and mashed with a fork
Baked potato with toppings, mashed with a fork
French fries moistened with ketchup, mashed with a fork
Soft Diet:
Hamburger or cheeseburger (no bacon, lettuce, onion or tomato), cut up into
small pieces and moistened with ketchup, etc.
Chicken nuggets cut into small pieces, moistened with sauce
French fries or hash browns with ketchup
Family Restaurants (Smitty’s, Perkins, The Keg, etc.)
Pureed Diet: Oatmeal, Cream of Wheat cereal
Applesauce
Mashed potatoes with gravy
Thick creamed soups with no vegetable or meat chunks
Minced Diet: Eggs, any style, mashed with a fork
Meatloaf with gravy
Well cooked vegetables with sauce, mashed with a fork
Pasta with sauce, mashed with a fork
Fish, soft and well cooked, moistened and mashed with a fork
Soft Diet:
Meat Sandwich, with small meat pieces, moistened with sauce, with soft bread
pieces (avoid French bread, Kaiser buns, etc.)
Macaroni and Cheese
Turkey, Chicken or beef, cut into small pieces and moistened with sauce
Lasagne or other pastas, with extra sauce, cut in small pieces
Pizza with a soft, thin crust, with cheese and sauce only, cut into small pieces
Chili or soups without large chunks of meat or vegetables
Chinese/Asian Restaurants
Pureed Diet: No pureed items are available
Minced Diet: Soft, well-cooked fish or other meat, moistened and mashed with a fork
Soft noodles without vegetables or meat, moistened and mashed with a fork
Soft Diet:
Soft, well cooked vegetables or noodles
Steamed rice if well mixed with gravy or a sauce to hold together
Won ton soup with noodles cut into small pieces
Beverages
Thickened Fluids:
Some tomato, vegetable or nectar juices may be thick enough
Some milkshakes which remain thick while drinking
**All other liquids will require manual thickening**