Summer Meals for Those Who Have Trouble Chewing & Swallowing

By Anna Hazard

Introduction

Here are an assortment of recipes for a entire meal based on fresh in-season summer produce, meats, and sea foods that are suitable for those who have trouble either chewing or swallowing normal whole foods.
 
The degree of blending or pureeing needed will vary depending upon the swallowing ability of the eater. In addition additional thickeners may need to be added to drinks and thinner sauces for those who have more severe problems with swallowing. In such cases produce that leaves behind tiny seeds (such as strawberries, raspberries, or even the addition of chia seeds) should be avoided entirely or strained before serving.

Chilled Soups & Gazpacho

• When the temperatures start to soar, a cold version of a meal staple such as a hardy soup or stew can be just what's needed to hit the spot. These chilled soups & gazpacho made from in season summer produce can be used as appetizers, mid-meal snacks, or even the main entree depending upon the serving size. Ingredients can be blended to a finer degree for those who have further trouble chewing or an extra thickener can be added to help those with dysphagia.
• Spicy Mangi Ginger Soup | Cantaloupe Soup with Mint | Creamy Watermelon Gazpacho | Spicy White Bean & Sweet Corn Gazpacho | Cold Cucumber Soup with Yogurt and Dill

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Summer Side Dishes

• These summer produce based sauces and mashes make excellent & healthy side dishes and condiments especially for those who may have trouble chewing and swallowing the whole version of the fruit or vegetable. Ingredients are all natural with no added sugar and with most recipes being dairy free as well. Further straining of seeds (especially when it comes to berries such strawberries & blueberries) or pureeing may be required for those with particularly severe forms of dysphagia.
• Summer Fruit Applesauce | Beets & Blueberry Mash | Potato & Summer Squash Mash | Pea Spinach Mash | Paleo Savory Cherry Sauce

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Soft Summer Entrees

• These salads use ingredients that are in-season during the hot summer months (including both produce and seasonal sea food & shellfish) and can be served chilled for an added extra bit of heat relief. Wild Sock-eye Salmon (Red Salmon) and shell fish are particularly recommended for their added nutritional benefits such as omega-3 fatty acids that lower triglyceride fats in the blood, slow down the growth of plaque in the arteries, and reduces inflammation throughout the body. For those with more severe swallowing problems, spreading the salads on breads or crackers should be avoided as well as other ingredients needing to be further pureed for a uniform silky texture instead of their normal chunkier ones.
• No Mayo Salmon Salad with Avocado | Crab Salad with Avocado and Tangerines | Mashed Shrimp with Green Beans | Avocado Tuna Salad | Creamy Lobster Mousse

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Deliciously Cold Desserts

• Here are an assortment of frozen or chilled desserts that will help you cool down during the worst of the summer heat. All recipes use in-season summer fruits as their bases with other healthy ingredients such as Greek Yogurt. Honey, maple syrup, and other natural sweeteners are recommended over refined sugars if the fruit isn't suitably sweet to one's taste. Ingredients can be blended or pureed further (including straining out smaller seeds like those found in strawberries) for those with more extreme cases of dysphagia.
• Raspberry Mousse | Mango Sorbet | Watermelon Pops with Greek Yogurt | Cantaloupe Sherbet | Cherry Soft Ice Cream Pudding

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Frosted Beverages & Drinks

• Here are an assortment of chilled beverages that incorporate in-season fruits & herbs in their recipes. There is a particular focus on smoothies over juices, shakes, slushies and other beverage styles as their smooth, thick texture is often the easiest to swallow for someone with dysphagia. For particularly severe cases, smoothies can be further blended with small berry seeds & other lumpier ingredients strained before serving. Thickeners can be added to more thin, watery drinks in order to make them easier to swallow.
• Blueberry Mint Green Smoothie | Summer Berry Smoothie | Triple Berry Banana Watermelon Smoothie | Watermelon Mint Lemonade | Simple Peach Cherry Smoothie