The process of thickening liquids for people with swallowing issues doesn’t have to ruin their taste. With honey-based thickeners, it’s easy to follow a dysphagia diet without giving up the enjoyment of liquids like coffee, tea, and other beverages that can benefit from a drop of sweetness.
When to Use Honey-Based Thickeners
Of course, not every drink or dish will taste good with a honey based food thickener. Some savory dishes can benefit from less flavorful thickening agents. However, most pureed fruits, vegetables, and even carbohydrate-based meals taste better with honey.
Try using honey-based thickening agents for smoothies, juices, or dairy products like milk. For patients with a sweet tooth, almost any liquid can be improved by the addition of honey. Many dinner dishes also taste great with an extra dash of sweetness. Think of it like adding sugar to a pasta sauce.
Health Benefits of Honey
Unlike refined sugar, which can cause health problems, honey comes with all kinds of benefits. They can be particularly relevant for people managing conditions like diverticulitis in addition to dysphagia. Regardless of what underlying condition is causing a person’s swallowing and digestive issues, honey imparts a number of advantages.
1. Extra Antioxidants
Antioxidants are vital components of any diet, but it can be hard to get enough of them on a dysphagia diet. Honey contains phenolic compounds and flavonoids, two types of antioxidants that help to combat inflammation and oxidative stress, protecting the body’s cells from damage and lowering the risk of developing certain types of chronic diseases.
2. Natural Healing
Honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which make it a good remedy for soothing sore throats and coughs. Honey is also effective at promoting healing and reducing infection following injuries.
3. Added Nutrition
Raw honey, in particular, has an impressive nutritional profile. It includes bee pollen, which has immune-boosting properties and is rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Given that dysphagia patients are always trying to find ways to incorporate extra nutrients into their diets, honey is an exceptionally good thickener.
4. Diverse Flavours
People who pay enough attention already know that every type of honey is different. A robust Manuka honey is different from light, sweet clover honey. The diversity of flavor lets people choose honey that meets both health needs and personal taste preferences.
5. Allergy Relief
Local honey can be even more beneficial in that it can act as a natural aid for people who suffer from seasonal allergies. Consuming local honey helps the body adapt to the pollen sources found nearby, which can potentially ease allergy symptoms and bolster the immune system.
Alternatives to Honey-Based Thickeners
Even the sweetest solutions are appropriate only in certain circumstances. In some cases, honey-based thickeners aren’t the right solution for dysphagia meals. If a dish is really supposed to be savory rather than sweet, the taste can interfere. Plus, some dysphagia patients have reason to restrict sugar, even in natural forms.
When honey-based thickeners aren’t a good option, try to find a natural thickening agent that will not alter the taste of the food or liquid. High-quality, commercially available thickeners will work well without negatively impacting flavor, and they won’t contain known allergens, gluten, or other potentially problematic ingredients. Just be sure to buy from a reputable supplier of natural thickening agents.